THE VOICE OF THE TOWNSHIP
Strengthening Our Community Through Cooperation
We here at the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office recognize that the needs of our community cannot be met by only one agency. There are many organizations that make up that fabric of social service, and recent years national policies have shifted to recognize the value of charitable and faith-based organizations that work with government. With an ever-expanding indigent population, the coordination of services is essential to maximize the available resources.
I would like to highlight some of the events where the Wayne Township Trustee’s Office and other agencies joined together to serve the public.
The Utility Summit Meeting – At least once per year, the utility service providers meet to share program information, maximize resources and form stronger agency relationships.
By simply keeping the lines of communication open between agencies, the duplication of services is reduced, the actual needs of the community are more clearly defined, and important changes in qualifications are shared so those in need are assisted more quickly. The most valuable outcomes of this collaboration are that Federal and State resources are used first prior to local funding, and clients are better coordinated in processing so that they can address root causes of their temporary in need status.
Veterans Standown – An annual event partnering Wayne Township Trustee’s Office, Healthy Cities, IPFW, Allen County Board of Health, VA Hospital, Matthew 25, American Cancer Society, Ivy Tech State College, Neighborhood Health Clinics, Park Center, Parkview Hospital, Plymouth Church, St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, UAW Local 2209, University of Saint Francis, VA northern Indiana Health Care System and the Vincent House. The Standown provides services for homeless veterans and all those un-domiciled and indigent members of Fort Wayne. Services include immunization for flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis A&B. Health screening are also provided for blood /sugar/ pressure, cholesterol, TB, HIV, syphilis, sickle cell anemia, depression, osteoporosis, dental vision and cancer. Free winter clothing and personal hygiene products are also provided. The most valuable outcome of this partnership is that by identifying and addressing the health and homeless status of participants at this event, vast resources will not be needed in the future.
Workfare Agency Meetings – Wayne Township Trustee’s Office and all the agencies that utilize the workfare program discuss problems, concerns, and questions. This allows for the efficient administration of in-kind labor for the not-for-profits in our area. The most valuable outcome of this unique partnership is that the labor savings for the agencies involved are passed along to those community participants in the form of direct services. We have also seen many of the clients develop valuable job skills from this partnership.
Social Service Network – A meeting of local environmental needs providers at which Trustees, churches and other organizations share program information and referral procedures to minimize the “runaround” of clients seeking assistance. This smaller more informal group includes the majority of our most dedicated partners who meet over lunchtime to work out the small things that help people get immediate results and set this community apart from all others.
FWHA Program Coordinating Committee – Area social service agencies meet to share program information and discuss interim disbursements of the Fort Wayne Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The outcome of this specialized committee is to help clients take advantage of opportunities that present themselves and allow the client to spend their housing dollars more wisely.
Emergency Housing Task Force – Transitional housing providers meet to discuss trends in homelessness and coordinate available bed space. The outcome of this coordination is that negotiated low cost housing is used which allows funding for homelessness to cover a greater amount of people.
Wayne Township Trustee’s Office Ministerial Outreach – Wayne Township Trustee’s Office has sent invitations to over 400 churches inviting the ministers and benevolent officers to the office. We understand that churches are inundated with people asking for money. Some of those individuals are…reckless with the truth. We wanted to share with the ministers what programs we offer and provide them with applications that they can give to their parishioners who may need assistance. We also provide them with an avenue to inquire regarding persons who request monetary assistance from them. We are keenly aware that scam artists have taken advantage of the benevolent mission of places of worship in our area. We want to help ensure that your munificent dollars go to those truly in need. We also learn a great deal from the almost 200 clergy who have accepted our invitations. We even partnered with Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Waynedale to put on a senior services fair and discount drug card sign up.
Wayne Township is one of the many agencies in our area that provides service to those in need. By meeting regularly and sharing information and eligibility criteria, we lessen the amount of “runaround” routinely experienced by our clientele. Creating accessibility to services is just as important as providing those services and fits well within our mission statement “guardian of the taxpayer advocate to those in need.”
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