First 2009 Get Smart Session – Summary

On Tuesday, March 10th PSVP Partners and friends were invited for an informative discussion with Robert Stumpp, Sr Policy at Allegheny County Health and Human Services Department, and Bob Melkin, President and Chief Professional Officer of the United Way of Allegheny County. The discussion took place at the United Way offices in the Strip District.

The goal of this discussion was to help PSVP Partners determine PSVP’s own interests and goals for the upcoming year, and to spur ideas about potential future investees. This event also served as the first of several of the Grant Review Committee’s “Get smart” sessions.

Mr. Nelkin discussed the SNAP™ Pittsburgh initiatives and the important efforts of Tom Canfield. SNAP™ (Stop Now and Plan) is a program that treats behaviorally troubled boys and girls between the ages of six and twelve who have gotten in trouble with the police, intervening with children “too young for the system.” The program is the longest running, highest ranked, and the most easily replicated program of its kind. Mr. Nelkin attributed this success to the program’s emphasis of “best practices.”

To combat effects of economic crisis, the United Way has jointly created, along with The Pittsburgh Foundation, a special emergency fund, Neighborhood-Aid. Neighborhood-Aid is a community fund benefitting families and individuals facing hardship. The fund supports front line non-profit organizations. In times of economic crisis, non-profits face struggles threefold: a surge in demand for human services, cuts in public funding, and decline in giving as philanthropists have less discretionary dollars. For more about these effects download The Forbes Fund’s Family Economic Survey (PDF 344 KB).

The United Way of Allegheny County’s projects preventing youth violence include a Youth Crime Prevention Council to unite violence prevention efforts in the city and county. Additionally the United Way’s initiatives reach youths on three levels of violent behavior. Prevention: Teaching children self-control, conflict resolution, and to avoid risky situations. Early Intervention: Reaching children at the first sign of serious problems. And Street Intervention: Engaging older youths in constructive activities that contribute to the well-being of the community and peaceful co-existence with rival neighborhoods.

The United Way of Allegheny County’s also has four projects for motivating kids to succeed in school. Early childhood initiatives where children are prepared to succeed when they begin school. Community-based after-school programs to strengthen academic skills. Tutoring and mentoring from adults to both improve academics and create meaningful relationships. And school-to-work programs to help youths know the connection between coursework and career goals, and help develop appropriate career aspirations.

Allegheny County’s Human Service’s top priorities for 2009 include: transitions out of foster care into permanent housing and disseminating information to communities through community organizers. Mr. Stubbs explained that even getting foster children into college provided some relief, as has ACTION-Housing, Inc.. He stated that Allegheny County is a leader in discretionary programs.

In the discussion following the presentations, questions from Partners surrounded mentoring. Both the County and the United Way have mentoring programs and are in need of volunteers from the community to be mentors. Questions still remain regarding how PSVP could participate. Would the program become an investee of PSVP’s, would partners work with mentors, or can we help faciliate the marketing of the program, or help get other local nonprofits on board with the program,etc?

Many Partners are very interested in doing something.

Thanks to co-Chairs Dan Koett and Erin Queen, and the Education Committee, this thought provoking and productive event successfully provided an opportunity to decipher from top officials in the County what the top priorities were in the Cty in 2009 for human services, especially endangered youth. PSVP can use this information to decide its own directives and priorities for the year.
Anthony Closkey
With special thanks to Erin Queen.