Community Liaison

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

The Community Liaison position through the Warren County Department of Social Services was conceived following a two-day strategic planning retreat of the Warren County Youth Advisory Board in 2013, where twenty-five community partners met to research and address unmet needs of youth in Warren County. The Community Liaison, as originally proposed, would be a centralized intake source to identify these unmet needs and connect the youth of Warren County with existing community resources. However, as the definition and scope of the position expanded with help and input from additional community partners, so did the associated duties. The Community Liaison now reaches every population and demographic, linking every client, each with a unique set of circumstances, to services and gathering specific data based on the client’s needs, including financial information and previous assistance received. The Community Liaison partners with community-based organizations providing assistance and resources as well as participates in community events to help raise awareness of not only the position but pertinent issues in Warren County, including child/elder abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and mental health issues. The Community Liaison approaches every situation with compassion and empathy, striving to refer every client to the best possible community partners or individuals.