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Dane County Department of Human Services |
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Our Partnerships and Collaborations
Description | Featured Partnerships and Collaborations Description
Addressing the health and human service needs of residents in Dane County requires drawing upon the wisdom, work, and resources of all sectors of our community, both public and private. Dane County is fortunate to have a myriad of dedicated funding bodies, organizations, and volunteers who work together to tackle the issues facing some of our most vulnerable residents. The partnerships and collaborations run the gamut from joint efforts by the City of Madison, Dane County, Madison Metropolitan School District, United Way of Dane County, and others on the community assessment of health and human service needs to partnerships with local organizations to address specific issues, such as with Seal Dane - a school-based dental sealant program, funded by Meriter Health Services and the Meriter Foundation.
The following is just a sampling of some of the partnerships and collaborations of which Dane County Department of Human Services is a part. Allied Early Childhood Initiative - The Allied Drive Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) brings services to children and families in Madison's Allied Drive neighborhood. The ECI focuses on children (ages birth-to-four), and their parents, in families in which parents may experience income, housing, job readiness, parenting skills, alcohol and other drug abuse, or mental health issues, or other issues. The ECI strives to increase families' access to prenatal care, health and developmental screening and assessment, parenting education and support, immunizations and other preventative health care, basic needs assistance, and employment related assistance. This is accomplished by support of a Family Support Specialist who delivers Home Visitation services, a neighborhood Resident Partner who providers mentoring and other assistance, and an Employment and Training Specialist who works with parents and caregivers to overcome obstacles to employment. The ECI is supported by Dane County, Madison Community Foundation, and Wisconsin Partnership Fund monies. First Steps - The First Steps initiative promotes healthy children, families, and community in the Dane County portion of the community served by the Wisconsin Heights School District. Examples of the rural northwestern Dane County communities served include Black Earth and Mazomanie. First Steps is focused on all families who are expecting a baby, have a newborn, or have pre-school age children. The initiative seeks to link participants with information and parenting education, as well as, engage parents in an effective community support network. Family support specialist and public health nursing services are available to those who wish to participate. Participants are encouraged to use the School District's two family resource centers as well. There is no fee for services. Community partners include the Joining Forces for Families Initiative and the Public Health Division of Dane County Department of Human Services, Wisconsin Heights School District, Exchange Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Inc., Children's Service Society of WI, Meriter Hospital, Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, parents, the faith community, local businesses, and others. Joining Forces for Families - Joining Forces for Families (JFF) is a voluntary, community-based, supportive service that helps families address their basic human needs. By quickly linking clients to resources, JFF often keeps families stable and deflects them away from costly formal system interventions. The JFF program encourages cooperation between agencies in caring for families. JFF uses the combined talents and resources of the Dane County Human Services Department, public health, county and local law enforcement agencies, school districts, human services organizations, and residents to support the success of children, youth and families in home, school and the community. JFF has 25 teams involving staff from a variety of organizations delivering services at 15 site locations around Dane County. For services: Visit our Joining Forces for Families Locations page and then call or visit your local JFF office. If you have any questions as to which JFF area you live within, please call (608) 242-6388.
For more information, contact:
G.P. Foster, Deputy Director
For more information on Language Services, please visit out Language Services page. |
Copyright © 2006 Dane County Department of Human Services
