08/07/2006
Report Released - Deliberative Forums Series in Des Plaines, Illinois
"Meeting the Needs of Des Plaines Residents: What Does it Take?
A report about a series of four deliberative public forums held during May, 2006, in locations around Des Plaines, Illinois, has been released.
The report was part of a project titled Bulding Community through Creative Conversations that was supported with a grant from the Illinois State Library. The Des Plaines Public Library pursued the project in partnership with: Bethesda Worship Center, Genesis Center for Health and Empowerment, Des Plaines Healthy Community Parnership, Des Plaines Historical Society, Des Plaines Park District, Maine West High School, and Maine East High School.
The topic selected for the forum series was Meeting the Needs of Des Plaines Residents: What Does it Take? A discussion guide, with that title, was prepared for participants to use during the forums, and included the following overview and three approaches for consideration:
Meeting the needs of Des Plaines residents: What does it take?
Des Plaines residents work hard to provide for themselves and their families. Yet, from time to time, even hard-working people can find themselves needing help. At this time, when resources are limited and stretched and social service agencies continue to lose valuable funding, ensuring that all residents have what they need is complicated and uncertain. Single parents, families, immigrants, senior citizens and youth all struggle with the social and economic complexities of life. Affordable housing, health care, childcare, transportation and food are some of the basic needs facing our citizens. We must collectively decide how to provide these vital services to those who need them.
Approach 1: Educate and inform residents about available services
Residents of Des Plaines, both old and new, are not always aware of the resouces available to them in times of need or crisis. Effective publicity about current services and how to access them is a necessity. Showing the community where to turn for assistance is the key to meeting the needs of Des Plaines residents.
Approach 2: Increase and make more effective use of human and capital resources
Many different governmental and private agencies provide a wide variety of social services to our community. Increased coordination, cooperation and communication among these groups will result in better use of paid and volunteer staffs, and physical and financial resources. In addition, more efficient delivery of services to a broader segment of the community will be possible through this coordination.
Approach 3: Change public perception of the nature of the problem
Any Des Plaines resident or family may someday need help with a short-term crisis or a long-term problem. Yet, many people think only a few residents ever need social services. If community members understood that people in need are likely to be their neighbors, or even themselves, then all would be more committed to helping those in need.
The report and the discussion guide can be viewed and downloaded by clicking on the links above.
