1	Where Do Parents Go When Kids Go Wrong? Robin Jenkins, Ph.D.
2	Goals of an Integrated Community Network of Services Comprehensive (as much as resources allow) Accessible Time (including family-friendly scheduling) Place (distributed where folks can get there, & sometimes where they cannot) Cost (affordable) Relevant Match needs/missing assets to resources – one size does not fit all!
3	What Does Your Current Network of Services/Communications Look Like: Disorganized Partially organized Organized Over-organized (too rigid and ultimately not functional) Why? What’s Needed? So Phase 1 = Community mobilization, or how to get your community to energize itself around building a better network Phase 2 = Parent Education, or how to inform consumers where to get what types of services, for what costs, and in what situations…
4	Let’s Look At Your Network of Program Options and Services…The M.O.D.I.F.Y. Approach
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6	Agency/Service-Focused vs. Consumer-Focused – Check your Community’s Values Driven by funding stream Traditional work hours and locations Often not linked to needs assessments or asset inventories Often not linked as well to client outcomes in specific, measurable ways
7	What Parents Look For in Strong Community Service Networks (what we hope to accomplish: Comprehensive plan (flow of services makes sense, and information flows well from 1 agency/program to another with minimal paperwork & other barriers) Knowledge of, and documentation of, both formal and informal channels of getting things done Family-consumer focus Driven by consumer outcomes, not agency outcomes Control over, and flexibility around access points – perhaps the most critical of these positive attributes! Multiple entry and delivery sites where consumers can get information about programs/services, and enter services without duplicating applications and other information where feasible
8	Organize (Re-Organize) Find The Key Access Points – I (document how children / youth usually come into care; and how you may be able to distribute info about services) Schools – Teachers, student support staff (guidance, school social workers, nurses, psychologists, etc.) Principals/administration SRO’s -- & Safe Schools Coordinators Coaches/athletic team supervisors Parent involvement/advocates (volunteers) Churches – pastoral organizations, out-of-school time programs, typical church programs
9	Key Access Points - II Other child care programs Parks/recreation programs Law enforcement Family – direct inquiry / referral Other social services and public assistance agencies, neighborhood groups (e.g., Community Collaboratives, Advocacy Groups, neighborhood watch groups, etc.)
10	Deploy (Get Service Network Info Out There) Use key access points discussed earlier Build a master list for/from key access points – County public services Local municipal services Private human services Faith services/groups Community associations, advocacy groups / voluntary associations (see example list), and….. Informal networks (e.g., grapevine groups)
11	Inform: Spread Information Strategically and Thoroughly (sample worksheet)
12	Focus: Start Where Youth / Children & Families Are Most Likely to Need Services Info Using your county JCPC needs assessment and other data collection strategies and tools, identify your highest priorities for getting your information out – and, your highest priority methods and strategies for how to make it really happen You’ll have to go with the broadest impact with the most efficient use of resources – use volunteers where feasible and practicable!
13	Early or “Diversion” Program Options- Let’s Work An Example Let’s take “at-risk” youth, intake diverted or early probationer youth and think about the kinds of services you’d like to see in your communities: Boys/Girls Clubs, with specific participation objectives Teen Courts, Family Group Conferencing, Community Mediation, etc. Community home monitoring using volunteers, telephonic monitoring, and social contracts Faith-based programs After school, tutoring and/or recreation programs Mentoring Alternative schools with counseling added as needed Behavioral health (counseling, medications, family preservation or home-based services) Community service, restitution and community service learning programs And many, many more….
14	Yearly Updates/Modifications At least annually, re-evaluate your key access points, association lists, and marketing strategies. You may want or need to shift priorities in terms of who is getting information and/or updates You will need to update printed / web materials, keep them fresh Finally, you will want to evaluate, if possible, how well it is going – are enough locations, groups and consumers getting the information? Is it complete and updated? Does it cover the relevant questions (e.g., locations, costs, transportation provided, work hours, etc.?) – again, you can use volunteer groups to check on distribution sites to ensure that materials are kept on file, updated, and that consumers are using them