Action Projects Related to Families In Crises

• CommunityResourceDirectory
• FamiliesinCrisesTaskForce

Results of Community Interviews, Surveys, and Conference

Short Term Action

• Develop community resource guide and distribute to churches, schools, and other groups who encounter families in crises
• Develop a team to increase cooperation and collaboration to increase the efficiency and reach of Christmas benevolence efforts
  • Angel Tree Project - Magnolia Housing Authority; Salvation Army; Columbia County Foster Children Christmas; Columbia County DHS office; Jr. Charity League; individual churches, groups, businesses

Medium Term Action

• Improve opportunities for participation in Community Connections for those who are committed to local missions to families
• Develop broad support for the Southern Christian Mission plan including location of the center and funding for capital development
• Increase awareness of opportunities and training for foster parenting and child welfare volunteers
• (Support front-line workers in child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, drug court, and other court workers by donating incentives for client behavioral interventions.)
• SAU/IV-E Academic Partnership for Public Child Welfare Resource Conference in Spring 2005 invites churches and others in mission and service to learn about the resources that are available to help families in crises.

Long Term Action

• Network and research into ways to address access barriers and obstacles to utilizing existing crises and treatment services
• Increase collaboration, cooperation, and coordination between agencies and groups who work with families in crises
  • Law enforcement, child welfare, schools, hospitals, ambulance service, court
• Begin research into model programs, feasibility, and funding streams for crises and treatment services that are not available or experiencing shortages
  • Domestic violence, rape
  • Wraparound services for at-risk children
  • Medical services for uninsured
  • Support for caregivers of elderly and seriously ill
  • Poverty and financial crises