Best Practices
THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER @ GORHAM FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER (VITA)
123 MAIN ST
GORHAM NH 03581-1659
1. History (how long has you site been in operation?)
This was our first year as an official VITA site, though we worked with Sam Chase last year setting up the foundation for our site.
2. Time-Line (were there goals you attempted to accomplish each year?)
Volunteer Recruitment - Our goal was to recruit at least 6 volunteers. We were able to recruit 12 volunteers and kept 10. One moved out of the area and another had a change in job which required more of a time commitment.
Number of returns - Last year, we served 25 people. We hoped to double that number and serve 50 for this year. We were able to serve 80!
Back to top.
3. Budget (what is your budget for your site and source of dollars)
We had a budget of $7,000
$5,000 from Citizens Bank
$2,000 from the UNH Cooperative Extension
4. 2006 VITA Results
Total # transmitted returns: (Berlin-Gorham totals 80)
Total # accepted returns: (Berlin-Gorham totals 80)
Total # EITC returns: 18
5. Hours of Operation
02/06/2006-04/12/2006
Monday: 10-1p.m. / Wednesday: 1-7p.m.
Special Services: Electronic Filing and information and referral to other agencies.
By Appointment Only - Contact Number: 603-466-5190
Back to top.
6. # Volunteers
10
7. # Volunteer Hours
149 hours of actual direct service and a minimum of 40 hours/volunteer of training...Total 549 hours in all.
8. Source of Volunteers
We mailed letters to local businesses, retired community members and previous volunteers and contacted students at the local Technical College.
9. # Clients Served
80
Back to top.
10. $ Value of refunds
Total EITC refund amount: Berlin-Gorham $16,497
Total EITC refund amount: Berlin-Gorham $59,826
11. Additional $’s saved clients in tax return refund preparation
(if you collected this information)
We didn’t really collect this information, but one client did share that she had paid a tax preparer over $200.00 last year. Numbers of clients who used paid preparers last year - 9, 2 of which received RAL's.
Best Practices (this section looks at what worked best for your site)
12. Site Coordination (what made your site run smoothly and efficiently? how were you successful in reaching targeted clientele?)
The sucess of the site was due to a number of factors.
- Since the Coordinator position is a 20 hour per week position, we relied heavily on the Family Resource Center's office manager. She acted as a Co-Coordinator and was available on a full time basis to answer phone calls, questions, and schedule appointments. She participated in the training of volunteers, was certified as a preparer and available to work as a greeter if necessary.
- The monthly meeting of area human service agencies is held at the FRC. Flyers were distributed to agency members to give to their clients. Through these members, we were able to directly target many of the families that would benefit most.
- We wrote press releases and distributed information at the Energy Expo which was held in January.
- Operating the VITA site as part of the FRC creates a unique opportunity to cross-refer clients to other programs that may be of help to them. We benefited greatly from other programs at the FRC, including Job Pro, Family Partnerships and Healthy Connections.
Back to top.
13. Volunteers (how did you recruit volunteers? what did you do to keep them working at your site?)
We sent letters out to local businesses and also to several retired members of the community, we contacted the individuals who helped out last year and we contacted several students from the Technical College. We were fortunate to access a terrific group of volunteers, some of whom contributed over 60 hours! We will be hosting a Thank-you dinner for them later this month.
14. Media/Marketing (what did you do in the area of media and marketing that increased awareness about your site, EITC, and asset building?)
We submitted press releases and posted flyers and posters around the area. We distributed and displayed pamphlets on the EITC to individuals participating in the programs that are funded here at the FRC.
Back to top.
15. Outreach (what other types of outreach activities were you involved in to enhance the effectiveness of your site?)
We discussed the program at out board meetings, staff meetings and community wide agency meetings to get feedback and support. We offered brochures and flyers to other FRC program coordinators to pass along to their clients. We also provided information to the participants of the JOB Pro workforce development program which is operated out of the FRC.
16. Coalition Building (if you have a coalition, what made it successful?)
The Family Resource Center is by definition a coalition of agencies and programs. This built-in network allowed us to share the information about VITA easily throughout the community. The center creates a wonderful opportunity for program referrals and makes the process of connecting those in need with available responsive community resources.
17. Future (what are your plans for the future [site expansion, asset building, etc.]? what will you do differently in the future?)
We hope to build upon this year's success. We plan to begin training of volunteers as early as September or October and to schedule more Saturday tax preparation dates. We also plan to offer taxpayers the ability to learn how to do their taxes on-line using the computers in our computer lab. Perhaps the most significant of our plans is a financial literacy program which we will be putting together in the near future. This program will make an excellent partner to our VITA site work as well as many other programs funded by the FRC.
Back to top.
|
