Alternative Response, a year later 

In the year since the Alternative Response (AR) team was formed at ACCS, the team has worked on helping families to understand that AR works in a different manner than the traditional response to allegations of child maltreatment.  The AR goal is to work in partnership with parents to assess strengths and concerns, identify any immediate safety needs of the children, and assess the care giver's ability to protect their children.  AR workers help families identify their support systems, which increases the safety net for children.  AR workers let the families know that they are not there to assign blame, but to help.  "Once families know we are really there to work with them, they open up," case worker Travis Boggs explained.

From left: Michelle Rawlins, Lisa Seitz, Donna Robison,  Peggy Stevens, Doug Debrick, Darla Evans, and Travis Boggs

The AR team helps to connect families with local resources. AR caseworkers have connected families with resources such as Early Head Start, Community Action, Integrated Services of Appalachian Ohio and counseling through schools and local agencies. The team is also working on creating a list of local resources that will be given to families upon initial contact. Families working with an AR caseworker may receive physical assistance with items such as diapers, baby formula, electric heaters, lice kits, personal hygiene items, household items, carbon monoxide/smoke alarms and baby monitors.

Families can also obtain gas cards, bus passes and cab fares so they have transportation to appointments and employment opportunities. The caseworkers acknowledge that if a client can get assistance with transportation to work during the critical first weeks of a job, they are often able to be self-sufficient once they receive their first paycheck. The caseworkers also teach families important skills such as budgeting that they can take with them after the case has been closed. Much of the assistance that the Alternative Response team provides comes with a framework to ensure that the family can help themselves in the future. Supervisor Donna Robison explained, "Assistance with utility bills is paired with helping the family to create a budget for the future."

Although, the team is still tweaking their program and feel there is always room for improvement, they have seen a decrease in children being placed in care. With the great amount of support from the state they believe their program will remain successful. 

Residents of Athens County needing assistance with gifts for their children this holiday season are encouraged to apply to the Santa Tree Program. Sponsored by Athens County Children Services, the Santa Tree provides holiday gifts to children in need throughout Athens County.

Through November 21, families of children ages birth through 17 may come to Athens County Children Services Building 14 to fill out a Santa Tree application. Applications can be filled out Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am and 3:30 pm. Applicants must be the legal guardian of the child or children for whom they are filling out the application, and they must bring proof of income, photo ID, and social security numbers for themselves and their children.

Now in its 25th year, the Santa Tree Project assists community members in need by providing gifts for their families. Through strong community support, this project collects enough donations and gifts to brighten the holidays of 1200 children. 

For more information on the Santa Tree Project, please contact Athens County Children Services at (740) 592-3061.