COMPASS Community Partner Training

Posted by on May 28, 2004

COMPASS Community Partner Training

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, in cooperation with Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare, invites you to a free COMPASS training on the morning of Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the State Office Building, Broad and Spring Garden Streets, Philadelphia.

COMPASS is Pennsylvania’s online gateway to social services and public benefits. Release 7, which debuted this week, offers exciting enhancements for Community Partners using the password-accessible Power User version.

Among those enhancements is a provision that allows Community Partners to review supporting documentation (documents that support the facts of the application–pay stubs, utility bills, rent receipts, etc), and forward copies to the County Assistance Office. In many cases, these applicants will not be required to visit the welfare office for a face-to-face interview. The Community Partner’s review and submission of the documents serves in lieu of the interview. Please note, however, that some applicants still will be asked to come in for the face-to-face — for example, where contradictory information raises questions.

Your agency need not be an existing (registered) Community Partner to participate in this training, but to gain access to the Power User version, you will have to complete the Partnership Agreement. Copies will be available at the training, or you can request one ahead of time. You can come to the training and sign up later as a Community Partner.

Space is limited and registration is required.

To sign up, contact Sydelle Zove at the Coalition Against Hunger, 215-430-0555 or szove@hungercoalition.org.

As Roberto Salazar, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Administrator, said at a recent gathering of Pennsylvania anti-hunger advocates, “Our clients should be online, not in line.” Let’s help make that happen.