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Council debates scope of Community Connectors program: immediate services versus long-term civic engagement
Summary
City staff presented an updated Community Connectors model and NLC technical assistance; councilors debated whether the program should prioritize immediate linkage to social services and information for hard-to-reach residents or also pursue long-term, two-way civic engagement and resident empowerment. Staff noted initial ARPA-funded seed money and possible carryover to FY27.
City staff presented an updated Community Connectors concept to the Takoma Park City Council and sought council direction on the initiative’s scope and near-term next steps.
Ryan (staff lead) explained the program’s origins (ARPA support and an initial FY23 concept that proposed a lead navigator and part-time navigators) and described alternative delivery models tested in other cities, including organization-network approaches and individual community navigators. He said the National League of Cities’ Community Engagement Academy will provide technical assistance and training as the city refines the model.
Staff emphasized two possible emphases for the initiative: (1) a short-term, service-oriented focus to reach hard-to-reach residents with information and direct links to social…
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