KLA Learns About Human ServicesKosciusko Leadership Academy met Tuesday at the Cardinal Services Training Center to learn more about human services in Kosciusko County.
Those attending learned about the role of Cardinal Services, the United Way and the Department of Child Services of Kosciusko County in providing human services.
Guest speakers were Jane Greene, president/CEO of Cardinal Services Inc.; Patricia Coy, executive director of United Way; and Peggy Shively, director of the DCS.
Greene spoke on the many services and programs Cardinal Services provides. These programs range from children's programs such as Head Start to Kosciusko Area Bus Service.
She explained that the mission of the organization is to support people with challenges or disabilities in reaching their personal goals and stressed that, "We don't want to recreate what already exists".
Greene shared that they serve 170 children on a daily basis in the Head Start program and 45 children daily in the Early Head Start program. Greene ended by sharing that they could use more funding, job leads, mentors, volunteers and ambassadors.
Shively followed by explaining that DCS serves children who are at risk of abuse or neglect. She informed the group that lately the Child Services caseload has been largely driven by methamphetamine and said a "real concern is that meth labs aren't in the woods anymore, they are next door".
Shively related that some of the types of cases or situations they handle include child placement, adoption, intervention and reunification of children and their parents. She shared that they work closely with Court Appointed Special Advocates, which gathers information on situations involving children and who make recommendations to the court.
Coy wrapped up the human services session. She explained that United Way campaigns year-round and that the campaigns are the tool for them to do what they do in the community, stressing that "92 cents out a dollar goes back to the community".
Coy shared on several of the programs they have funded: the 211 phone system, the Volunteer Kosciusko website, Day of Caring, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the KRBC website, among others.
She explained that the 211 program is a database of agencies that can help people with a variety of needs from utility assistance to food relief.
Coy went on to share about the Volunteer Kosciusko website, that lists different volunteer opportunities in the community; and the Day of Caring that involved 117 projects last year. Day of Caring helps those living in the poorest conditions and need help. Past projects have included gardening, yard work, building wheelchair ramps, repairing roofs, etc.
Coy announced an upcoming Children's Oral Health program through the schools, tentatively scheduled for August.
