Collaboration and Physical Location of Human Services: Why It Works and Why It Is Necessary
Human-service nonprofits have faced a variety of challenges in recent years of how to continue the work of helping people overcome difficult situations including victimization, homelessness, drug and alcohol dependency, child rearing, job skills, mental health issues, and other sometimes debilitating events and circumstances that deprive individuals and families from achieving their desired lifestyles. Lack of grant funds, private donations, and state/federal cuts to service along with loss of seasoned staff and insufficient knowledge base in potential employees have further stresses the traditional systems of helping agencies.
A new endeavor to collaborate and collectively serve the multiple needs of individuals and families must be implemented to further the good work human-service nonprofits do, and to eliminate duplicative services while serving the whole person. Diving into possibilities of multiple service and collocation of agencies is an option for service providers to work smarter, save valuable resources to further their cause, and to concentrate on wholistically serving the multiple needs of clients.
JES Community Conversations are sponsored by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.
Location: Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St. Erie, PA 16508
Date/Time: Friday, April 17th, 12:00-1:30PM
Admission: Free (optional $5 lunch)
*If you do NOT receive an email from info@jeserie.org within 24-48 hours regarding your registration, please check your spam or junk folder. Thank you!
Paul Lukach, DSW, MSW, LSW is the Executive Director of the Crime Victim Center of Erie County, where he leads innovative programming and outreach supporting individuals affected by crime. Throughout his career, he has expanded services, launched prevention and education initiatives focused on crime prevention and child protection, and secured competitive federal and state grant funding to strengthen resources for communities across the Greater Erie region.
Dr. Lukach brings extensive experience working with mental health consumers and senior citizens, emphasizing community-based involvement and independent living. As a nonprofit leader, he manages complex organizations, leads diverse teams, and oversees accredited staff of sexual assault counselors, educators, and prevention advocates.
His expertise includes grant writing, nonprofit administration, financial management, and strategic leadership. Dr. Lukach is known for bringing together diverse groups, reducing barriers to service, and building equitable, sustainable programs that expand access to critical victim support services.
