COLLABORATIVE PROMISE
The following statements are like a promise for how we all work together in the Community Response Collaborative to help children, families, and young people in Douglas County do well and be happy. This promise supports working together to create plans and actions that everyone agrees on, including families, people from different agencies, and members of the community. We follow important guidelines to make sure we’re doing the best we can to support and protect families. This group and everyone involved agree to:
Assist Families BEFORE Help is Needed:
- Keep families out of tough situations.
- Cheer on what young people and families do best.
- Work together to support families.
- Prepare families for potential emergencies.
Use a Plan That Works:
- Have a plan that checks we’re doing things right.
- This plan should support families, enhance their conditions, and guarantee that everyone is on the same page.
Be Good Teammates:
- Be clear about what we are doing and how to help.
- Make everyone feel welcomed.
- Work through any problems.
- Create solutions.
- Say “thank you for your hard work“, learn from one another, and avoid wasting time doing the same thing twice.
Families and Young People Lead:
- They help make decisions.
- Build trust – and focus on what each person is good at.
- Support new, family-friendly ways of doing things.
Everyone Gets a Say:
- Everyone has a voice in what we do and how we do it.
- Our leaders come from all over: local families, nonprofit agencies, businesses, churches, etc.
- Make sure we’re all in sync and moving in the same direction.
Treat Everyone Fairly:
- Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak up.
- Listen to those who are often ignored.
- Always check we’re being fair and inclusive.
Make It Easy to Get Help:
- Use what we have smartly.
- Help families find the help they need in a simplistic way.
- Ensure the assistance provided is well-suited for the family’s needs.
Spend Wisely and Fairly:
- Make sure we have the money and support we need.
- Plan our spending so everyone benefits and we can do our work well.
- Pay those who help out – especially young people and families.