From Harford County Government:
(Bel Air, MD) – The Harford County Department of Community Services Local Management Board and the Harford County Department of Social Services partnered on Monday, April 28, 2014 to host an event bringing together local leaders and faith communities to learn about the Open Table Model.
Jon Katov developed The Open Table Model. It’s based on an encounter with a homeless man in 2005 that he mentored through his church in an effort to help him get back on his feet. The Model is now followed in 15 states and more than 45 cities across the country.
The Open Table Model joins together faith-based members, community leaders and youth aging out of the foster care system. It was designed to help individuals become independent and self-sufficient. In Harford County, nine churches, over 20 community members and leaders attended Katov’s presentation. Harford County is launching the Open Table Model to serve youth aging out of the foster care system by the age of 21. Epic Community Church will serve as the initial site to implement the Open Table Model.
“The Open Table Model helps create joint relationships among government, faith based and private organizations to support the future success of youth in the foster care system”, says Sharon Lipford, Deputy Director of Harford County Department of Community Services. “Using this model, we’re able to work together to help our county youth become ready for adulthood.”
For more information, about getting involved or for questions about the event, please contact the Department of Community Services’ Local Management Board at 410-638-3389, extension 1306, eenaughten@harfordcountymd.gov or kjparks-bourn@harfordcountymd.gov.
It’s the same county government players, just a new name pasted on to make it look like the community has really been engaged. If you truly want to address the needs of children in foster care aging out of the system, the same old players know they must start much earlier with meaningful primary and secondary prevention strategies. Tertiary prevention is unfortunately, too late. Otherwise, it’s a “been there done that” scenario. The county should also “pony up” and invest local money into these projects rather than always waiting around to see what the state and federal government is going to fund.
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