[Indiana] Poverty summit gets to work

from The Nortwest Indiana Times

NORTH TOWNSHIP: Service providers may share client information

BY SUSAN BROWN

HIGHLAND | Representatives of faith-based organizations rolled up their collective sleeves Friday during a workshop at Wicker Park hosted by North Township Trustee Frank Mrvan.

It was the group's second meeting since Mrvan launched an effort in January to coordinate efforts by his office and religious groups to better serve the poor and those facing emergency hardships.

At the time, Mrvan asked for historical barriers to be let down and independent action to be set aside in favor of operating under one umbrella. Some 36 church leaders attended that initial meeting where they were invited to acquaint themselves with not only the township's services but each other's.

On Friday, a mix of about a dozen church leaders and social service agencies got down to some real nuts-and-bolts by considering the adoption of common referral forms and consent waivers. Samples were developed by Dean Johnson of the trustee's office. Johnson also created a North Township Service Providers Directory, a nearly inch-thick comprehensive listing of service providers for potential distribution to the group.

Johnson said the trustee's office routinely uses such forms but many churches don't, resulting in some clients being able to go from church to church making the same request for aid.

Johnson suggested the adoption of "universal" referral and consent forms to help the churches and the trustee "get a handle" on such clients.

Mrvan said better tracking helps reduce fraud, but even more so prevents duplicating services, which opens up resources for more clients.

The group also discussed other measures such as encouraging churches to "adopt" a single family, in effect becoming its case manager. Clients would be assisted with not only immediate emergencies, such as a utility shut-off, but longer-term aids, such as learning how to develop and stick to budgets.

In compiling the service providers directory, Johnson said he had been "shocked" at learning the wide array of services offered by the area's social service agencies and churches.

Among them is a local chapter of the nationwide Love INC (for In the Name of Christ). That group not only helps with rent, utilities, gas, meals and medication, but serves as a clearinghouse for many of the area's churches. Currently available only by phone, the group is in the process of opening a storefront office.