History
HISTORY OF THE CHESTERFIELD COUNTY COORDINATING COUNCIL
Members of the professional human services community became frustrated and concerned with the rise in juvenile crime and the treatment of youthful offenders. Realizing that working with youth is not an exclusive function of their agencies, the two took their concerns to the Chesterfield County residing legislator.
Mrs. Jean Harris convened a meeting of all local state agency representatives and county government officials to discuss the issues of prevention, intervention, and treatment of juvenile offenders and other issues. It became obvious at the first meeting, in early 1993, that many agencies in the county had common problems and some of these problems were not limited to youth-related issues. After several meetings, the participants discovered that services to county residents were being duplicated, resources were limited, and the quality of services was not what it could be in many cases.
The group began to meet monthly, forming the Chesterfield County Coordinating Council and has continued to grow in its membership of county human service providers. The CCCC adopted a mission statement and obtained incorporation and 501(c)(3) status in late 1996. The Council continues to assess current and needed services and identifies critical issues facing the county. The current committees are: Program & Information Services, Youth Development Coalition, Health, and Volunteer. The Adult Interagency Treatment Team was long-standing and works closely with the CCCC since each agency is a CCCC participant.
Projects to date include:
- Development of a countywide resource manual maintained through the website, www.chesterfieldcoordinating.org. Multiple specific resource lists are available there, also. The Program & Information Services Committee is responsible for the planning of informative, interactive Global Discussions at the monthly CCCC meetings.
- The CCCC Youth Development Coalition that participated in the federal Drug Free Communities initiative to prevent teen substance use, works closely with the SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on projects to reduce teen pregnancy, and surveys students annually about risky behavior. The CCCC-YDC was awarded a STOP Act grant to address underage drinking and is a partner with the Institute on Family & Neighborhood Life at Clemson University on a NIJ funded research project on school safety having just completed a NIH funded research project studying teen dating violence in a rural community.
- The Health Committee has conducted a Community Engagement Assessment that surveyed more than 1500 county residents, has collected pictures for a photo essay, partnered with volunteers to do a focus group, and hosted the Forces of Change community meeting. The compiled report is being used by many agencies in grant development, program planning and decision making. The strategic planning process is engaging residents in specific projects to address identified issues.
- Production of the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to assist small agencies within the county to promote and maintain volunteer opportunities.
- Continuation of a Blast Meals Program for vulnerable adults by the Adult Interagency Treatment Team with grants from the local United Way.
- Retention of a Director to serve as staff to the Council and assist the committees. The Director is paid from a pool of agency and grant funds.
A seed of true cooperation has grown into a thriving commitment by all members of the Chesterfield County Coordinating Council to provide quality services to our residents through a unified effort, working together to reach common goals. Through these efforts, the CCCC is responsible for bringing more than $6 million in outside funding to the county. That translates into an improved quality of life in Chesterfield County!
04/17