Responding to an explosion in general assistance applications, Wiscasset General Assistance Administrator Lisa Garman is developing a plan to better organize Lincoln County’s many programs, organizations, and community resources.
According to Garman, general assistance applications have doubled since 2011.
“This uptick in the number of applications results from homelessness, unemployment, and great public demand, coupled with decreased State funding,” Garman wrote in a memo to the Lincoln County Commissioners Feb. 7.
Garman explained that a lack of communication between Lincoln County’s myriad organizations and programs has prevented some families from receiving assistance while allowing others to exploit the system.
“There are plenty of examples of families that slip through the cracks, but also of families that become repetitive users,” Garman wrote.
Garman hopes to create a “Lincoln County Community Resources” collaborative that would allow groups from various Lincoln County towns to better orchestrate general assistance efforts.
“The point is to get everyone talking to each other, get resources out, and eliminate duplications,” Garman said.
The Lincoln County Community Resources is being modeled off of the Boothbay Region Community Resources, an organization that “assists persons in need by providing funds, information, and referrals in a confidential and collaborative manner” while informing citizens of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport, and Edgecomb about “social services available that may provide help.”
“My hope is to be as successful as Boothbay is,” Garman said.
Commissioner Lynn Gilley Orne suggested Garman reach out to leaders in local churches and social clubs, such as the Lions Club and Freemasons.
“It’s those people who have contacts, know what people get what, and what resources are out there,” Orne said.
Orne also suggested Garman also break down Lincoln County Community Resources into subsections of geographically similar communities rather than keeping it monolithic.
“You’ll get more heart and soul on a smaller scale than at a county level,” Orne said.
Following up on Orne’s suggestion, Commissioner Bill Blodgett said the subsections could meet on a regular basis to review resources available to each group.
Lincoln County Community Resources will hold its first meeting Wed., Feb. 29 at 6 p.m. in the Wiscasset Town Office’s hearing room. Those interested in taking part in this effort can contact Lisa Garman at 882-8200, ext. 103, or by email at admin@wiscasset.org.
