REFERRAL PLAN COULD CUT DOWN DUPLICATION

There are many agencies that provide help for people in need. But sometimes people in need don't know which agency to call for a specific need.

That's why a centralized information and referral service would be of service to Cape Girardeau County. The Area Wide United Way and the Community Caring Council are making the push to establish the service.

By calling one telephone number, the individual would gain information about the proper social or charitable agency to contact.

Such a service could provide a secondary benefit. It could help track what kinds of services people are seeking in the county, and it could help cut down on some duplication of services.

Several years ago, the Salvation Army set up a system to check Toy Box requests in the county during the Christmas season. The group checks with other agencies providing Christmas donations to ensure the services are spread out among the most people possible. The duplication of services was clearly reduced.

The referral service was pitched to Cape Girardeau County this week. The groups also plan to approach the cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson and other entities.

The service may cost about $60,000 a year, which would include two full-time workers, a computer and other start-up expenses. That would take a generous commitment from the county to support such a venture.

But as the federal and state welfare reform measures take hold, more people will be turning to local agencies to fill in the gaps. And that's OK. In past years, it was the local communities and churches that provided the helping hand to people in need. No red tape. No forms in triplicate to fill out and pass on. Just people helping people.

It makes sense to return some of this oversight for helping services back to the communities.

Nationwide, many communities have established local referral networks. It makes sense for Cape Girardeau County to jump on this bandwagon to aid people in need.