Tuesdays at the Table
We are just one piece of a larger puzzle that exists in Frankfort to improve outcomes for youth, adults and families in all walks of life. We are all here to build a stronger community! While our focus is those who have been impacted by incarceration, we know that many risk factors are often connected and that situations escalate and lead to greater risks. This is where the table comes in.
At the end of 2023, Frankfort became the sixth Kentucky location to launch a Situation Table. The Situation Table is a rapid triage model that brings together human service providers to address situations where individuals, families and even neighborhoods that are facing a specific risk. It addresses those who often face the highest levels of risk in the community and too often fall through the cracks in the system. The whole idea is to help people before a crisis occurs.
“It’s a proactive approach to meeting people where they are.” Tricia Hamilton, Community Policing Advocate for the Frankfort Police Department. “We’ve identified many risk factors in our community, but some of the trends in Frankfort seem to be homelessness, mental health issues, substance use and violence.”
So, who is sitting at this table? Invested community organizations gather weekly for The Situation Table. Everything discussed in meetings is highly confidential, though data is tracked and reviewed. QRT National* provides tools to manage data collected from the Situation Table. The data will be used to look at trends and see where gaps in services exist for Franklin County.
“The situation table was a must for our community, and more importantly for those who will benefit from the swift aid it provides. When I met with the O2SL and QRT team members and asked when I would like to schedule our training my answer was easy, “Yesterday!” I’m proud and thankful of the support we receive from our community partners. Their involvement is key to helping those in crisis.” Dustin Bowman, Chief of Police
Though police are a vital part of this puzzle, no one agency or organization owns the table. Police are there to provide support and solutions, but so is everyone else. This approach allows police to take a different role within the community, to work alongside partners and community members to improve safety and well being. It’s a way for them to build trust and relationships with everyone involved, including the at risk individuals.
Wanda Joyce staff attend the weekly meetings alongside our community partners. In attendance you can find social workers, police, mental health professionals, addiction and recovery service providers, public health, local government and much more. It’s a powerful time where we get to share stories of families and kids that need the help and support of our community. We have been focused on filling gaps and building relationships for the last five years. A model like the Situation Table is a perfect way for us to work together with invested community leaders and have a chance to talk about solutions. We all know problems exist, but the real change happens when we talk about what support and help is needed to address those problems. Addressing them one individual or family at a time makes the issues more manageable and will really show what our community can do.
“It’s truly amazing that Frankfort has this. On a weekly basis, we are being proactive in preventing a crisis from happening.” Amy Snow, Director of Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation
There are over 150 Situation Tables across Canada and the U.S. and the impact from these is quickly growing. Currently, Situation Tables exist in Paducah/McCracken County, Perry County, Louisville, Powell County, Boyd County, Lexington, Pulaski County and Frankfort. In our first four months, Frankfort’s table has assisted in 14 situations, hopefully preventing twice as many future risky situations.
If you’d like to learn more about the Situation Table, or if you have something relevant to share with the group, you can contact Tricia at 502-352-2045 or [email protected].
*O2SL and QRT National, a collaboration of public safety, public health, and community leaders, helps to create and support collaborative, community-shared responses for municipalities, counties and states in assisting vulnerable populations impacted directly and indirectly by substance use, mental health disorders, and behavioral health issues. Learn more at https://o2sl.com.