Locating Helping Resources & Becoming A Service Detective From the NYS Citizen's Coalition for Children, Inc.

Parent Groups can provide an invaluable service to their members by assisting them to locate community services and information resources to address the complex special needs common to foster and adopted children. Available services and resources reach far beyond those available from (or even known to) voluntary agencies and local social services districts. Caseworkers cannot be expected to be information experts about the multiplicity of programs in New York's complex human service system and are often unaware of services available from other state agencies and non-for-profit organizations.

Instead of complaining about what caseworkers may not be aware of or what isn't available, parents can help themselves, and group leaders can help their members by becoming "Service Detectives" to uncover resources which might be sitting right in their own back yards. Service Detectives are curious, they ask questions of everybody and anybody they think might know something until they get answers that make sense. They don't take no for an answer - if someone says it's not their job, they ask whose job it is. They take the initiative, aren't afraid to admit what they don't know, and are willing to "ask the stupid question." Service Detectives take responsibility for their own information rather than depending on others, and most important, once they know the answers they share them widely with others in their community.

The internet is a great place to start, just be sure to follow up with local calls to providers in your own community. Don't forget to check out local information resources such as your community's United Way, public library, chamber of commerce, or information warm line. Here are some internet resources to help you on your way to earning your Detective Badge.

NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
607-272-0034 • fax 607-272-0035
office@nysccc.org
04/06/05