The K-21 Health Pavilion was the host site for the fifth session of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy this year.
Rich Haddad, K-21 Health Foundation president and CEO, welcomed the group by explaining the K-21 Health Foundation was born from the sale of Kosciusko Community Hospital. Controversial at the time, there were several conditions of the sale which resulted in meeting several medical needs of the community, including the Cancer Care Center, the Women’s Center and additional added services.
Haddad went on to explain the K-21 Health Pavilion idea started as a KLA white paper analyzing the needs and possibility of housing health care and social services under one roof. The K-21 Health Pavilion currently houses Women, Infants, & Children; Heartline, Teens and Tots; BABE; Home Care & Hospice; Dental Assistance; Prescription Assistance; Kosciusko County Health Department, and other related agencies. The addition of the Help Center provides direction to those in need of services.
Haddad was thanked for the use of the meeting room and for providing breakfast for KLA.
This KLA session focused on the local, state and national agencies involved in social services.
Michelle Boxell, community relations manager, explained the local role Cardinal Services plays in giving dignity back to those they serve. There are 13 programs available including Healthy Families; Head Start; Group Homes; and support for people with disabilities or challenges. One of the main focuses of Cardinal Services is to help disabled and challenged individuals prepare, gain employment and earn money. There are classroom programs, supported employment, sheltered work opportunities, and supported living programs, among others, offered to achieve these goals. The unemployment rate for disabled individuals is 78 percent.
Indiana Department of Child Services was represented by Erin Shidler, director. The main goal of this government organization is to protect Indiana’s children and help families in crisis.
Indiana statute requires “an individual who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect shall make a report … to the department or local law enforcement agency.”
Abuse is defined as physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, exploitation and/or serious endangerment.
Neglect is defined as a chronic inability, refusal or neglect to supply basic needs of a child such as food, clothing, medical care, shelter, education or supervision.
In the majority of cases, people lack the resources and education necessary to provide the proper care. The goal is to keep the child “safely” in their home or with relatives, as removing the child also causes trauma. “Children are one third of our population, but 100 percent of our future,” according to a quote Shidler once heard.
United Way is a national organization, with a strong local presence. Patricia Coy, executive director, United Way of Kosciusko County, explained the governance of the local organization.
Local United Ways are affiliated with the worldwide agency but utilize local values when making funding and allocation decisions.
There are three main areas of focus: education, income and health. Within each of these areas specific measurable goals have been established. There are currently 52 programs funded by United Way. All funding policies and decisions are made by a volunteers (board of directors and community members) – all of whom live and/or work in Kosciusko County. Ninety cents of every dollar donated is used to support local programs.
The next KLA session “Presentation Skills Seminar” will be Nov. 6.
