"Partnerships Making a Difference"

My name is Dennis Murphy and I am a community coordinator for Jefferson County Community Partnership, otherwise known as JCCP.  I have been working at the Partnership since March of 2008 and my direct responsibilities are to serve as the Project Coordinator for the JeffCo Express and Hammers of Hope.  I want to thank the Patch for the opportunity to use this forum to help people to get to know the JCCP better.  As an organization we are committed to developing partnerships  within the community that make a difference in the lives of people.

I want to begin by sharing a little bit of our history and then give you a broader picture of our various programs and initiatives.

The Jefferson County Community Partnership was formed in 1994 with the purpose of creating partnerships between civic organizations, churches, businesses and government agencies.  The Partnership is a non-profit organization that coordinates many initiatives aimed at improving the community, especially programs for children and economically disadvantaged groups.  The Partnership strives to initiate and support projects that are community-based without duplicating other efforts. www.jccp.org

The Vision of JCCP is a safe, healthy, economically strong Jefferson County with united resources.  

The Mission of JCCP is to achieve positive results in Jefferson County by identifying concerns, locating resources and facilitating change through community collaboration.  

The Values of JCCP are: Collaboration, Community, Support, Commitment, Integrity, Resources, and Innovation.

Here is a list of our various programs.

JeffCo Express is the first public transportation system that is available to everyone in Jefferson County.  We have two routes.  The Cross County runs from DeSoto to Hillsboro, to Festus, to Pevely, and to Arnold and back again.  This route runs three round trips daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00PM Monday through Friday. Our Arnold route starts at the Dollar General store at Jeffco Boulevard and Starling Airport Road and makes 6 complete round trips throughout the City of Arnold and covers 34 stops.  This route runs daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00PM Monday through Friday.  www.jeffcoexpress.org

Hammers of Hope is a program that unites the needs of low income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities with an army of volunteers to construct accessibility ramps, home repairs and home modifications completely free of charge to the consumer.  We are able to provide this service using grants, donations, and volunteers.  www.hammersofhope.org

Give Kids a Smile, a national program sponsored by the ADA, serves to provide dental care for children in need at no cost to their parents or guardians.  JCCP hosts this event for its local community annually.  Local dentists, hygienists, assistants, and other community volunteers get involved for a day of check-ups, cleanings, and restorative care for these children.

The Safe Babies Program, funded through the Children’s Trust Fund and many community partners, provides at-risk infants with new cribs/pack and plays and other safe sleep accessories.

The Parenting Network is a FREE, voluntary program for stay-at-home parents with children under 3 years of age. This program serves the entire Jefferson County area. In order to be enrolled in the program, families must meet certain eligibility requirements: income status (household income must fall under 185% of poverty level), stay-at-home parent status, child under age 3, and participation in the Parents As Teachers program. 

The program was designed to help parents meet the demands and difficult challenges they face in raising a child.  The goal of the Parenting Network is to educate parents as they guide their children through the development process.  The program provides parents with the knowledge and support that they need to successfully prepare their children for entering school.  The program also helps to eliminate the isolation that some stay at home parents may experience. 

Project COPE is a community-based child abuse prevention initiative.  The program is supported by the Missouri Children's Trust Fund and the Kemper Foundation. COPE's mission is to create a network of resources that foster healthy families and prevent and reduce incidences of child abuse and neglect.

This Provider Network supports the family with resources and referrals to learn a variety of coping skills, reduce stress factors and accomplish family goals.  The program uses a strengths-based approach to assess and serve families.  

COPE's Target Population includes:

Expectant and young parents 21 and younger with less than a High School diploma or GED; parents with children who have mental or physical disabilities; parents with psychological disorders or substance abuse issues; and/or families with children born premature or who have developmental or physical disabilities

There are many other initiatives that involves the JCCP like the Dental Coalition, Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems, P.R.I.D.E. and many more.  We participate with the various Chamber of Commerce organizations and civic groups like the Kiwanis, Rotaries, and Optimist Clubs.

Each week I will be bringing more in-depth information on our programs as well as share opportunities for you to get involve and become part of a partnership that makes a difference.