Community Partnership Of The Ozark Inc

SERVES IN 21 COUNTIES BUILDING RESILIENT CHILDREN, HEALTHY FAMILIES AND STRONG COMMUNITIES.THE MISSION OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP IS TO FACILITATE AND PROMOTE THE BUILDING OF RESILIENT CHILDREN, HEALTHY FAMILIES AND STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS IN A 21 COUNTY AREA IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI THROUGH COLLABORATION, PROGRAMMING AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP IS ABOUT DESIGNING NEW WAYS TO USE RESOURCES TO HELP CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN A HOLISTIC MANNER, PROVIDING PROGRAMMING THAT DELIVERS MEASURABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE OUTCOMES. WHEN COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER, SCHOOLS SUCCEED, NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SAFER, RESIDENTS ARE HEALTHIER, ADULTS AND CHILDREN FEEL CONNECTED, AND YOUNG PEOPLE CAN REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

CPO'S EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION WORKS TO BUILD STRONG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATION, ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT. WE OFFER REGULAR PARENT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM (TRIPLE P), WHICH IS AN EVIDENCE BASED COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PARENTS IN A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS. TRIPLE P HAS FIVE LEVELS RANGING FROM PUBLIC AWARENESS TO GROUP SEMINARS TO INTENSIVE ONE-ON-ONE GUIDED PARENT COACHING. THE GOALS ARE TO HELP PARENTS BECOME CONFIDENT, POSITIVE AND SUPPORTIVE OF THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR PARENTING ROLE. WE HAVE MORE THAN 90 INDIVIDUALS TRAINED TO SERVE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 0-12 AND TEENS. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICE TO 289 CLIENTS THIS YEAR, WE PARTNERED WITH ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO EXTEND THE REACH OF SERVICES TO OTHER FAMILIES IN THE AREA. ANOTHER STRENGTHS-BASED PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM CPO PROVIDES IS PARENT CAFS, WHICH USES THE WORLD CAF MODEL. PARENT CAFS USES A PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING PROCESS COMMITTED TO INTRODUCING PARENTS TO FIVE PROTECTIVE FACTORS THAT KEEP FAMILIES STRONG. PARENT CAFS BUILD RESILIENCY AND FOSTERS MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN CAFS. PARENT CAFS SUPPORT FAMILIES IN A HOST OF SITUATIONS FROM FOSTER PARENTS TO NEW PARENTS, TO AT-RISK PARENTS, TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. CAFS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND CONGOLESE LANGUAGES. WE HOLD REGULAR CAFS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, CHILDCARE SETTINGS, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, AND IN CHURCHES IN GREENE, CHRISTIAN AND WEBSTER COUNTIES AND SERVED 343 INDIVIDUALS DURING THE 2020-21 FISCAL YEAR. WE TRAINED 14 MORE FACILITATORS THIS YEAR, FOR A TOTAL OF AN ADDITIONAL 120 FACILITATORS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AREA ORGANIZATIONS, ALLOWING US TO EXTEND PARENT CAFES AFTER FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM EXPIRED.IN A LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THOSE WHO CARE FOR CHILDREN, CPO HAS PARTNERED WITH OUR LOCAL PROSECUTING ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, CHILDREN'S DIVISION, AND THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER TO PROVIDE REGULAR MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING TO OUR COMMUNITY, SERVING 440 IN THIS REPORTING PERIOD. OUR CAPABLE KIDS AND FAMILIES PROGRAM SUPPORTS FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY OR DISABILITY. THE PROGRAM SERVED 60 FAMILIES THROUGH HOME VISITING, PLAY GROUPS AND AN EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM. ENROLLED FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED WITH MONTHLY HOME VISITS THAT INCLUDE GOAL SETTING BASED ON CAROLINA CURRICULUM CHILD ASSESSMENTS. WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO MEET IN PERSON, WE OFFER MONTHLY PLAY GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE EQUIPMENT LOAN PROGRAM ALLOWS FAMILIES TO TRY OUT VERY EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT TO SEE IF IT MEETS THEIR CHILD'S NEEDS BEFORE SPENDING INSURANCE DOLLARS OR THEIR OWN MONEY PURCHASING IT. THE LENDING PROGRAM ALSO ALLOWS FAMILIES TO CONTINUE THE EXERCISES PRESCRIBED BY THEIR THERAPISTS USING EQUIPMENT DESIGNED FOR THAT PURPOSE.OUR REACH HAS EXTENDED TO SERVING HOME VISITORS WHO SERVE FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, PRENATAL TO AGE 6. WE ARE CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A NETWORK TO OPTIMIZE REFERRALS AND SERVICES TO FAMILIES REQUESTING A HOME VISITOR IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE HOME VISITING NETWORK IS USING THE KANSAS CITY METRO'S PROMISE 1000 FRAMEWORK TO MAXIMIZE THE ASSISTANCE FAMILIES RECEIVE, AND TO INCENTIVIZE HOME VISITING AGENCIES TO PROVIDE EXEMPLARY SERVICES. THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH OUTCOMES OF PARTICIPATING FAMILIES, WHEREBY REDUCING COSTS TO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. WE CURRENTLY HAVE FIVE ORGANIZATIONS ACCEPTING REFERRALS INTO THEIR HOME VISITING PROGRAMS USING REDCAP, A WEB-BASED PROGRAM THAT DETERMINES GOODNESS OF FIT AND A FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF FAMILIES TO EACH ELIGIBLE AGENCY.OUR FIRST BIRTHDAY SAFE SLEEP PROGRAM HELPS FAMILIES IN 23 SOUTHWEST COUNTIES BY PROVIDING SAFE SLEEP EDUCATION AND PACK N' PLAYS. FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR TANF WITHOUT CRIBS OR OTHER SAFE SLEEP ENVIRONMENTS ARE GIVEN A PACK N' PLAY, CRIB SHEETS, PACIFIERS, SLEEP SACKS AND INFORMATION ON HOW TO KEEP THEIR BABY SAFE WHILE SLEEPING. PRE- VERSUS POST-TESTS SERVE TO ENSURE PARENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS APPROPRIATE TO KEEPING BABIES SAFE. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM IS RECRUITING SAFE SLEEP CHAMPIONS TO SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY ON SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES. OUR EDUCARE PROGRAM SERVES PROGRAMS THAT WORK WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE CHILDCARE SUBSIDY. THE GOAL IS TO HELP PREPARE CHILDREN FOR SCHOOL AND INCREASE HEALTH AND SAFETY. THE EDUCARE PROGRAM SERVED 60 DVN'S AND 75 CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS THROUGH MONTHLY VISITS, COACHING, CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT LOANS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. CLASS ASSESSMENTS AND SUPPORT WERE PROVIDED TO 45 PROVIDERS IN GREENE, CHRISTIAN, TANEY, POLK, STONE, LAWRENCE AND WEBSTER COUNTIES. ADDITIONALLY, MORE THAN 1,200 PROVIDERS RECEIVED REQUIRED TRAINING ON HEALTH AND SAFETY, RECORD-KEEPING, AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.INFANT TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK (ITSN) HAS BECOME A STRONG LEADER IN OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMMING, SERVING CHRISTIAN, GREENE, OZARK, POLK, TANEY, AND WEBSTER COUNTIES. AFTER TWO YEARS, WE HAVE PROVIDED SERVICES TO MORE THAN 100 PROVIDERS WHO SERVE 400+ CHILDREN. ITSN USES RELATIONSHIP-BASED CAREGIVING AS THE FOUNDATION FOR QUALITY PROGRAMMING. TEACHERS RECEIVE A PRE AND POST ASSESSMENT, COHORT TRAINING, AND ON-SITE COACHING TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF CARE THEY PROVIDE IN INFANT TODDLER CLASSROOMS. EVERY CHILD PROMISE PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO 52 CHILDREN WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO AFFORD QUALITY PRESCHOOL. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF CHILDREN WHO RECEIVED THE SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE WERE "READY FOR KINDERGARTEN" ACCORDING TO A SOCIAL EMOTIONAL ASSESSMENT. THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SYSTEMIC CHANGE, WITH SEAMLESS TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN AND BEYOND, WE DEVELOPED A PROGRAM WITH FUNDING FROM DARR FAMILY FOUNDATION TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION IN SPRINGFIELD. THE PROGRAM, STEPS TO EXCELLENCE, IS A FIVE-YEAR PROPOSAL DESIGNED TO ENGAGE PUBLIC, PRIVATE, FAITH-BASED AND COLLEGES TO INCREASE THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SHARED LEARNING NETWORKS. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS FOCUS ON DECA SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ASSESSMENTS, CLASS TEACHER CHILD INTERACTION ASSESSMENTS AND CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE TRAINING. SIXTEEN HUNDRED EARLY EDUCATORS RECEIVED EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND COACHING IN THE THIRD YEAR OF STEPS TO EXCELLENCE. THROUGH A RECENT STATE PARTNERSHIP WITH ARCHS OF ST. LOUIS, WE ARE NOW ABLE TO OFFER COMPREHENSIVE HOME VISITATION TO 52 FAMILIES IN SEVEN COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURIDENT, HENRY, HICKORY, POLK, DALLAS, BENTON, AND WEBSTER COUNTIES. THE HOME VISITING MODEL, HEALTHY FAMILIES AMERICA, IS A BEST PRACTICE SERVING FAMILIES PRENATALLY THROUGH AGE 3 YEARS. THE MAJORITY OF FAMILIES SERVED ARE REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM BY MISSOURI CHILDREN'S DIVISION. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDES CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION, SCHOOL READINESS, STRENGTHENING FAMILY FUNCTIONING, AND HEALTHY MOTHER AND BABIES.

CPO'S COMMUNITY & NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT DIVISION BUILDS RESILIENT CHILDREN, HEALTHY FAMILIES AND STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH COLLABORATION, ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND MENTORING. THE CARING COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE WORKS WITH SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS TO IDENTIFY AND FACILITATE COMMUNITY-BASED STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. CARING COMMUNITIES' PROGRAMS PROMOTE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH MENTORING, AFTER SCHOOL CLUB SUPPORT, SKILL BUILDING GROUPS, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND EDUCATION, CRISIS INTERVENTION AND CASE MANAGEMENT OF FAMILIES AND SUPPORT TO NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UPS, SPRINGFIELD TOOL LIBRARY, HELP TO ADDRESS CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES, AND NEIGHBORHOOD TRAINING AND EDUCATION. MENTORING PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVIDED INCLUDE BULLDOG BASKETBALL ACADEMY, BEARS, BADGES & KIDS AND BROTHER 2 BROTHER. THE BULLDOG BASKETBALL ACADEMY CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN A FREE BASKETBALL TRAINING PROGRAM WHERE THEY LEARN THE SKILLS SPECIFIC FOR BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARN IMPORTANT LIFE SKILLS LIKE HAVING A GOOD ATTITUDE, WORKING HARD, DOING WELL IN SCHOOL, AND GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS. THE ACADEMY ALSO PROVIDES ADDITIONAL POSITIVE ADULT MENTORS FOR THE STUDENTS. BULLDOG BASKETBALL ACADEMY WAS HELD AT FOUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND WITH 78 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING. THE BEARS, BADGES & KIDS PROGRAM WAS CREATED AS A RESPONSE TO THE GROWING NEED TO BUILD POSITIVE COMMUNITY AND POLICE RELATIONS. THE GOAL IS TO BRING KIDS AND THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TOGETHER THROUGH BASKETBALL TO BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS. A NOTABLE MOMENT DURING BEARS, BADGES & KIDS WAS THE WAY IN WHICH LOCAL OFFICERS HANDLED THE TOUGH QUESTIONS MIDDLE SCHOOLERS ASKED THEM. VIOLENCE IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT KIDS HAVE A FRONT ROW SEAT FOR THROUGH TV AND MOVIES, SOCIAL MEDIA, MUSIC, AND VIDEO GAMES, AND IT OFTEN PERPETUATES A NEGATIVE VIEW OF LAW ENFORCEMENT POTENTIALLY MAKING INTERACTIONS UNSAFE. KIDS DON'T WANT TO BE FEARFUL OF OFFICERS, THEY WANT TO BE SAFE, AND THIS PROGRAM IS BUILDING THAT BRIDGE BY GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS AND GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF BOTH SIDES. THERE WAS A TOTAL OF SIX EVENTS HELD WITH 162 KIDS PARTICIPATING AND 23 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING 218 VOLUNTEER HOURS, REPRESENTING THE SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, SPRINGFIELD-GREENE COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT, SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL. SAAB BROTHER 2 BROTHER IS A NATIONAL PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR YOUNG MEN OF COLOR TO ENSURE THEIR SUCCESS IN THE COMPLETION OF THEIR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THIS IS DONE THROUGH INDIVIDUAL HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CHAPTERS WORKING WITH STUDENTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS, AND COLLECTIVELY ACROSS THE CITY, TO PROVIDE EDUCATION-TO-CAREER SUPPORT AS WELL AS RECOGNITION FOR THE TALENT, DRIVE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THESE YOUNG MEN MAKE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. A TOTAL OF FIVE CHAPTERS LAUNCHED IN FY21, WITH 62 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING. A TOTAL OF 16 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT MENTORS GAVE 144 HOURS OF TIME TO SUPPORT AND GUIDE THE YOUNG MEN. DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR, WE PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR 12 CAREER-FOCUSED AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS IN ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TWO INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS IN THE WILLARD SCHOOL DISTRICT. OUR AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS FOCUS ON IMPROVING SKILLS, DAILY ATTENDANCE, AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND ALLOW FOR CAREER EXPLORATION. APPROXIMATELY 250 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THESE AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS. THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM, WE ASSISTED FAMILIES WITH CRISIS INTERVENTION AND CONNECTION TO RESOURCES. THERE WERE 654 INDIVIDUALS, REPRESENTING 228 FAMILIES THAT WERE ASSISTED THROUGH MORE THAN 974 COMMUNITY REFERRALS, 1,715 CONTACTS AND 14 FAMILIES RECEIVED ONGOING CASE MANAGEMENT. A TOTAL OF 158 INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES WERE ASSISTED THROUGH OUR EMERGENCY FUND AND CRISIS FOCUSED GRANTS. WE HOSTED FIVE MASTER'S LEVEL SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS AND FOUR BACHELOR'S LEVEL SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THEIR PRACTICUM. THESE STUDENTS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 3,891 HOURS OF SERVICE. WE FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH MIDTOWN-CARNEGIE LIBRARY TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY-BASES SOCIAL WORK SERVICES TO THEIR PATRONS. OUR STAFF WERE AVAILABLE TO LIBRARY STAFF VIA PHONE, EMAIL, AND PROVIDED ONSITE SERVICES ONE TIME A WEEK. OUR SOCIAL WORKERS ASSISTED PATRONS IN COMPLETING FOOD STAMP APPLICATIONS, CHECKING ON MEDICAID STATUSES AND CONNECTION TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY RESOURCES. WE SUPPORTED NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND GROUPS THROUGH ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THAT PROMOTED SAFE, FRIENDLY, AND CLEAN NEIGHBORHOODS. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT WAS NOT HELD DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS; HOWEVER, WE DID NOT WANT TO MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS. IN OCTOBER, WE ISSUED A CHALLENGE TO NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS TO SHOW SUPPORT OF THEIR LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS DELIVERED FOOD, CARE BASKETS, CARDS, AND FUN ARTWORK. WE HOSTED THE ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION VOLUNTEER AWARDS (NOVA) EVENT VIRTUALLY TO RECOGNIZE NEIGHBORHOOD VOLUNTEERS AND HOSTED A WATCH PARTY FOR NOVA WINNERS WITH NO ACCESS TO INTERNET. FOLLOWING THE EVENT, WE HIGHLIGHTED EACH WINNER IN A SEPARATE FACEBOOK POST, ALONG WITH A PICTURE OF THEM RECEIVING THEIR PRIZES, WHICH INCLUDED A NOVA THEMED T-SHIRTS, A NOVA TROPHY, AND HOT CHOCOLATE BOMBS FROM A LOCAL BAKERY, SAVORY SWEETS BY LAUREN. WE HOSTED "WHO YOU GONNA CALL?", A RESOURCE PANEL FOR NEIGHBORHOODS TO ADDRESS COMMON QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS, SUCH AS NUISANCE PROPERTY ISSUES, HOW TO REGISTER TO BECOME A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, AND WHO TO CALL IF THERE ARE SAFETY CONCERNS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE "WHO YOU GONNA CALL" EVENT WAS HELD VIRTUALLY USING FACEBOOK LIVE. THE PANELISTS REPRESENTED VARIOUS CITY OF SPRINGFIELD DEPARTMENTS AND THE SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE COORDINATED 19 NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UPS THAT COLLECTED BULKY ITEMS, YARD WASTE, OLD FURNITURE, CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS AND OLD APPLIANCES. OVER 253 TONS OF WASTE, FILLING 117 DUMPSTERS OF TRASH, AND 43 DUMPSTERS OF YARD WASTE WERE REMOVED FROM NEIGHBORHOODS. A TOTAL OF 526 TVS AND 25 TONS OF SCRAP METAL WAS RECYCLED. WE HAD 375 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDING 1,483 HOURS OF SERVICE. THE SPRINGFIELD TOOL LIBRARY IS A LENDING LIBRARY THAT ALLOWS MEMBERS TO BORROW TOOLS. THE LIBRARY HAS MORE THAN 280 TOOLS THAT CAN BE BORROWED. THERE WERE 229 TOOL CHECK OUTS LAST YEAR. THERE ARE 107 MEMBERS, WITH 40 OF THESE BEING NEW MEMBERSHIPS IN FY21. THE GREATER SPRINGFIELD AREA CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM ENCOURAGES MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO ASSIST LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME BY OVERCOMING THE TWO KEY ELEMENTS THAT INHIBIT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: FEAR AND APATHY. CRIME STOPPERS RELIES ON COOPERATION BETWEEN THE POLICE, THE MEDIA, AND CITIZENS TO PROVIDE ANONYMOUS INFORMATION ABOUT CRIME AND CRIMINALS IN THE GREENE COUNTY AREA WITH A MAJOR FOCUS ON CRIME WITHIN SPRINGFIELD CITY LIMITS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP INFORMATION USED TO SOLVE FELONY CRIMES. CASH REWARDS OF UP TO $1,000 ARE AVAILABLE FOR TIPS THAT DIRECTLY LEAD TO A FELONY ARREST OR SEIZURE OF A FELONY AMOUNT OF DRUGS. ALL TIP REWARDS ARE PROVIDED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CIVILIAN ADVISORY BOARD. THE CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM UTILIZES LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR TIP INVESTIGATIONS BUT THERE IS NO CONTACT INFORMATION OBTAINED FOR THE TIPSTER, NO CALLER ID, AND THE CONVERSATION IS NOT RECORDED. ALL TIP SUBMISSIONS ARE KEPT COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS BY USING A TIP HOTLINE NUMBER, A SECURE ONLINE WEBSITE OR A DISCREET P3 APP AVAILABLE FOR SMART PHONES. FY21 WAS AN ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT YEAR FOR THE CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM. HOWEVER, DESPITE A REDUCTION IN TIPS RECEIVED, BOARD TRANSITION, AND NO FUNDRAISING OR COMMUNITY EVENTS TO ENGAGE DUE TO COVID, THE PROGRAM WAS STILL ABLE TO PROMOTE CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH KY3, AND OUR 4 COMMUNITY KIOSKS. THERE WERE 1,519 TIPS RECEIVED AND 1,413 FOLLOW-UPS MADE ON RECEIVED TIPS. FROM THOSE TIPS 20 ARRESTS WERE MADE WITH THREE WEAPONS BEING RECOVERED AND $1,849 WORTH OF DRUGS SEIZED. IN JANUARY 2021, GREENE COUNTY WAS AWARDED AN EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT. THESE FUNDS WERE PART OF A COVID RELIEF PACKAGE PASSED BY CONGRESS IN DECEMBER OF 2020 TO PROVIDE HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICES TO FAMILIES AT RISK OF EVICTION DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. GREENE COUNTY REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO PARTNER IN DISTRIBUTING THESE FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING IN GREENE COUNTY. AFTER MONTHS OF PLANNING, WE LAUNCHED OUR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE (ERA) PROGRAM IN MARCH OF 2021 AND BEGAN PROVIDING RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO GREENE COUNTY RESIDENTS. IN FY21, THE ERA PROGRAM ASSISTED APPROXIMATELY 125 FAMILIES, WITH APPROXIMATELY $345,000 WORTH OF RENTAL/

CPO'S PREVENTION AND YOUTH SUPPORT DIVISION WORKED IN 21 COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI ASSISTING COMMUNITIES IN BUILDING PREVENTION COALITIONS AND IMPLEMENTING MULTIPLE LARGE STATE OF MISSOURI PREVENTION CONTRACTS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE COORDINATING THE SPIRIT SCHOOL-BASED DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM IN CARTHAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR MORE THAN 3,500 STUDENTS GRADES K-12, RESULTING IN A LOWER RATE OF CARTHAGE STUDENTS MISUSING SUBSTANCE MISUSE THAN THE RATE FOR MISSOURI STUDENTS. DESPITE ONGOING CHALLENGES WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SPIRIT STAFF MET ALL PROGRAMMATIC GOALS AND REACHED MORE STUDENTS THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. WE COORDINATED A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR DOZENS OF DYS YOUTH, HELPING THEM BUILD HEALTHY ADULT RELATIONSHIPS AND ASSISTING THEM IN RE-INTEGRATING INTO THEIR COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDED THEM FAMILY ENGAGEMENT KITS RESULTING IN THOSE FAMILIES REPORTING EATING MEALS TOGETHER MORE OFTEN AND INCREASED CONNECTEDNESS. THROUGH THE STATE OPIOID RESPONSE GRANT PROJECT, WE PROVIDED GENERATION RX TRAININGS TO MORE THAN 1,256 COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUG MISUSE AND EDUCATED ON HOW TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH OPIOID MISUSE. WE ASSISTED COMMUNITIES IN IMPLEMENTING 34 MEDICATION TAKE BACK EVENTS THAT COLLECTED 7,281 POUNDS OF EXPIRED AND/OR UNUSED MEDICATIONS, WHILE DISSEMINATING AN ADDITIONAL 890 DRUG DISPOSAL BAGS FOR SAFE AND PROPER DISPOSAL OF MEDICATIONS. WE CREATED 8 PSAS FEATURING SAMHSA'S "TALK, THEY HEAR YOU" MESSAGES WITH 370 AIRS REACHING 2,385,400 PEOPLE. EACH OF THESE MESSAGES SHARED FACTS ABOUT VARIOUS SUBSTANCES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ADULTS TALKING TO YOUTH ABOUT THE RISKS OF MISUSING SUBSTANCES.WE WERE AWARDED TWO FEDERAL 5-YEAR PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS GRANTS TO ENHANCE THE SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, PRACTICES, AND POLICIES. WE ACTIVELY ENGAGED 117 UNIQUE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES IN SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION EFFORTS AMONG THE NINE COUNTIES SERVED. OUTCOMES INCLUDED INTEGRATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INTO ALL PREVENTION EFFORTS, COORDINATING A REGIONAL PREVENTION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR COALITION AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, HELPING CREATE THE SPRINGFIELD AREA VAPE EDUCATION CURRICULA PROVIDED TO 7,350 YOUTH, COLLABORATING WITH THE TOBACCO AND VAPE PREVENTION COALITION TO FUND INSTALLATION OF 14 VAPE DROP BOXES IN SPRING PUBLIC SCHOOL MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGS THAT COLLECTED 36 VAPE DEVICES, AND HELPING THE DALLAS COUNTY SHERIFF RE-ESTABLISH THE DARE PROGRAM IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.WE PROVIDED 32 YOUTH AND ADULT MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (Y/MHFA) TRAININGS TO 460 PEOPLE TO INCREASE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY, DECREASE STIGMA, AND IDENTIFY AND ASSIST A PERSON EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE OR CRISIS.

IN 2020, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP EXPANDED EFFORTS WITH THE OPENING OF THE O'REILLY CENTER FOR HOPE (OCH). FUNDING FROM THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD (HUD FUNDING), THE O'REILLY FAMILY AND OTHER GENEROUS DONORS ALLOWED CPO TO PURCHASE AND FULLY RENOVATE PEPPERDINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A LONG-VACATED BUILDING IN ROBBERSON NEIGHBORHOOD. SINCE OPENING, THE OCH HAS WELCOMED OVER 4,880 UNIQUE VISITORS. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OCH HELPS TO FULFILL CPO'S ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION TO ENSURE RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE SUPPORT AND SERVICES NEEDED TO OBTAIN SAFE, DECENT, AFFORDABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING, AND TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL STABILITY. THE HOUSING CENTER PROVIDES RESIDENTS OF OUR TRI-COUNTY REGION WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO MULTIPLE AGENCIES; A ONE-STOP DIRECT SERVICE CENTER CO-LOCATING CPO'S ANCHOR PROGRAMS ONE DOOR AND THE SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ALONG WITH AARP, BURRELL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN MISSOURI, DIVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, AND MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY'S NURSING PROGRAM.THE SCLT IS A LOCAL LEADER IN CREATING SAFE, DECENT, AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES IN SPRINGFIELD. THROUGH NEW DEVELOPMENT AND RENOVATION OF SPRINGFIELD'S AGING HOUSING STOCK, THE SCLT CAN OFFER HOMES TO QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS THAT MEET FANNIE MAE INCOME AND CREDIT THRESHOLDS. HOUSEHOLDS CAN PURCHASE A HOME WITH $1,000 DOWN AND MORTGAGES TYPICALLY LOWER THAN FAIR MARKET RENT RATES. FURTHER, EACH NEW HOME INCORPORATES UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES. THE SCLT CURRENTLY HAS 20 HOMES IN ITS PORTFOLIO. AFFORDABLE RENTALS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. AT THIS TIME, THE SCLT HAS 20 RENTAL UNITS THAT ARE OFFERED TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. USING THE SAME PRINCIPLES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THE SCLT PURCHASES AGING HOUSING STOCK, RENOVATES TO ENSURE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, SAFETY, AND ACCESSIBILITY, AND PROVIDES THE UNITS TO INCOME QUALIFYING HOUSEHOLDS. AS A 'COMMUNITY CONVENER' WE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD TO OVERSEE THE LOCAL CONTINUUM OF CARE (DBA AS THE OZARKS ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS - OAEH). THE OAEH GOVERNS POLICIES AND PROGRAMMING FUNDED THROUGH THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) INCLUDING CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC) AND EMERGENCY SOLUTION GRANT (ESG) FEDERAL INITIATIVES. FUNDING THROUGH COC AND ESG TOTALS OVER $1 MILLION DOLLARS AND SUPPORTS DIRECT SERVICE AGENCIES INCLUDING CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN MISSOURI, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, GREAT CIRCLE/EMPOWERING YOUTH, HARMONY HOUSE, COUNCIL OF CHURCHES' SAFE TO SLEEP PROGRAM, THE KITCHEN INC., AND THE INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY ALLIANCES.CPO AND THE OAEH SPEARHEADED EFFORTS TO PROTECT THOSE WITHOUT A HOME FROM THE IMPACT OF COVID WHEN THE PANDEMIC LANDED IN OUR REGION. THROUGH CARES ACT FUNDING, WE PROVIDED EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR MORE THAN 1,300 COVID VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND PROVIDED SHELTER DIVERSION ASSISTANCE TO 138 HOUSEHOLDS. FURTHER, THE OAEH CONDUCTS A SPECIALIZED STUDY OF YOUTH AGED 13-24 WHO ARE HOMELESS AS DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (MORE BROADLY DEFINED THAN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT). THIS STUDY INCORPORATES POINT IN TIME DATA FOR YOUTH, A SURVEY, AND INFORMATION FROM THE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS. TO THIS END, CPO FORMALLY LAUNCHED THE HUD MANDATED COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM IN FEBRUARY 2017 THROUGH OUR ONE DOOR PROGRAM. THE ONE DOOR PROGRAM NOW HOLDS THE HOMELESS BY-NAME-LIST, WHICH IS A PRIORITIZED LISTING OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. TWICE EACH MONTH, ONE DOOR FACILITATES CASE CONFERENCING WITH ALL FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REFER HOUSEHOLDS FOR ALL AVAILABLE UNITS. ONE DOOR AND ITS 6 'FRONT DOOR' ENTITIES CONDUCT ALL ASSESSMENTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR AT RISK. IN 2019-2020, ONE DOOR STAFF COMPLETED MORE THAN 2,400 INTAKE ASSESSMENTS, AVERAGING 186 ASSESSMENTS PER MONTH.A FOCUSED EFFORT TO PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION TAKES PLACE DURING KEY MONTHS DEDICATED TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOMELESS AWARENESS. IN NOVEMBER, THE OAEH HELD AN ENTIRE MONTH OF PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN HONOR OF HOMELESS AWARENESS MONTH. CPO AND OUR OAEH BEGINS THIS IMPORTANT MONTH WITH THE RELEASE OF ANNUAL REPORTS ON HOMELESSNESS. THE MONTH IS HIGHLIGHTED WITH TWO SIGNATURE EVENTS THAT BRING COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER TO END HOMELESSNESS THE HOPE CONNECTION/VETERAN'S STAND DOWN AND THE MO DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION'S HOMELESS LIAISON WORKSHOP. CPO AND THE OAEH ALSO COORDINATES THE CRISIS COLD WEATHER SHELTER PROGRAM EACH WINTER TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF OVERNIGHT EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS FOR ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. SHELTERS ARE INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED, BUT ALL FOLLOW PARAMETERS SET FORTH BY THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD'S DECLARATION OF ECONOMIC AND HOUSING CALAMITY TO ENSURE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF VOLUNTEERS/GUESTS AS WELL AS BEST PRACTICES ESTABLISHED THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP'S OZARKS ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY OF SERVICE ACROSS ALL SITES. ALL CRISIS COLD WEATHER SHELTER SITES OPERATED IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE CITY CODES AND HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SEVERAL SHELTER SITES REDUCED THEIR INDIVIDUAL BED CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE APPROPRIATE SOCIAL DISTANCING. HOWEVER, BECAUSE NEW CRISIS COLD WEATHER SHELTER SITES WERE ABLE TO OPEN THIS YEAR, NO ONE SEEKING SHELTER WAS TURNED AWAY DUE TO LACK OF BEDS. IN PREVIOUS YEARS 3 SITES PROVIDED CRISIS COLD WEATHER SHELTER BEDS. IN 2020-2021, 8 SITES PROVIDED ON-GOING SHELTER BEDS OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON. NEW SHELTER SITES WERE ABLE TO SERVE COUPLES AND PEOPLE WITH PETS, WHICH ADDRESSES TWO REASONS PEOPLE OFTEN MAY NOT SEEK SHELTER. THE EXPANDED SITES ALSO INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT OF CRISIS COLD WEATHER SHELTERS. DURING THE 2020-2021 SEASON, CRISIS COLD WEATHER SHELTERS WERE OPEN 74 NIGHTS, PROVIDING 5,907 BED NIGHTS (INCLUDES DUPLICATED NUMBERS SERVED). AN AVERAGE OF 80 PEOPLE WERE SERVED PER NIGHT, WITH THE HIGHEST USE OCCURRING IN FEBRUARY (AVERAGE OF 112 PEOPLE SERVED PER NIGHT), WHEN THERE WAS EXTENDED EXTREME TEMPERATURES. ACROSS SHELTERS, APPROXIMATELY 370 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED.