PARTNERSHIP PACT WILL BE SIGNED TODAY

Cape Girardeau Community Caring Council today will sign partnership agreements with seven Missouri agencies, formalizing a working togetherness that has been in place for years.

"It's not different. We've been partnering with the state for several years," said Shirley Ramsey, executive director of the council. "This is just the first time we have a formalized agreement."

The state agencies include the departments of social services, health, mental health, elementary and secondary education, labor and industrial relations, economic development and corrections.

A luncheon and formal signing ceremony will be held at noon.

The Caring Council is designed to encourage service agencies that serve similar clientele to talk with each other and work together.

"What we are trying to do is bring services close to families and to get local people involved," Ramsey said.

"Our partnership with state and local agencies helps us to link and strengthen resources, pool funds to better help families and be accountable for achieving the goals we set forth in our community plan," she said.

Among programs developed is Caring Communities, a school-based partnership. Four Caring Communities sites operate in Cape Girardeau at May Greene, Jefferson, Washington and Franklin elementary schools.

Ron Cates, deputy director of the Department of Health, said, "In administering the provisions of this agreement, the Community Caring Council and the departments agree to work collaboratively together with state agencies, local community groups and Caring Communities neighborhood advisory councils to address the specific needs of the Caring Communities sites and the broader needs of the entire community."

"We are really changing the way services are provided," Ramsey said. Missouri is among a handful of states leading the way in community-based services, she said.