Caledonia Argus

Emergency assistance funds low

Posted: 4/27/04

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

There will not be enough emergency assistance dollars in the Houston County Human Services department to last through the end of the December.

Houston County commissioners received the news at the Human Services meeting on Tuesday, April 20.

Historically, the county has set aside money to help families in crisis situations, but because that program is not funded from the state, the county no longer has enough money to continue it.

Bonnie Goetzinger, financial supervisor, said they have received many requests for assistance lately because the electric company can legally shut off electricity beginning April 15. ìBoy, did they send out disconnect notices,î she said.

Goetzinger pointed out that a lot of non-profit organizations are running out of money too. ìSemcac is out of money for crisis and fuel assistance. The Salvation Army has heat share and we just got their last $130 on Monday. Thereís a Homeless Monies grant for rent and deposit, but there are so many rules that we havenít been able to use them. So, everybody is running out of money and people are finding out that they have to meet their own needs.î

Commissioner Larry Graf asked if the people applying for assistance were reoccurring cases.

Goetzinger said 50 percent are reoccurring cases. However, applicants cannot apply twice in an 18 month period. ìWeíre seeing families we havenít seen before. For example, someone got hurt on the job. I know of three different cases where they have made attempts to pay, but couldnít keep up with the payments [for the utility bills].î

County to hire social workers

Commissioners approved advertising for a social worker to replace one that resigned 18 months ago.

The board will also consider hiring an additional social worker from the pool of applicants for the first social worker.

The department did not replace the social worker who resigned 18 months ago as a way to respond to budget cuts. However, Beth Wilms, human services director, pointed out that the caseload has stretched everyone in the department. Although overtime is not allowed, many employees have comp time and vacation time built up that they have not used because of the work load.

She predicted that the work would be too overwhelming for the current staff because of having to implement DWP (Diversionary Workforce Program) in July.

Commissioner Kevin Kelleher requested receiving some budgetary numbers regarding hiring a second social worker.

Social Services Supervisor Karen Meier-Wills noted that there are funding streams available to help pay for part of the salary of the social worker. At present the department does not have time to tap into those funds, she said.

The board also met two interns who will be finishing their work this week in the social services department. Each intern has been spending 32 hours a week since January managing caseloads.

Parenting classes available

Meier-Wills noted that their department is attending seminars on two different types of parenting techniques, ìParenting with Love and Logic,î which is specifically good for the teenage population, and ìParenting with Love and Limits.

The social services unit will coordinate a ìCircle of Parentsî class to support parents in parenting.

Wilms explained that the department is trying to offer the public more parenting classes.

ìWe have been scolded [by the state] for not having parenting tools. In the past six months weíve been pulled into a lot of custody battles. Thereís chaos in the family and thereís concern for whatís going on in the home.î

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