Ozark County social worker helps to bring ‘Helping Hands’ to those who need them

The Ozark County Children’s Division is partnering with local churches and individuals to help meet the needs of the families and children they serve. The Helping Hands faith-based initiative will hold an informational meeting, open to the public, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at First Baptist Church in Gainesville.

The effort is being organized by local social worker Wendy Donley, who worked for the Department of Social Services for more than 12 years, nine of them in the Children’s Division. Since May 2018, Donley has held a position on the Behavioral Health Unit at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

The Missouri faith-based initiative was launched in 2007 when then-governor Matt Blunt signed the Faith Based Organization Liaison Act (SB 46), which allows the Children’s Division to designate regional liaisons to work with churches and other faith-based groups to help communities meet needs locally. 

“While organizing this Initiative, I’ve recognized that our community is more than capable and willing to meet these needs. In fact, our local churches and individuals have already been doing this,” Donley said. “Teaming together with the Children’s Division allows an even greater opportunity to reach those most vulnerable.”

Donley named the local program “Helping Hands,” because, “as individuals or as church congregations working together, we all are capable of using our skills, talents and hands to help those in need.”

Needs are identified by Children’s Division caseworkers or investigators, and then are passed on to the Children’s Division liaison, who contacts the Helping Hands liaison. That person then passes on the need to Helping Hands members made up of church representative and caring individuals.  

“Caseworkers identify needs that foster children and foster parents may have,” Donley said. “Caseworkers and investigators also work with families whose children have not been removed from the home. Needs are identified and met to help prevent a child from being removed from the home. Examples of needs include transportation, mentors, childcare, food, hygiene, school supplies, home maintenance, training activities, etc. The list can go on and on.”

When the Helping Hands liaison is made aware of a need, it is posted on a closed Facebook page or sent by email or text message. Those who respond to meet the need are put in contact with either the Children’s Division caseworker or the liaison. “Confidentiality is of upmost importance, and the names of children or families being helped are not disclosed unless the family receiving assistance signs a HIPPA release through the Children’s Division,” Donley added.

All churches and individuals interested in being part of this Initiative are invited to participate by attending the Feb. 28 meeting. A representative and alternate representative will be appointed from each church to attend future meetings as the contact for their church and take back information learned at meetings to their  congregation, Donley said.

Anyone interested in learning more are encouraged to attend the meeting or may contact Donley at 417-989-0710.