2016 AIRS CONFERENCE Wednesday, May 25th Building Human Service/Faith Community Collaborations to Meet Crisis Needs and Coordinate the Human Service Response Following a Disaster

Our Presenters Rev. Tim White, Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ; Co-Chair, Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs Emily Robbearts, Executive Director, United Way of Adams County Tim Miller, Community Resources Associate, United Way of Adams County; Co-Chair, Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs

History and Background The Great Flood of 1993 500 year record flooding Impacted west central IL / northeast MO Unmet Needs Committee Model for disaster response and recovery Allowed faith community to take a new role in disaster response and recovery

Organizing principles/assumptions The need was greater than any agency, organization or donor could adequately address Working together was more efficient, cost effective, and productive than working individually All members of the committee were expected to provide assistance based on their own guidelines and criteria Working together would minimize duplication of services Sharing information ensured accountability

Unmet Needs mission extended beyond disaster Responding to poverty issues an overwhelming problem in Adams County County population of 67,524 One in five children live below poverty level Underemployment results in financial instability Unmet Needs – model to effectively address safety net, crisis and poverty needs Mayor of Quincy convened a meeting of social service providers, government agencies and the faith community to launch a coalition United Way asked to take administrative lead

United Way’s I & R role in Adams County UW HelpLine in operation for over 25 years HelpLine referrals available by phone, face-to-face and online via UWAC website Offers community service navigation for clients and social service professionals UWAC an AIRS member with staff certified by AIRS

Value of UWAC as backbone support for Unmet Needs Consistent staff support fosters collaborations across social service sectors Interagency Council Adams County VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) Strong partnerships with the faith community Opportunity to regularly communicate with key stakeholders Front line social service providers Ambassadors within the faith community

Value of UWAC as backbone support for Unmet Needs Serving vulnerable population provides first-hand exposure to critical needs in the area Strengthens UWAC relationships with partner organizations UWAC supporting their work, not duplicating efforts UWAC reputation ensures accountability which builds trust with donors / grant makers

The Quincy Area Partnership for Unmet Needs today 18 social service agencies and providers Identify clients in need 18 faith community partners Offer financial assistance from benevolence or mission funds Trust and collaboration exist among members Administrative support from UWAC Convene / coordinate meetings Orient new members / representations Maintain documents / records Coordinate donations / disbursements Social service agencies identify clients through their programs. Faith community comes alongside of clients and social service agencies to offer support through financial assistance. Highlight the trust and collaboration that exists among social service and faith community

Guidelines and Policies All available assistance exhausted before a case could be brought to the committee Clients sign a release of information allowing the committee members to freely share information Case prepared and presented by a trained case worker Churches are not obligated to fund any case Assistance is provided base on documented needs and the assistance has to provide a path to self-sufficiency

FY2015 - $30,929 direct assistance impacting over 250 individuals Impact of Unmet Needs FY2015 - $30,929 direct assistance impacting over 250 individuals Bus Passes, Car Insurance/Repair, Gas Vouchers, Home Repair, Household Appliances, Medication, Rent/Mortgage, Utilities Special projects as able

Financial sustainability of Unmet Needs Faith community provides an average of 44% of funding for cases each year General committee funds available due to grants and other donations Designated funds earmarked for disasters Funds donated to Adams County Unmet Needs has sent funds to other disaster committees It feels misleading in that we say the faith community only provides 44% of the funding. I realize that number gets skewed because of special projects (back-to-school Fair, air Conditioners, meal packing event, bus passes  and cases outside of committee) However we rarely spend committee funds in committee on cases anymore.     The true picture is without the faith community our funds would quickly dry up and we would not have a reason to meet. Somehow it feels disingenuous.  Our model is not sustainable without motivated funding partners (which we have found in the faith community). 

Unmet Needs a proven best practice Collaboration with social service agencies and the faith community model has become a best practice for delivery of assistance to those in need Pike County Unmet Needs (Pittsfield, IL) Marion County Care Net (Hannibal, MO) Tri-County Long Term Recovery (Peoria, IL)

Questions? Thank you!