History
History of Collaboration in CobbPre 1979 – 1990
Organizations in Cobb have a long history of collaborating to share information and create new programs and mechanisms to improve life for residents of the county. The first formal collaboration was accomplished through the Cobb Community Council. The CCC met monthly to share information about programs and to better coordinate resources.
1982 – 1986
In 1992, several housing organizations formed the Cobb Housing Coalition to address the emerging homeless population. A collaboration of 5 partners: Cobb County Emergency Aid Association, Inc. (now CFR), DFCS, Travelers Aid, MUST, and the Salvation Army, received a demonstration grant to provide housing for homeless families.
1986/87 – Present
Incorporated in 1989, the Cobb Human Services Coalition expanded the work of the Cobb Housing Coalition and provided a comprehensive approach in working with the homeless and those at-risk of homelessness. Working with dozens of human service organizations and volunteers, the CHSC produced “The Plan,” some of the first comprehensive human service planning conducted in the county. Work was accomplished through several teams, including: Case Management, Housing, Employment Resources, and Children and Youth Issues. Projects resulting from “The Plan” included:
·Establishment of a health clinic at MUST Ministries providing free medical care to low income residents. The program was managed by Cobb Health Partners.
·Development of affordable child care resources. Working with the Junior League, the CHSC helped to bring Sheltering Arms to Cobb County. The CHSC provided community awareness and advocacy in the development of Georgia’s Pre K program and served as the Coordinating Council for private day care centers wishing to participate in the program.
·Affordable Housing – The CHSC Housing Team worked to develop an affordable housing development program which incorporated as Cobb Housing Inc.
·Resource Guides – An affordable housing list and The Pocket Key Resource Guide were developed and are still maintained and distributed.
·Client database – Predating Pathways, the CHSC was a pioneer in utilizing technology to manage and facilitate sharing of client information. CHSC obtained a grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to develop and implement a client database and provide hardware to participating organizations. The information contained in the CHSC Interagency Database was later merged into Pathways.
·First homeless census – The CHSC was a pace setter in conducting a homeless census in the early 1990’s to obtain better information about the numbers and needs of our homeless population. A homeless census is now required by HUD every 2 years.
·Quality training for case managers and volunteers – The CHSC partnered with Kennesaw State University to provide several conferences and workshops on topics including case management, strategic planning, interviewing, dealing with difficult people, brief practice, compassion fatigue, etc.
·Community Awareness – Several legislative breakfasts and resource fairs, were sponsored
·Jack Vaughan, Jr. Human Service Awards – Each year the event honors volunteers and professional staff who have exhibited outstanding service to the homeless and those at-risk.
·Continuum of Care Process – The CHSC (and in recent years as The Policy Council on Homelessness) leads the annual update of Cobb’s Continuum of Care and HUD SHP application process which brings in over $1million in funding for organizations housing the homeless.
As part of the CoC process, the CHSC and as The PCOH, has developed additional transitional and permanent housing programs for the homeless and sponsored the Hospitals and Jails Discharge Planning Committees.
In 2005, the CHSC Board of Directors formally voted to merge the CHSC with the Cobb Collaborative as The Policy Council on Homelessness. The CHSC is formally filing to dissolve in 2007, but it’s work will continue through The PCOH.
1995/97 – Present
The Cobb Community Collaborative was incorporated in 1997 to provide a broad-based focal point through which nonprofits, businesses, faith-based groups, and concerned citizens can organize as needs and challenges emerge. The work of the Collaborative is accomplished through policy councils, committees, and task forces.
·The Collaborative’s original project involved the development of the Cobb JTPA Program and Cobb PIC (Private Industry Council). Separating from the Metro Atlanta JTPA Program and MAPIC, allowed organizations to better serve the particular needs of Cobb residents and businesses.
·Transportation – Assisted in developing the consolidated transportation program operated by Community Services Board
·Cobb County Grants Process – In an effort to ensure community involvement in the review process, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners empowered the Cobb Community Collaborative to coordinate a team of community representatives to develop and oversee the non-profit grant review process. As an organization with representation from a broad range of community agencies and stakeholders, the Collaborative and its membership provide the expertise and knowledge of our community needs necessary to ensure the best use of County funds in meeting human service needs.·Workforce Investment Act, One Stop; Cobb Works!; Policy Council for Workforce Development –
·Family Connection – In 1997, the Collaborative joined Family Connection, a statewide network of county collaboratives committed to improving the quality of life for Georgia’s families.
·Policy Council for Children and Families – Created to implement the Family Connection grant goals which included 26 benchmarks in 5 areas: healthy children; children ready for school; children succeeding in school; strong families; self-sufficient families.
·Drug Free Communities Support Program – In 1999, $100,000 grant was obtained through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to conduct comprehensive planning and community development of a process to reduce substance abuse among Cobb youth. Program oversight was administered through the Policy Council for Children and Families. Assistance was provided to the Osborne Prevention Task Force in obtaining Weed & Seed Designation, the Board of Health in the Tobacco Prevention Project, and the Underage Drinking Task Force.
·Cobb Literacy Council – In 1999, a group of concerned Cobb citizens, businesses, educators, and social service professionals came together to find ways to confront the growing adult population in need of high school credentials, English as a Second Language, and basic literacy services. In 2001, The CLC received approval to administer the State of Georgia Certified Literate Community program, with a 10 year goal of serving 51% of the 100,000 adults in need of services in Cobb. Originally administered through the Cobb Chamber Foundation, in February 2005, the CLC joined ranks with CobbWorks! Workforce Investment Board and hired a full-time coordinator.
·Policy Council on Public Safety –
·Live Healthy Cobb -
Cobb organizations have a rich history of collaboration. Additional significant projects have been developed through collaborative efforts developed outside of formal community organizations. Examples include:
·FEMA Board and the allocations process
·MAG (Multi-agency Grant) Transitional Housing Program
·Osborne Prevention Task Force
·Franklin Road Improvement Program and Weed and Seed Grant
·Community Partnerships for Protecting Children
·Cobb Disaster Recovery Program
·Family Literacy Program
·Cobb Faith Partnership