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Suggestions to Better Meet the Needs of our Clients: <br />1. Suggestion: Strengthen the partnership between OWASA and IFC by: <br />training customer service representatives on how to work with IFC and <br />other agencies; developing a process where IFC can guarantee OWASA <br />deposit fees similar to other utility company arrangements; and ask for <br />increased support among OWASA customers for the "Taste of Hope" <br />program. <br />(IFC has seen an increase in the number of clients requesting assistance <br />with their OWASA bill). <br />2. Suggestion: Design a streamlined eligibility process between DSS and <br />IFC about client eligibility and coordinate services when both agencies are <br />assisting. These efforts will help clients to access services more easily. <br />3. Suggestion: Support IFC efforts to work closely with congregations, <br />develop a process to best serve IFC clients and discourage efforts by <br />organizations to involve congregations without going through IFC crisis <br />intervention staff. <br />4. Suggestion: Join with other agencies and utilities in publicizing the needs <br />of clients and hopefully securing new/additional resources. <br />5. Suggestion: IFC recommends the pursuit of collaborative <br />workshops/seminars for clients who can benefit from information about <br />utility practices and agency criteria. <br />6. Suggestion: Additional financial resources need to become available to <br />match the current demand for services. <br />(IFC's budget is a minimum response that can be provided to respond to <br />community needs). <br />7. Suggestion: Find available resources to provide financial counseling for <br />clients that experience on-going problems with rent and utility bills. <br />D. Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action (JOCCA) <br />¦ Number of individuals/families assisted with FEMA funds last year- 43 <br />for phase 20 ending December 31, 2002 <br />¦ Number of individuals/families assisted this year with FEMA funds - <br />Have not received funds for phase 21 <br />9