Parish Partners Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Workshop Objectives
Triage requests Understand the vulnerabilities and needs of people
requesting help i h l Plan for safety Di Discuss useful forms f l f Review steps of a meeting with someone in need P ti Practice
Introductions
Your name Your Parish Your role When people come seeking help, what
are the needs they are expressing?
Preparing the Environment Preparing the Environment
Is the area warm and inviting? Is it handicapped accessible? Is it safe? Are the hours posted and the boundaries p
clear? What resources do you have on hand? What could you add?
Ti (Ph I P ) Triage (Phone or In Person)
How can we help you
today? d Where do you live? What kind of assistance are you looking for? Have you gone anywhere else seeking assistance? Do you have any meetings or applications pending? Please bring proof of income/expenses for all the adults and children in your household.
Option 1
• On the spot help/ referrals f l
Option • Set up a meeting 2
Foundational Principles
Dignity of the human person Self determination Knowledge of alternatives Self advocacy Person centered planning and delivery of help Short and long‐term needs Social capital
Possible vulnerabilities of Possible vulnerabilities of people in need
A person in need may . . .
Have mental health challenges Have substance abuse challenges Have developmental disabilities F Face homelessness h l Experience domestic violence B i Be an immigrant or refugee, possibly i t f ibl
undocumented Experience job loss or medical challenges
Needs/Resources
Rent/foreclosure assistance Utility disconnection Access to services for the mentally ill Low income housing options for seniors g p Treatment programs for substance abuse Location of food pantries p Access to health care Immigration services
Financial Capacity and Parish Policies
Check with the Pastor for existing assistance policy (or create one) Amount of financial support available (budget) Documentation required Approval process T Types of assistance given f i t i
Case Study
A man with one child asks for assistance. He receives
$950 a month from disability. His electric bill is $183 (but not due for disconnection), his rent ($400) is due (but not due for disconnection) his rent ($400) is due at the end of the month. His car broke down, which he uses to take his daughter to school, which left him g , with a $150 repair. He states he has barely enough to cover the electric bill and his rent at the end of the month. H b li th He believes he will not have enough food this h ill t h h f d thi month.
Budget Review
Income from
Employment Unemployment Child Support Boarders Pension Social Security/SSDI Food Stamps TCA (Temporary Cash Assistance) Gifts/loans‐ family, friends
Expenses for
Rent/mortgage Utilities Phone Food Transportation Health Child care/education Debts Entertainment/tobacco
Meeting with the Person in Need:
Welcome and Introductions Gather information Client information/needs assessment forms/budget form Copy of bills, identification, and information to contact rental or utility companies Si Sign any waivers or other essential paperwork i th ti l k Review needs together: Listen, ask open‐ended questions Create a plan for next steps: goals p p g Make no promises about financial assistance Set timeframes and deadlines, next steps Verify facts
Time to Practice
Get a partner Select a scenario Decide who is the helper and who is the
person seeking help Role play Report to the group h
Spirituality
Walking with someone who has few
options p The spirituality of saying “no” To pray or not to pray To pray or not to pray… “What you do for the least of these, you do for me” (Matthew 25) d f ”( h ) Taking care of yourself! g y
Wrap up p p
Share with the group one idea from this id f thi workshop that might help in your parish h l i i h
Catholic Charities Parish Partners Offices Catholic Charities Parish Partners Offices Please contact us with your questions and suggestions:
Teresa Volante (Program Manager) Catholic Charities 12247 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD 20902 (202) 361 2089 (202) 361‐2089
[email protected] Evette Howard (Charles and Calvert Counties) Catholic Charities 440 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD 20678 (410) 535‐3452
[email protected] Leticia Cormier (St. Mary s County) Leticia Cormier (St. Mary’s County) Catholic Charities 440 Main Street Prince Frederick, MD 20678 (410) 535‐3452 l ti i i @ th li h iti d
[email protected] Kathy Haines (Washington DC) K h H i (W hi DC) Catholic Charities 924 G Street NW Washington, DC 20001 ( ) 77 4343 (202) 772‐4343
[email protected] Teresa Villanueva (Montgomery County) Catholic Charities 47 g 12247 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD 20902 (301) 942‐1790 x 115
[email protected] Laura Yeomans (Prince George’s County) Catholic Charities 4601 Presidents Drive Lanham, MD 20706 (301) 731‐4703 x 307
[email protected] laura yeomans@catholiccharitiesdc org