The Village Pilot

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

The Village Pilot was created by the Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department to test a new model of integrated, community-based service delivery. The Village Pilot integrated teams of staff from heavily utilized human service areas in a community location where demographics indicated high level of need. Instead of having clients who have multiple social services needs go to different service locations to get each need met, clients who walk into the Village are directed to an appropriate coverage worker for assessment. Clients all have an initial plan of action and a “warm hand-off” to resources when they leave. Through not every client need can be met at the Village, this coordinated approach eases client stress and allows the Village to immediately make specific referrals to a blend of County and community resources tailored to address specific client needs. Online goal planning tools, electronic data sharing improvements, and file storage increase efficiencies across service areas. Studies indicate 97% customer satisfaction, 93% client goal attainment, and 100% of responding community partners having had a positive interaction with the Village Pilot. Learnings from the Village Pilot are being incorporated into a county-wide human service regionalization.