WHEATLAND — In 2022, Community Action of Laramie County (CALC) conducted a needs assessment in Platte County. Since that time, the agency has again been contacted to inquire about help with a service block grant, and according to CALC CEO Tim Ernst, the answer was “absolutely, yes.” 

Ernst and his staff spoke with the Platte County Commissioners last week to discuss the level of support and to describe their successful programs to help mitigate poverty and dependence upon government ‘hand-outs.’ 

“We said absolutely, whatever we can do to help our neighboring communities,” Ernst said, who has been the CEO at the Cheyenne office since 1967. A year ago, $51,000 was ear-marked for Platte County. “We have been working with Services for Seniors in Platte County and have contracted $25,000 to provide meals and in-home service programs, designated for those who are living at the federal poverty level. We know that Platte County is one of our poorer counties, so we really want to distribute this money.” 

New safeguards in recording expenditure guidelines have been put in place by the agency, which is a critical aspect for the state to continue appropriate funding, according to Ernst. 

“We do have a meeting with the Department of Family Services and Public Health in Platte County to strategize for those funds intended for people at any age within the poverty-level guidelines. Up to date, we have serviced about 30 clients through Services for Seniors; which may not seem like a lot, but multiply that by the number of meals and other services provided,” Ernst added. 

The agency presented their program as the new grant period starts very shortly, and the state tends to distribute grant money early. 

“We are looking at April-May and want to strategize with you and your leadership to determine what you would like to see in Platte County for services,” Ernst said. 

Based on the 2022 needs assessment, Platte County’s needs lined up very well with those already being addressed in Laramie County; housing, economic situations, and education. 

“These issues are always at the top,” Ernst continued. “As we look at reapplying for Platte County, we feel you need to be informed about how that money is spent, and let you know the Platte County clerk, Malcolm Ervin, is part of our board, and can strategize with his help.” 

CALC Board of Directors member Ellie Gardner spoke about their mission. 

“We would have three spaces open to Platte County, and we really want to share our mission, which is reducing poverty in Wyoming, not just Laramie County. We do go beyond that, and it is not a Band-Aid. We are helping clients achieve self-sufficiency by helping them also get education and housing resources.” 

The agency is aware there are those in Platte County, not senior citizens, that need help. 

“We want to propose our case management model,” he said. “As Ellie said, it’s no longer a Band-Aid, such as an electricity bill just being paid one time. The help comes with resources and education, and even helping with money management. We can look at the whole scope of the people that need help. When we started this model in 2017 in Cheyenne, everyone was used to a hand-out, and we want them to start with a hand up.” 

Ernst added the agency is seeing great outcomes over time and seeing fewer repeat-clients coming in asking for help. 

“If they needed to finish their GED for example, we connect them with the right person, and in Platte County’s case, we will be working with Eastern Wyoming College,” Ernst added. 

The state is taking notice of the CALC model and is spreading it out through Wyoming. 

“The whole idea is intensive case management, and that’s how we want to move with Platte County. It will not happen overnight. We have put a stop to just handing out money.” 

Ernst went on to say the program is starting to show good outcomes, despite historical one-time fixes being eliminated and general clientele being averse to the responsibilities of work or continuing education. 

“We had a 78% success rate of those clients ‘graduating’ in the first year,” Ernst said. “Meaning, they have improved their situation and have not had to come back to CALC or are not using other public service agencies.” 

Community Action of Laramie County is a leader dedicated to reducing poverty in Laramie County by empowering people to achieve self-sufficiency through promoting access to healthcare, education, and advocacy with a network of community partnerships. 

The next Platte County Commissioner Meeting is March 19 at 9 a.m.  

Ernst went on to explain that while they are not currently working with Platte County school districts, they are anxious to move in that direction. “With the help of Department of Family Services we can move in that direction and Malcolm Ervin has been a big help to guide us to the right partners.”  

“I really like your ‘teaching a man to fish’ philosophy, in stead of just giving them the fish,” Commissioner chair Steve Shockley commented.  

“It was difficult at first,” Ernst admitted, “because of the expectation of the hand-out and the perception that ‘Community Action is no longer helping us’. But the program is becoming so successful, and we are helping and the perception is changing.”  

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Community Action of Laramie County is a leader dedicated to reducing poverty in Laramie County by empowering people to achieve self-sufficiency through promoting access to healthcare, education, and advocacy with a network of community partnerships. 

The next Platte County Commissioner Meeting is March 19 at 9 a.m.