PARTNERSHIP CHALLENGES

Decker families are trying to address problems that are complex, intergenerational, and entrenched. Decker staff routinely struggle with a lack of community understanding about how complicated these issues are, a problem most acute when it comes to applying for funding. Traditional funding sources generally require programs to separate service components, thereby making programs less responsive to client needs and going against the grain of Decker's integrated approach.

The gap between the services Decker is funded to provide and those needed by the families means that the Center often ends up providing services for which it is not reimbursed. Staff must continually assess the budget to see if such services can be provided, and these financial limits prevent them from helping everyone in need. Given these constraints, Decker staff emphasized the importance of personnel who have a passion for their work and are persistent, and above all, client-centered. If a family needs a service not available through Decker, case managers will do their best to help find the service, complete the paperwork, arrange transportation, etc. "You have to be about kids and families," says management team member Linda Hetson. Parenting class instructor Ruth Friend agrees, "I don't think you could do it if you were just showing up for a job."