Promising Practices

Improving Relationships with other Community Agencies
Allen and Vanderburgh Counties, Indiana

In Allen and Vanderburgh Counties, the clerical/reception staff in the assistance offices routinely updates local community agencies, food banks, WIC offices, housing services, and advocates on major policy changes, public notices, COLA updates, etc. The offices have a standard system of prepared envelopes for local agencies that serve the same population that the assistance office serves, so it is easy to keep them abreast of changes that affect the FS clientele. This practice, builds rapport with other agencies and facilitates community relations; when clients who utilize their services mention concerns about their FS case or EBT card, the agencies and advocates are prepared to help them understand what may have happened. Local agencies feel more connected and well-informed of changes. Clients are better served when agencies act in partnership to help the clients rather than act as adversaries or act without knowledge of major changes.

Suggestion: Be sure to keep the list of agencies’ addresses up to date.

For more information, contact:

Sue Carson, Director
Vanderburgh County Administration
100 E. Sycamore St., PO Box 154
Evansville, IN 47701
(812)421-5404

Last modified: 11/21/2008