Community Based Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Catawba County has been in a downward economic spiral since 2000. Many local manufacturing jobs in the textile and furniture industries have moved to third world countries where labor is a cheap commodity. Thousands of local citizens are now unemployed or underemployed amidst this national crisis. Many of these local citizens are now seeking assistance to meet the basic needs of their families. The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) provides federal funds to low-income families in heating and cooling crises. Social Services had been overwhelmed with the volume of applicants for these funds prior to the implementation of this program. In April 2009, Social Services’ staff met with representatives from three local nonprofit agencies to discuss the possibility of joining forces to serve families in a more holistic manner. As a result of these discussions, CIP funds were made available to these agencies. When families visit those agencies, their needs are assessed and assistance can be provided in a more seamless manner. The helping agency is able to help the family out of the crisis using their resources or those of the CIP program. In addition, families are able to apply for these services closer to home as these three helping agencies are located in areas nearer to the population centers of the county.