2011 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• We initiated the Pathways to Hope program, an intensive case management program to help stabilize survivors of domestic violence into their own safe and affordable home.

• We hired a part-time staff member as a parish liaison to facilitate referrals from the faith community and to enhance volunteer-based services.

• We increased the reach of supportive services to seniors through a new collaboration with MediGold, a Medicare Advantage Plan.

2012 GOALS

• We will revise the agency’s three-year strategic plan by evaluating our portfolio of programs and services, continuing to evaluate each program’s contribution to the overall agency mission, and making decisions to reduce or increase services in various program areas.

• We will enhance the agency’s computer systems, installing a new integrated donor database and financial accounting system and providing staff with up-to-date equipment and software and increased security features.

• We will update the agency’s website, allowing us to make changes in-house and helping us to better communicate with potential volunteers, enhancing services provided.
  
  

Catholic Social Services (CSS) is a faith-based agency providing a wide array of programs for individuals and families of all faiths. We serve these individuals and families throughout their life cycle. CSS has been serving the central Ohio community since 1945, working throughout 23 counties of central and southern Ohio. Offices are located in Columbus, Newark, Portsmouth, and Zanesville. Catholic Social Services is an award-winning agency, accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), which certifies that all operations and programs meet best practice standards for professional service. CSS is a member of Catholic Charities USA, a member agency of United Way of Central Ohio, and licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Health.

In 2011, CSS initiated services to survivors of domestic violence in a new program Pathways to Hope. CSS works with CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, the domestic violence shelter in Franklin County, to receive referrals from those wanting to make a fresh start and establish themselves independently. The agency helps these women and their families transition from emergency shelter into affordable and independent living, safe from the abuser, by providing long-term, intensive case management. We were fortunate to have a proposal for funding granted from the Office of Violence Against Women that will offset the program costs for the next three years. Even with this funding, CSS is using some of its reserves because this service is very needed in the community.

The downturn in the economy for the past few years has been very challenging for the nonprofit social service sector. Like most service agencies, we have seen an increase in the number of requests for help, but have not been able to find additional resources and funding to meet those requests. With an active and committed board of directors, and a positive working relationship with agency leadership, we have begun the work to again clarify our mission and vision. I am very proud of CSS for initiating the Pathways to Hope program that works with the survivors of domestic violence. This program is unique in central Ohio and is one of a few that offers long-term case management to help survivors establish and maintain a new start on life.