PATCH
Since 1996, the Milton Family Community Center has been one of six PATCH network members. The Vermont PATCH Network is a coalition of six rural community resource centers dedicated to improving the lives of Vermont's children and families through community based prevention and access to local, comprehensive services. MFCC's PATCH is comprised of representatives from human service agencies across Chittenden County who seek to provide local access to needed services for families in the Milton community. PATCH has also partnered with many agencies on the federal and state levels, as well as locally, to bring such services to families. Milton is a rural community where no public transportation is available, so PATCH's number one priority is to provide services locally in Milton so families do not have to find travel arrangements to Burlington, the nearest location to otherwise access services. MFCC is one of 61 Agency of Human Services agencies where common applications (applications for state services) can be processed on site in Milton by appointment. One of the other key functions of a PATCH site is to bring agency and organizational partners to the table, providing forums to help service providers better understand what each other is doing, coordinate services more effectively, and to fill gaps, reduce duplication and expand community development. In an effort to meet these goals, monthly meetings (along with a free lunch!) are hosted by the Milton Family Community Center for area agencies to come together to share ideas, resources and to continually improve access of services within the Milton community. MFCC's PATCH has also been instrumental in coordinating a special services van that offers transportation to community members in need. A further accomplishment of the MFCC's PATCH has been in coordinating volunteer opportunities within the community and at the MFCC by mobilizing citizens' skills and talents.
For more information or for a schedule of PATCH meetings, please contact Charlotte Parot at 893-3726 or email cparot@miltonfamilycenter.org