About Social Services of Clackamas County (SSCC)

Social Services of Clackamas County supports the Social Services Division and assists Clackamas County citizens in three ways:

• Direct support to individuals in need;
• Support for volunteers and volunteer programs that serve people in need; and
• Support for innovative projects that improve the quality of life for low-income populations in Clackamas County.

Social Services has no staff; its board members and other supporters are all volunteers.  The organization's budget is about $175,000 annually.  Revenue sources include individual and corporate donations, grants, and community fund-raising events.  The following is a list of the specific programs and funds supported through SS of CC.

MEALS ON WHEELS
Clackamas County Meals on Wheels (CCMOW) accepts donations for Clackamas County Meals on Wheels programs and distributes them on a regular basis to each of the 10 county meal sites.

DOLLARS FOR DILEMMAS
Dilemmas (D for D) is a fund that Social Services Division staff use, as a fund of last resort, to meet client emergency expenses. D for D serves approximately 150 clients each year and individuals receive an average of $30 in assistance.  Examples of the ways these funds are used include gasoline and bus tickets to enable clients to get to medical and social service appointments, work, job training or emergency shelter; prescription vouchers; food; diapers; and, partial utility payment (phone, water/sewer) to forestall shutoff.  The majority of clients are individuals or families that are homeless or recently unemployed and are either not eligible for other assistance or for whom eligibility is pending.  Funding for the program comes from The Oregonian’s Season for Sharing, business and private contributions and SS of CC fundraising activities. In addition, SS of CC administers several other small funds that provide emergency relief to specific populations such as veterans, mental health clients, or persons in need of prescription assistance.

JACKSON PLACE
Jackson Place provides eight transitional housing units for homeless individuals and couples without children.  It is the only program of its kind in the County.  SS of CC provides funds for special purchases for the apartments such as pots and pans, household linens, cleaning utensils, and tableware.

RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP)
RSVP, a program of the Division’s Volunteer Connection, recruits, interviews and links more than 900 volunteers fifty-five years and older with opportunities in the community.  RSVP volunteers work in schools, hospitals, museums, the arts and environment, and other non-profit agencies throughout Clackamas County.  SS of CC pays for volunteer’s mileage as well as training and volunteer recognition expenses.  Although the program receives partial federal funding, SS of CC provides supplemental assistance to support RSVP volunteers.

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM
The Senior Companion Program, a program of the Division’s Volunteer Connection,  recruits and supports 43 volunteers fifty-five and older to provide companionship and assistance to almost 200 frail and/or isolated seniors and disabled adults. The volunteers help them retain dignity and independence through shared activities, transportation, and friendship.  This program also receives partial federal funding. Supplemental assistance is provided through SS of CC to help pay for volunteer training and recognition.

TRANSPORTATION REACHING PEOPLE (TRP)
TRP, a program of the Division’s Volunteer Connection, recruits, screens, trains and schedules 125 volunteer drivers.   In 2005, the volunteers provided more than 17,000 rides to medical appointments and other errands for seniors and adults with disabilities.  TRP also uses three vans with specially trained drivers to meet specialized transportation needs. The Catch a Ride project is an example of one of these specialized transportation programs. Catch a Ride serves low-income transportation–disadvantaged citizens in the Milwaukie and Oregon City areas. With the help of community partners, the Catch a Ride Project will provide, in fiscal year 2006-07, more than 2,000 rides to at least 100 very low-income riders struggling to improve their self-sufficiency. An innovative element of this project is the use of welfare recipients as volunteer van drivers. Through Catch a Ride, we will train and assist at least 10 welfare recipients each year to find living wage jobs as professional drivers. TRP receives funds from federal and state sources, as well as donations from riders. SS of CC provides funds to support both the volunteers and the van programs.

HEALTHY START
Healthy Start, sponsored by the Division’s Volunteer Connection, furnishes volunteers who provide support and resources to parents with infants in Clackamas County.  Volunteers serve as hospital visitors, playgroup coordinators, and childcare providers for support and parent training groups.  SS of CC provides for volunteer training and recognition.

MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Money Management Program trains and supports volunteers who assist seniors and adults with disabilities with basic budgeting, checkbook balancing, and/or bill paying.  Some of the volunteers also act as Representative Payees for clients. SS of CC provides for volunteer training, support, and recognition.

PARTNERSHIP WITH PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAM
Sponsored jointly by the Social Services Division and the Housing Authority of Clackamas County, the Partnership with Public Housing program encourages the 567 very low-income households to take active roles in improving the quality of their lives through both individual and group action. Many residents volunteer in Resident Associations, teach classes, and engage in crime prevention or health and wellness activities, including gardening, art projects, holiday and community events, and much more. Funding for many of the special events and classes comes from SS of CC grant-writing efforts.

FOUNDERS FUND
This special fund, administered by SS of CC, provides for training and recognition of staff of the Clackamas County Social Services Division.  The fund includes anonymous donations and donations made by Division Managers.