Service-integration program says small city dollars leverage far larger partner contributions

Kim Dwire, presenting on behalf of Sanm Service Integration, told the Aumsville City Council that the program places multidisciplinary teams in school-district catchment areas to coordinate resources for households in need. She said the Cascade team begins its fiscal year with $8,000—$4,000 from the hospital and $4,000 from the school district—and that those funds roll over from year to year.

"For every one service integration dollar, we were able to leverage $22," Dwire said, citing last year's combined reporting for four teams. She described partners that sit "around the table" with the teams, including school districts, first responders, nonprofits and faith groups, and invited council and residents to attend Cascade team meetings at Turner Fire Department on the third Thursday of each month.

Dwire outlined eligible uses for team funds—rent, utilities, grocery cards, funeral expenses and other non-court-related needs—and said requests are vetted by the team before funds are dispersed. She said the Cascade team spent roughly $3,783 (as reported in the packet) and leveraged additional community dollars through local partners including the Salvation Army and Family Promise.

Councilors praised the partnerships and said the city will continue to look for ways to collaborate or contribute. The presentation closed with an invitation to consult the one-pager and annual report provided to council for further detail.

The council did not take any formal action on the presentation.