Community invited to workshop on supporting single-family families

Douglas County Economic Mobility Project will host a community sensemaking session on Monday, Dec. 15, to explore ways to better support low-income and single-parent families. The workshop will be from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Lied Center Pavilion, 1600 Stewart Drive.

Participants will review data and stories collected through Douglas County Thrives, a community effort that gathered perspectives from low-income and single-parent or caregiver families to inform local policy and practice. This information was collected through a survey circulated this fall.

Facilitators from the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research will lead small-group discussions about survey results and family experiences. Stories highlight both what it means to thrive and what it feels like to simply get by.

In Douglas County, single-parent families, especially mothers, are more likely to face poverty, rent burdens and challenges finding jobs that pay a living wage.

Of the 93 respondents to the survey, 40% identified as single parents. When asked what support made a difference for their family in the last year, 45% replied SNAP/food assistance, 44% cited food banks and 24% indicated utility assistance.

The Economic Mobility Project is part of the anti-poverty work outlined in the Douglas County Community Health Improvement Plan. Agencies involved in the project include Douglas County, United Way of Kaw Valley, LiveWell Douglas County, K-State Extension Douglas County, DCCCA, Community Children’s Center and Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health.

“Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a journey,” said Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur, a convener of the anti-poverty work group. “That journey includes moments of hardship, but also of deep joy, resilience, creativity and strength. Whether a story is about a time families were thriving or just surviving, we want to know so leaders, policymakers and community members can better understand how to support families in Douglas County.”

Light refreshments will be available at the workshop. To reserve a spot, email jjolicoeur@dgcoks.gov by Thursday, Dec. 11.