03/02/06 Working to Increase Available Human Services (Below is an opinion piece from Family Service of Rhode Island CEO Margaret Holland McDuff published in several newspapers in Washington County, Rhode Island.) A mother too seriously depressed to attend to her children’s needs is feeling better and is back to being a great mom.  A dad stressed out because he can’t pay the rent receives counseling and help in finding safe, affordable housing. A child on the verge of being expelled from school due to poor behavior is now doing better in class. Those stories are based on the kinds of cases we have been part of since we opened our first office in Washington County almost two years ago.  After more than a century of focusing chiefly on the Providence area, Family Service of Rhode Island took this step in response to a needs assessment from the Washington County Risk Response Team (now known as the Washington County Coalition for Children) and many conversations that told of a need for more human services. After starting with a handful of clients in the spring of 2004, we are now serving more than 300 children and adults in need.  It’s likely that many, perhaps all, would not have received services in the past. This progress is the result of collaborative efforts. Over the past two years, we have worked with dedicated and professional local organizations to get the word to families that we are available to help.  To mention a few: Camp E-Hun-Tee,  the W.A.R.M. Shelter, Thundermist Health Services, the Washington County Coalition for Children, the North Kingstown School Department and COZ, South Shore Mental Health, Crossroads, and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families.  The compassionate and committed men and women in these and other Washington County organizations are quietly doing critical--sometimes even heroic--work on a day-to-day basis. Most recently we joined the Westerly Integrated Social Services Program (WISSP) at Westerly High School.  WISSP has received national recognition from the federal government and has been listed as an exemplary program by the National Association of School Psychologists.  We are fortunate to now be part of this collaboration to help students and families in crisis. I should note, too, that we have had fiscal partners.  They include the Rhode Island Foundation, Washington Trust, and the state’s RIte Care program, which, unfortunately, may be cut back (it has been crucial to providing care for children and their parents for over a decade).  These and other resources help us pay staff to provide critical services to families, often in their homes, and keep the lights on at our 650 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown office.  Also, our Washington County board members—Melvoid Benson, Betty-Jo Cugini, Robert Vincent and Leigh Ann Woisard—have been providing a local perspective to our planning.    We need to recognize and thank the families we are serving or have served.  They put their trust in us even though we were new to the area.  Most of all, we need to thank all the people of Washington County.  We have been impressed by their energy, openness and concern for needy children and families. We are proud to be part of the region, both as a service provider and as an employer of local residents.  We look forward to helping to build a brighter future!