ONE-STOP SOCIAL SERVICE NETWORK PLANNED FOR CITY

Cape Girardeau County could have a one-stop referral network for people trying to access social service agencies and other information in place before the end of the year.

The Area Wide United Way and Community Caring Council last fall instigated the movement for a centralized information clearinghouse. An executive committee was organized in January to develop funding for an information and referral network.

Some 600 similar networks have been formed in the United States since 1980, including those in nearby Columbia and Paducah, Ky. The primary goal of Cape Girardeau County's "First Call for Help" network will be a starting point for people trying to determine what social service agencies they should access to fill particular needs. The network would also monitor calls to determine what needs aren't met elsewhere in the community.

Although the network will be based in Cape Girardeau County, it will be accessible to anyone in Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

"Cape Girardeau County is blessed with dozens of wonderful agencies that provide literally hundreds of social services," said Becky Eftink, committee chairwoman. "First Call for Help is a way to centralize all these services in a way that makes it easier for people who need help to get it."

United Way director Nancy Jernigan, who continues to work with the committee, said the network won't detract from services already being met in the community. The need for centralized referral networks has been proven many times and actually helps other agencies by reducing the number of misdirected telephone calls and visits they receive.

"We don't intend for this system to replace anything that's already out there," she said. "We want to enhance it and be the one who's answering questions for everyone."

Jernigan said the committee has already collected some $15,000 to fund the project, which had an original estimated budget of about $60,000 a year. Although still in the fund-raising mode, a number of in-kind donations from other agencies have allowed the committee to purchase software and begin collecting and inputting information for the database.

"We're working fast and furious to get the information into the software," said Jernigan. "We're hoping to have it up and running sometime in the fall."

Shirley Ramsey, director of the Cape Girardeau Community Caring Council, said the network will initially be based at the caring council office. Although the council currently produces a resource directory, new or somewhat obscure agencies may not have been included.

People affiliated with a church program or service agency they would like to have included in the database should contact the Community Caring Council at P.O. Box 552, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0552. Information may also be included by calling (573) 651-2099.

"This network will make everything a lot simpler because there will be somebody who will be able to talk one-on-one with individuals and guide them towards the services they need information for," said Ramsey.