Fund Epic Stakeholder

[Rmship]

Mr. Mayor,

Your effort thus far regarding the health, welfare and safety of the residents of our city is inspiring. There much to be accomplished. Regarding today’s’ (Friday 1/24/08 http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080124_First_major_re... )

The article begins with: The Department of Human Services has made significant headway in rethinking how it protects children.

How true that is, as a active member of the community I have seen, felt and applauded the positive effects of the work by the DHS especially the Community based services.

Community EPIC Stakeholder Groups are made up of individuals who live and/or work in a community and are actively involved in the continued development of that community including eradicating challenges to school attendance and performance. Recognizing that truancy is generally a symptom of other problems occurring for the family such as of poverty, lack of family cohesion, child abuse/neglect, community violence and/or behavioral and physical health problems, stakeholder groups are committed to addressing challenges facing the community.



There are ten stakeholder groups located throughout Philadelphia that are facilitated by truancy prevention provider agencies. They meet monthly and utilize a process called Equal Partnership In Change (EPIC) to develop and implement action plans that complement and enhance the community's assets. They also have the opportunity to receive community development funds and technical assistance and training to facilitate, organize, develop and implement action plans.



EPIC stakeholders, attend and support various community meetings and events. Facilitate the development of pro-active relationships between informal and formal support networks in the neighborhood. Actively advocate for school attendance. Build partnerships between community residents, the family court, law enforcement and the school district. Identify, organize, enhance and utilize community resources and assets, Identify and support the informal support network.

Develop programs that reduce and eradicate the challenges to school attendance. Provide individual support to families of truant children. Develop proposals for community development funds. Attend trainings in team building, budget development and action planning.

Please fund and enlist these folks in the spirit that you talk about when you state that your administration will work a new way. Check in with The EPIC organizations, they are the true hand to hand grunt soldiers in this city. They work hard with little fuss and appreciation. The city department of human services is moving forward and improving on every level, keep the search for new leadership close to home. The current DHS leadership has what it takes to finish its job without outside interference with all due respect, Mr. Mayor please listen to the heartbeat of the community, EPIC groups are key.

Bob Shipman, ISCV , Phila. More Beautiful Committee, Block Captain 3^rd District, 3^rd Dist. Police District Advisory Council, S. P. EPIC stakeholders member