Library introduces social worker program

Jennifer Ford was listening to a National Public Radio (NPR) story about the Davenport Public Library bringing on a social worker, and she instantly thought Marshalltown could benefit from something similar.

Ford, who is a social worker herself at Iowa River Hospice, approached her boss, Emily Carson, and inquired about donating some of her time to the Marshalltown Public Library (MPL) in an attempt to replicate Davenport's program.

"I was trying to spearhead that hadn't been in Marshalltown yet, but I thought they should be," Ford said.

MPL Director Sarah Rosenblum loved the idea -- which has since been named "Community Connections: River of Hope" -- and while the ultimate goal is to employ a full-time social worker, Ford will be available on the third Tuesday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. for the time being as it gets off the ground. Tuesday was her first day, and she already saw at least one client on a completely free of charge basis.

"Where do people go that don't have a lot of resources? A lot of times, they come here," Rosenblum said. "We need to grow the program, and this is our very first day. But we would love to have a full-time social worker."

The program also builds on the successful launch of the Marshalltown Police and Community Team (MPACT), which has embedded social workers within the police department, and Rosenblum said she believes a full-time social worker at the library could "intercept" situations that end up involving MPACT and police officers.

"I do think this could be a, not necessarily an extension, but it could be a collaboration," Rosenblum said.

In addition, Ford sees it as a way to give back to the community and continue the mission of Iowa River Hospice outside of its physical walls.

"If you can get your social determinants of health met, you're going to be a more productive citizen, and we're going to be a better town and a better community if we're all giving a little bit to make everybody copacetic, to bring everybody to a higher level," she said.

It's a common -- but false -- assumption, Rosenblum noted, that everyone has an email address, a cell phone and internet access, and she hopes programs like this one can help bridge the so-called "digital divide" and help people get the resources they need.

"Just letting people know certain little things that are available in the community helps them stretch those dollars especially as we're heading into a possible recession," Ford said. "If we can recruit more agencies to come onboard and give one day a week, I'm all for it."

If a sufficient need is shown, Ford and Rosenblum plan to apply for grants that would allow for the expansion of the program. Call ahead appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins will be accepted. All appointments are free of charge. The MPL can be reached at (641) 754-5738.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.