Community Solutions - HISTORY

In 2004, Washington State University Tri-Cities conducted a comprehensive needs assessment for the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties to determine “the most vital health and human service needs” in Benton and Franklin Counties, Washington.  The report noted two key findings that issued a call for change:  the need for better linkages among local not-for-profit organizations, and improved coordination so that the health and human service system can be as efficient and effective as possible to meet the growing needs of its residents.

United Way was asked by community leaders, donors and the Three Rivers Community Roundtable to address these issues, and to help create a system that will be more effective in delivering services.  The United Way Board of Directors agreed to take on the bold challenge of supporting health and human services in Benton and Franklin Counties in a new way, and has committed to utilizing its expertise, experience, and relationships by bringing the community together in a collaborative process to better leverage resources in health and human services.  An important part of this process was to conduct a community-wide summit for key leaders to come together to discuss how to achieve an improved health and human services delivery system in our community.

Over 100 community leaders convened at the Community Leaders Summit hosted by the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties and facilitated by the Gladstone Group on October 26, 2006.  During the Summit, Community Leaders asked that United Way serve as the facilitator of a community-wide planning effort to develop a regional health and human services plan.  The development of this high level or regional strategy was identified as a top priority.

Three Community Solutions Teams have been formed around three major focus areas: children, families and the community. Comprised of service providers, consumers, decision makers, subject matter experts, key volunteers and other local stakeholders, the Kids Matter, Families Matter and Community Matters Teams began their work in January 2007.  Each team has studied the issues within their respective focus area, including strengths and needs.  Team members focused on the “big picture” of what the community-planning effort should include.  They also identified ways to increase outcome achievements by recommending strategic alliances and service delivery options. The plans developed by all three Community Solutions Teams have been consolidated into a regional plan designed to improve our health and human services system and to ultimately improve community conditions and people’s lives.  The first cut of the Community Solutions Plan was completed in December of 2007.

Information from individuals who are recipients of the various types of social services was an important part of the region-wide planning process.  Valuable data was obtained from the Benton and Franklin Counties Community Public Health and Safety Networks, which completed a Community Event Survey in the spring of 2007.  Close to 50 service recipients participated in this survey.  The client input from the survey, much of which mirrors the visions of the three teams, was carefully analyzed and incorporated into the Community Asset Assessment that was completed in August of 2007.  Client input will continue to be sought and integrated into the region-wide health and human service plan.

Additionally, there are 150 community leaders who have been selected to serve as Blue Ribbon Advisors.  These are experts providing ongoing feedback and guidance for this regional planning and development effort.  They represent all sectors of our community including government, business, law and justice, education, the faith community, social services, healthcare, labor, consumers, etc. 

Since 2008, the group has been working on planning, implementation, evaluation, and modification. The first Community Solutions Initiative, Our Babies Can't Wait, was launched in January, 2009.