June is Community Collaborative Month!

Tags: Collaborations

A person in a place of need often feels vulnerable and helpless.  Seeking services, especially for an entire family, can be overwhelming when you don’t know what is out there or how to find it.

Our regional community collaboratives work to simplify the process of seeking and receiving support services.  To honor their tireless efforts, the Board of Supervisors of Nevada County, for the first time ever, proclaimed June 2015 as Community Collaborative Month.

Community collaboratives are a network of public and private sector service providers who, rather than working as separate entities, work to integrate services. Nevada County is served by the Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee (CCTT) and the  Community Support Network of Nevada County (CSNNC).

In his letter to the Board, Department of Social Services Director Mike Dent describes the work of the collaboratives:

“By holding regular, focused meetings, the CSNNC and CCTT improve and foster communication, coordination and collaboration of both public and private agency services for families. They advocate for families by identifying, raising awareness, building recognition and enhancing visibility around existing and emerging issues that strengthen families and improve the health and quality of life for people in our community — especially those facing challenges and who are often underserved.”

The percentage of Nevada County children living below the Federal poverty level continues to grow at an alarming rate (from 6.9% in 2005-2007 to 19% in 2010-2012). Agencies collaborate so that there are no gaps or duplications in services to these children and their families.

CCTT, a Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation program, serves the broader North Tahoe region. Headed by Alison Schwedner, CCTT speaks as a united voice for 45 diverse service providers which include government, nonprofit, business, youth, and faith based partners from the region, Grass Valley, Auburn, and the CSNNC.

Our community is grateful for our regional collaboratives who make it possible for a family to thrive, instead of simply survive.  Per the Proclamation: “Every family has the right to live, learn, grow, work, and play in a safe and supportive community and to be afforded the opportunity to realize the full potential of all its members.”

This article first appeared in the 6/24/2015 Sierra Sun’s Give Back Tahoe page as part of the Holiday Giving Guide.  TTCF is proud to be a partner in this campaign, and proud to work with the Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee. Please watch Sierra Sun’s Wednesday Give Back Tahoe page to learn more about our fantastic nonprofit community and the organizations that make it up.