In this conversation, Jessica Schmidtberger and Vanessa Matt discuss the concept of functional zero in addressing homelessness, emphasizing the importance of street outreach and community support. They explore strategies for effective outreach, the significance of building trust with individuals experiencing homelessness, and the role of advocacy and allyship in supporting marginalized communities. The discussion also highlights practical ways for community members to contribute to efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and homelessness.

resources:

Zero KC | CITY OF KANSAS CITY | OFFICIAL WEBSITE

San Diego Homeless Outreach Worker (HOW) Best Practices

Functional Zero - Community Solutions

takeaways:

• Functional zero indicates a community's overall experience of homelessness is rare and brief.
• Street outreach connects individuals with essential services.
• Building rapport is crucial in outreach work.

• Being an ally means showing up for those in need.
• Advocacy involves providing accurate information to combat disinformation.
• Community support can take many forms, including volunteering and donations.
• Understanding local resources is key to effective outreach.

contact:

[email protected]

keywords:

Functional zero, homelessness, street outreach, community support, advocacy, allyship, Kansas City, resource navigation, poverty, social work

In this episode of Empower Wyandotte, host Jessica Schmidtberger engages with Kelly Gough Moran, the Director of Development and Communications at CrossLines Community Outreach. They discuss the significance of person-centered language, ethical storytelling, and the impact of community outreach on individuals experiencing homelessness. Kelly shares real-life stories, including that of Raymond, a man who overcame homelessness with the support of CrossLines. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing individual strengths, the challenges of systemic issues, and the power of effective communication in fostering community empowerment.

resources:

https://www.cross-lines.org/what-we-do/who-we-help-and-client-stories.html

People Who Are Homeless are People First: Opportunity for Community Psychologists to Lead in Language Reframing by Geri Palmer

Can a Brief Strength-Based Parenting Intervention Boost Self-Efficacy and Positive Emotions in Parents? | International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology

an opportunity to explore your strengths:

https://www.viacharacter.org/

https://tayyabrashid.com/pdf/via_strengths.pdf

takeaways:

• Person-centered language in communication is important.
• Ethical storytelling can change perceptions about homelessness.
• Recognizing individual strengths is crucial in outreach efforts.
• Community involvement is essential for effective support.

• Systemic challenges must be acknowledged but not overwhelming.
• Volunteers play a vital role in community outreach.
• Empowerment comes from recognizing dignity and respect.
• Authenticity in communication fosters trust and engagement.

contact:

[email protected]

keywords:

Empower Wyandotte, community outreach, ethical storytelling, person-centered language, strengths-based communication, social impact, CrossLines Community Outreach, systemic challenges, volunteerism, community support

In this episode of Empower Wyandotte, host Jessica Schmidtberger engages with Kitana Lemus, the community engagement manager at Cross-Lines Community Outreach. They discuss the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) in Wyandotte County, focusing on social determinants of health, community engagement, and the challenges faced in improving health outcomes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse needs of the community and the role of individuals in driving change.

resources:

About - Kansas City Kansas Unified Schl Dist 500

Wyandotte County Census Data

Wyandotte County, KS | Data USA.

Community Health Improvement Plan – Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS

Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) | Full Report

Community Health Assessment – Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS

CHIP contacts:

behavioral health

Andrea Generaux - [email protected]

health care access

Andrea Adams - [email protected]

jobs & education

Monica Brede - [email protected]

safe & affordable housing

Kitana Lemus - [email protected]

violence prevention

Minah Chapell - [email protected]

Emily Voss - [email protected]

Maddie Dumbell - [email protected]

Dr. Jomella Walson-Thompson - [email protected]

Dola Williams - [email protected]

Shelby Woodward - [email protected]

takeaways:

• Wyandotte County is home to a diverse population.
• The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) focuses on safe & affordable housing, healthcare access, jobs & education, violence prevention, and behavioral health.
• Social determinants of health significantly impact community well-being.
• Racism, poverty, and trauma are critical lenses for understanding health disparities.
• Community engagement is essential for effective health initiatives.

• Understanding existing efforts can help avoid duplicating work.

• Everyone can contribute to community health improvement efforts.

contact:

[email protected]

keywords:

Wyandotte County, community health, CHIP, social determinants of health, community engagement, affordable housing, health disparities, racism, poverty, trauma

In this episode, Jessica Schmidtberger speaks with Katie Wiegand, a Master of Social Work and community resource navigator, about the critical importance of documentation for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. They discuss the challenges faced in obtaining essential documents like IDs, social security cards, and birth certificates, and how these barriers impact access to jobs, healthcare, and government benefits. Through real-life examples, they highlight the complexities of navigating bureaucratic systems and the need for empathy and grace in supporting those in need.

resources:

Restrictive ID Policies: Implications for Health Equity - PMC

“You Need ID to Get ID”: A Scoping Review of Personal Identification as a Barrier to and Facilitator of the Social Determinants of Health in North America

takeaways:

• Documentation is crucial for accessing jobs and benefits.
• Many individuals lack essential documents due to various circumstances.
• The process of obtaining documents can be bureaucratic and complex.
• Real-life examples illustrate the challenges faced by clients.
• Grace and empathy are essential in supporting those in need.

• The timeline for obtaining documents can vary significantly.

• Conversations about these issues can foster understanding and support.
• Everyone deserves dignity and respect in their struggles.

contact:

[email protected]

keywords:

Documentation, community support, social services, homelessness, government benefits, identification, social security, birth certificate, access to resources, empathy

In this episode of Empower Wyandotte, host Jessica Schmidtberger engages with Susila Jones, the executive director of Cross-Lines Community Outreach. They discuss the importance of navigating ethical dilemmas in social work, the need for collaboration and team-based solutions, and the significance of maintaining client dignity and trust. Susila shares insights on navigating systematic barriers in social services and emphasizes the role of community involvement and advocacy in addressing concerns like homelessness and food insecurity.

resources:

United Community Services of Johnson County

Engaging in Authentic Allyship as Part of Our Professional Development - ScienceDirect

Child Hunger & Poverty in Kansas | Map the Meal Gap

takeaways:

• It's crucial to bring ethical dilemmas to the table with a team.
• Building trust with clients is essential for effective service.
• Maintaining client dignity is a priority in social work.
• Systematic barriers can hinder effective assistance.
• Team-based solutions can help navigate complex client situations.
• Flexible funding allows for tailored support to clients.

• Education and advocacy can empower individuals to make a difference.
• Everyone has a role in community service based on their passions.
• Conversations about social issues can inspire collective action.

contact:

[email protected]

keywords:

Empower Wyandotte, Susila Jones, social work, ethical dilemmas, community outreach, client dignity, systematic barriers, advocacy, community involvement, Cross-Lines Community Outreach

In this episode of Empower Wyandotte, host Jessica Schmidtberger introduces the podcast's mission to explore the social determinants of health (SDOH) affecting the Wyandotte County community. She discusses her experiences with Cross-Lines Community Outreach and emphasizes the value of understanding and navigating community resources for empowerment. The conversation aims to foster empathy, knowledge, and action among community members to create positive change.

resources:

Cross-Lines Community Outreach

About - Kansas City Kansas Unified School District 500

Wyandotte County Census Data

Wyandotte County, KS | Data USA

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) | About CDC

Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030

Functional Zero - Community Solutions

takeaways:

• Empower Wyandotte focuses on health and community systems.
• Social determinants of health significantly impact quality of life.

• Understanding social determinants can foster empathy.

• Knowledge is a powerful tool for community empowerment.
• Informed community members can drive change.
• Everyone has the capability to contribute positively.

contact:

[email protected]

keywords:

Empower Wyandotte, social determinants of health, community health, occupational therapy, poverty, housing insecurity, food access, community resources, health education, advocacy