The Springfield Community
Federation is looked to as a leader in the community; an organization that
is willing to put aside territorial issues and facilitate mutual
collaboration between organizations to achieve common goals and lessen the
likelihood of duplication of services. One way this collaboration is
accomplished is through Springfield Providers Council.
The Providers Council has an
active membership of approximately 80 human service agencies, and continues
to grow as it provides opportunities for agencies to network and collaborate
across agency lines. The Provider Council includes representation from a
number of state agencies, private non-profits, educational entities, local
government agencies, advocacy groups, and community members. It has become
an excellent way for community agencies to network with each other.
Most importantly
Providers Council has become a mechanism for community and state agencies to
communicate policies that have a community-wide impact, and also a way for
providers to convey concerns from their constituents to the state on the
impact of any recent policy and procedural issues.
Providers Council meets on
the 3rd Wednesday on each month, from noon until 1:00. Space to
meet is donated by SPARC and lunch is usually provided by the organization
that is presenting at the monthly meetings. The goals of Providers
Council are:
