CARING COUNCIL TABBED BY STATE AS PROTOTYPE PROGRAM

The Missouri Department of Social Services has designated the Cape Girardeau Community Caring Council for one of five prototype sites in the state that will attempt to improve coordination between agencies involved with children and families.

State Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, founder of the caring council, said the designation was made here because the goals of the prototype program and the council are virtually the same.

The caring council has been operating for four years and has more than 40 different agencies involved.

"This is just another step we have taken toward having the total community addressing needs of families and children," said Kasten at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

She was joined by other members of the caring council's board of directors.

"This is something truly exciting for Southeast Missouri," said Shirley Ramsey, president of the board. "We are delighted to have the state look at us and recognize our program."

Ramsey stressed that the council has been successful in serving all sectors of the community and bringing about unprecedented cooperation between agencies.

Walt Wildman, a member of the board, praised Kasten for her efforts to get a prototype in Southeast Missouri. He noted that initially there were only going to be four sites in the state, however, Kasten was able to convince the social services department to include Cape Girardeau.

"The other four sites would do well to look at this group," said Wildman. "We're ahead of the other people."

Jim Davis, who is with the Missouri Division of Youth Services and another board member, pointed out that the prototype's goal "is to keep families together."

Davis and others stressed it is more economical and effective to deal with problems in the home, rather than having to house children in state facilities.

"The prototype is to divert children from out-of-home treatment," added Dennis Reagan, director of the Cape County Division of Family Services and a member of the board.

Several board members stressed the role the council plays in eliminating duplication of services and improving referrals between agencies.

The board of the Community Caring Council will also become the board of a newly formed Family Investment Commission, which will be the prototype group.

The prototypes are set up for five years, though funding will be allocated on an annual basis. So far, the local group has requested $25,000 for the first quarter of this fiscal year, which began July 1.

Kasten said the council will hire a director within the next few months. This will be the first time the caring council has received any state financial support, she noted.

A recent grant, administered by Southeast Missouri State University, has provided a part time secretary and an office through a partnership arranged by Shelba Branscum, a member of the council board.

The mission for the prototype in Cape Girardeau is "to establish a collaborative interagency system for the purpose of developing and implementing a comprehensive effort to support families within the community. This is to be achieved by utilizing a Family Investment Commission comprised of a partnership of consumers with public and private leaders."

Kasten said the Family Investment Commission will include all counties in the 32nd Judicial Circuit - Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, and Perry.

Although the five prototype sites will differ in the services they provide and methods, Kasten said the goals are similar: to provide more community-based service for children at risk of out-of-home placement; to assist children staying in school, while increasing their level of success; and reducing the number of children placed in the care of state agencies or the juvenile justice system.