Washington County Family and Children First Director Cindy Davis speaks during the media launch of the community-wide program No Wrong Door on Wednesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Washington County Family and Children First Council announced the launch of the community-wide partnership project “No Wrong Door” on Wednesday.

The No Wrong Door initiative ensures individuals and families can receive the care they need within the community by reaching out to any of the community partners. Partners that have chosen to be part of the program will place a No Wrong Door decal on their business door or window for individuals to see.

Individuals in need of care can go into any No Wrong Door community organization and ask for help and where they need to be directed to. Organization partners can then analyze the situation and determine which area of care they need and contact the organization within the No Wrong Door program and direct them to that care.

During the launch event Wednesday, WCFCFC Director Cindy Davis said they wanted to formally announce all of the partners.

“The No Wrong Door initiative ensures that when an individual or family reaches out for help no matter where it is, whether they walk in your door or call your phone, they will be connected to resources,” said Davis.

Washington County Sheriff Mark Warden speaks about his experience with No Wrong Door during the launch event on Wednesday. The event was held at the Emergency Operations Center. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Davis said to prepare the organizations for the partnership, they are required to follow guidelines and expectations to ensure the needs of each individual are met. Partners of No Wrong Door will attend meetings and training to prepare for their role in No Wrong Door.

“Our goal is that every door is the right door,” she said. “We want to improve client and staff satisfaction and improve the service delivery system.”

Davis said the goal is to make navigating difficult circumstances easier for those in the community searching for help.

The event included personnel from partnering organizations throughout the county such as the Community Resource Center, Washington County Children Services, Ohio Valley Educational Service Center, and many, many more.

WCFCFC Service Coordinator and No Wrong Door Project Coordinator, Megan Gilliam said the program has had a huge impact on the community already.

“I have seen a change in the community over the last couple of years,” she said.

Gilliam said rather than sending individuals on a search to find the resource on their own, No Wrong Door allows for the organization to reach out directly to the partnering organization and get that individual direct, navigational help.

“It’s absolutely amazing, and a lot of times it sounds too good to be true … but I promise you I have seen it work,” she said. “We’re collaborating with each other and we’re not competing as to who has this many customers or patients or clients.”

Sheriff Mark Warden shared his testimonial on the project and said “this is huge.”

“Every one of these divisions is dealing with a crisis, we’re dealing with people who are a victim of domestic violence, housing, alcohol, drug abuse, and this program is a bridge,” said Warden.

Warden said from his experience, the program has started to make a difference within organizations and community members in need of assistance.

Every partnership received a resource guide booklet containing the contact information of every organization in the county from school support to law enforcement to everyday needs. Every No Wrong Door partner has a booklet available for easy access to those community resources.

Marietta/Belpre Health Department’s Director of Environmental Health, Kelly Miller said No Wrong Door has given her more opportunities to connect as an administrator.

“I’ve been able to network and collaborate with more agencies and see what resources are out there,” said Miller.

Miller encouraged her staff to attend the training and learn more about how they can help with No Wrong Door.

For more information about No Wrong Door or to become a partner visit www.wcfcfc.org/no-wrong-door

Current partners include:

*Community Resource Center

*Corporation for Appalachian Development

*EVE, Inc.

*GoPacks

*Hopewell REACH

*House of HOPE

*Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio

*Marietta/Belpre Health Department

*Newport Community Food Pantry

*Ohio State University Extension

*Ohio Valley Educational Service Center

*Southeastern Ohio Counseling Center

*Washington County Behavioral Health Board

*Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities

*Washington County Children Services

*Washington County Family and Children First

*Washington County Health Department

*Washington County Homeless Project

*Washington County Sheriff’s Office

*Washington-Morgan Community Action

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com