Photo provided Transportation led the discussion during the Jefferson County Resource Network’s Community Connections meeting. Resource Network Community Service Coordinator Beth Rupert Warren and others hear from service providers. The Resource Network is on the lookout for creative solutions to match services with the community’s needs.

WINTERSVILLE – The Jefferson County Resource Network is identifying gaps in services and finding creative ways to fill them, with transportation serving as the focus during the quarterly Community Connections meeting March 25 at the Wintersville Methodist Church Center of Hope.

Developed and offered through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and funded by the Jefferson County commissioners, the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the Jefferson County General Health District and the Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board, the Resource Network has created a website and an app as part of a one-stop hub to help the public navigate available resources.

Beginning with 32 categories, the Resource Network’s site list has grown to 74, including dental care, addiction recovery, education, elder services, housing and transportation assistance.

Resource Network Community Service Coordinator Beth Rupert Warren greeted representatives from area agencies and service providers and updated them on the program’s growth, noting the site reached 4,000 hits in its highest month so far this year.

“People here in the community are using the Resource Network.”

Speakers included Tim Turner, transit manager with the Steel Valley Regional Transit Authority, Scott Fischer, coordinator of GoBus and Michael J. Paprocki, executive director of the Brooke Hancock Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission.

They reviewed their respective capabilities and needs among different populations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans and residents of rural areas such as Smithfield and Adena, where fewer people have access to transportation. They also discussed barriers such as driver requirements.

The Resource Network is working with these and other participants to find creative solutions, such as determining whether agencies or programs have funds for bus passes. The network has also reached out to DoorDash to explore whether the company could provide transportation, with Rupert Warren saying the company was receptive to the idea.

The Resource Network hopes to find entrepreneurs in the community who can think outside the box and develop flexible transportation options, particularly in rural areas. Outreach efforts include discussions with car dealerships that might provide affordable vehicles for someone interested in starting a taxi company.

“All the answers are here. We’ve just got to get everybody working together and thinking,” Rupert Warren said.

The Resource Network noted that even a service covering a relatively short distance, such as 10 miles along Sunset Drive from Wintersville to Steubenville, could provide a significant benefit to businesses in need of employees and residents seeking work.

In addition, with a Youngstown State University campus expected to occupy the former Eastern Gateway Community College building, students will need public transportation.

Afterward, Turner said the Community Connections outreach is opening more options.

“A great opportunity to bring agencies together to bring a community together. There are so many services we all need to coordinate,” he said. “We all come together to work together.”

Turner said participating in the Resource Network has helped the transit authority identify who needs bus passes and where they are available to help people get to work and medical appointments.

“It’s a great opportunity for a lot of folks who don’t know what’s out there.”

Paprocki also praised the effort.

“It’s great to see that the community has resources to help people in need,” he said, noting high demand in rural areas of the county.

Jefferson County Commissioner Eric Timmons also attended and commended the Resource Network for helping fill communication gaps.

“You started this and I think it’s been great. I don’t think partnerships have ever been stronger between all entities.”

Attendees were also updated on ongoing initiatives, including the Kinship Caregiver Café.

In addition, the Resource Network is in talks with judges, schools and others in the community who have expressed a need for parenting classes. The network is bringing together agencies that work with youth to build a coordinated effort.

It is also organizing a foster parent recruitment drive at 6 p.m. May 28 at the Schiappa Branch of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County. With relatively few foster families in the county, the goal is to recruit more and build a support network.

Attendees expressed support for the program’s progress, including Jarrett Carroll, a peer resource specialist with the Columbiana County Mobile Crisis Response Team, who attended to learn more about the network’s operations.

“I like what I’ve seen. I like how the community is coming together and trying to do better,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing — bringing the community together.”

Employment specialist Nicole Ashmore with Goodwill said the meetings help service providers better assist clients.

“We learn about the different resources in the area, so when people ask where they can find something, we know,” she said. “We only know what’s in our organization, but knowing what’s in others helps us better serve people.”

She added that the Resource Network website has also directed clients to her.

“I’ve had people call me and say they found us there.”

OhioMeansJobs has also used the Community Connections events to share information about services for veterans.

The Resource Network is seeking sponsors to continue its work.

For more information, visit jcresourcenetwork.org or email .