Working Collectively to have a Greater and Longer Lasting Impact on Children and Families

Written by:  John Brandon, President of MCCOY

The recently released Annual Child Fatality Report from the Indiana Department of Child Services for State Fiscal Year 2011 tragically underlines the importance of the twin strategies of prevention and early intervention to safeguard the lives of Hoosier children.  When looking closer at the circumstances surrounding the  40 child deaths that occurred in FY 2011, the report states:  “a pattern of stress factors was …revealed, with low income being a risk factor in 75 percent of both abuse and neglect cases…..Additionally, substance abuse was a risk factor in 43 percent of cases and domestic violence was a risk factor in 33 percent of all cases…..These findings indicate societal/community level issues that affect parents and can contribute to the increased risk of child abuse or neglect in the home.”  In other words, poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence killed 40 children in Indiana in 2011---and all those issues—and who knows what number of future child deaths-- ARE preventable.
 

It is not that we don’t have support services in place; in fact we have many very effective ones.  The Neighborhood Alliance for Child Safety operated by Children’s Bureau, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, and the Nurse-Family Partnership initiative of Goodwill all provide parental guidance and support. Fairbanks Hospital and Midtown Mental Health are just two of the substance abuse prevention and treatment programs available.    Our network of neighborhood-based community centers provides basic needs, family support, and employment skills training to help raise families out of poverty and to self-sufficiency.  However, these important prevention services are not always readily accessible and available to the families and the children that need them the most.  And the Annual Child Fatality Report clearly shows when children and families fall through the gaps in the safety net, there are often fatal consequences.
 

To close those holes, the Early Intervention Planning Council (EIPC) of the City-County Council is focusing on developing a center which will provide multiple services to vulnerable families in a single location in one of the highest need areas of our city.  Led by Marion County Commission On Youth, Inc. (MCCOY) which is working closely with a number of key partners, this co-located services center will offer families and children physical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, legal services, employment and financial skills training, and connections to other supportive services that a family or individual might require. 
 

It is our goal to build a center where vulnerable and shattered families get many needs addressed without having to travel from place to place; where a variety of service providers work together seamlessly; and where families are treated holistically and are restored to health and put on the path to growth and success.  We know that stand alone services sometimes are not enough since families are often struggling with a number of challenges and barriers.  But by offering a variety of services in one location that are integrated,  well coordinated and prevention focused, those service providers will work collectively to have a greater and a longer lasting impact on children and families.  The co-located center will see increased numbers of families served and have better results; contribute to the strength of the neighborhood and the revitalization of the surrounding area; and, in both the short and long terms, save the taxpayers of Marion County money by preventing youth and families from entering our much more costly public systems.

  

To learn more about the Co-location of Services project, visit our website—http://www.mccoyouth.org/intervention/co-locationofservices.html or contact Shanna Martin at 317-921-1233 or at shanna.martin.mccoyouth.org.