PLATTE COUNTY – Community Action of Laramie County appeared before the county commissioners last month to give an annual report on the assistance they were able to facilitate as administrators of the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) for Platte County.
In the last fiscal year, the CSBG provided financial assistance for senior care through Services for Seniors, Inc. for food programs (2,688 meals and 75 frozen meals), personal care and homemaking services (776.25 hours), personal emergency response systems (168), and transportation services (593 units of transportation). The program also provided meal baskets to the community for Christmas and Easter, and 10 families were provided funds and offered transportation to Cheyenne farmer’s markets to purchase fresh produce, bread, and meat products.
“The Farmer’s market tokens were fantastic,” Platte County Public Health nurse manager Penny Simonton said. “We had great feedback [from participants] and there was a good selection.”
Of particular interest to CALC was the success of a pilot program (Project Hope) they started last year to work closely with individuals in an intense case management program. They reported three families participated in the program, with CALC providing some rent payment and food shopping assistance, and all three families either successfully graduated from the program or no longer needed assistance.

Last spring, Simonton heard about the Project Hope pilot, and arrangements were made with the blessing of county commissioners for Public Health to continue to administer the program in the coming year. Simonton explained, CALC receives the grant funding and will steer where the money goes for intensive case management, working closely with public health to find the gaps and disburse funds as needed.
“It’s nice working with people from CALC. They are helpful and very responsive. We want to have a positive partnership and continue to help grow over the next few years,” Simonton said.
A state grant, The Children’s Trust fund, provided to set up an office and help pay part-time staffing through September 2026 to create a resource center benefitting people throughout the county.
The Platte County Family Resource Center, under the direction of Simonton and CSBG case manager Julie Worthington, will be a one-stop shop for information and resources for families and individuals within Platte County. The FRC, which will have a grand opening at its new location in January, will be partnering with local organizations and businesses to help connect people with services or training they may need, and in some cases can assist in filling out paperwork – particularly for people not comfortable using a computer. There are plans for education workshops, coordination with the schools, DFS, workforce services, the senior centers, and any other source that can benefit people in Platte County.
Think of it as an information hub, with the added benefit of guidance. For those struggling to make ends meet who are willing to follow the steps required for the Project Hope-style intensive case management program, there can be limited emergency financial assistance as well.
The goal is to help people out of poverty with resources or education, not just continue in the same struggle. “It’s a hand up, not a hand-out,” Worthington said, adding, hopefully the Family Resource Center will be helping make people’s lives better.
“We will travel to Glendo, Guernsey, Hartville, Chugwater and Wheatland each month, and anyone is welcome to call with any questions,” Worthington said, emphasizing they want to collaborate with future partners in the community to make this a successful center for everyone in Platte County.
The Family Resource Center will be only open part-time and does not have 24-7 access, or a call center. Currently, the FRC can be accessed the Public Health office in Wheatland, by calling 307-881-2423, or email jworthington@plattecountywyoming.com.