WHILE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLL... NOTHING SUBSTITUTES A CARING COMMUNITY

Mary Kasten represents District 159 in the Missouri House of Representatives, where she serves on the Comm9ittee of Children, Youth and Families.

The role of government is complex, comprehensive and sometimes contradictory.

Governments role for families is to protect and provide for those who cannot care for themselves such as the elderly who are alone, abused children, non-supported children, those with special needs, handicapped, neglected or mentally ill, hopefully on a temporary basis. Some might say in carrying out these responsibilities that government has become too expansive, expensive and intrusive. But the social problems of today, which have been thoroughly discussed by writers in previous Perspectives and by the news media, is everyone's problem.

Depending on community; not laws

So what are the solutions? We all know families must be strengthened, communities must care and act to correct and improve human services. Laws must not jeopardize or force families into dependency. Those who abuse the system must be identified and held responsible. The quote I often use is, "We make laws for the weak and the wicked and in the process we jeopardize the right and the responsible."

Laws, rules, regulations and programs, though well intended, have sabotaged the families and penalized their efforts rather than enhanced their abilities to become self-sufficient. All the money in the world whether private or public cannot solve America's deep-rooted problems.

Even though government plays a critical role in addressing the social issues there is no substitute for a truly caring community, where people ban together to "help their own." This coming together is what we have done here in Cape Girardeau through our Community Caring Council. This council recognizes that the only permanent solution is to Empower families to become Self-reliant, Responsible and Resourceful. This is our ultimate goal!

Improving government that works

Our Community Caring Council with more than 38 agencies and entities is involved with coordinating and integrating services, filling in the gaps and avoiding duplication of services. Our objective is for the most effective use of our dollars to help people become productive over the long term.

Over four years ago we realized that 150 or more agencies, both private and public were working independently, many times with the same families. Now we have professionals and volunteers who are successfully networking to provide needed services.

To assess needs of the area the council initiated a Community Resource Manual in conjunction with Southeast Missouri State University, which conveys agency functions. An interagency team has been formed whose purpose is to service families most effectively by looking at the impediments to self-reliance. Thirteen agencies are involved in this unique process.

The council has been instrumental in the initiation of a Court Appointed Special Advocate Program to serve as the voice of the child within the Juvenile Court. The goal of CASA is to assist abused or neglected children to keep them from getting lost in the system.

Program serves as model for nation

The Community Caring Council is an example of how government should be responding to people's needs, and we have appropriately been recognized on the national level. Our Congressman Bill Emerson has been working on the concept of the Community meeting its own needs. Because of our work these past four years and because of his championing of our cause, we have been chosen to be one of the five prototypes in Missouri. The purpose of a prototype is to be an example of efficient ways that people can benefit from the help available to them.

As we work together as a community with business, education, private and public agencies and volunteers, we must collectively work on problems of prevention. The council is comprised of many task forces aimed at specific problems. A community Volunteer Project that would link individuals from the area with volunteer job opportunities is being developed. We invite your participation in these very worthwhile endeavors.

Care enough, dare enough

It is imperative that we as individuals and as a community care enough and dare enough to change destructive patterns. A positive path toward productive and self-supporting citizens is our vision for the future.

God has ordained families. When we work together we can restore and strengthen this nation where the backbone is: "the Family."