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C O M P A S S I O N A T E A C T S P R O G R A M
C O V I D - 1 9 R E S P O N S E
I M P L E M E N T A T I O N G U I D E
P r e p a r e d by s e r v e & c o n n e c t
PURPOSE
At Serve & Connect, we believe in the power of partnerships for driving change and
improving lives. As our nation becomes increasingly impacted by COVID-19
(coronavirus), it is Serve & Connect’s privilege to support our community’s officers
as they support our community.
Through our Compassionate Acts Program (CAP), we are offering emergency
supplies, including non-perishable food packages and hygiene supplies, to our
partner agencies to help the most vulnerable in our communities. The purpose of
this manual is to provide guidance to police on the implementation of CAP for
COVID-19.
ABOUT SERVE & CONNECT
SServe & Connect is a South Carolina non-profit dedicated to igniting positive
change through police and community partnerships. Working directly with law
enforcement, community stakeholders, and citizen leaders, we seek to improve
neighborhoods challenged by poverty, crime, and neglect by building trust,
optimizing collaboration, and fostering a shared sense of pride. Serve & Connect
was founded by Kassy Alia Ray in honor of her husband, Officer Greg Alia, who was
killed in the line of duty on September 30, 2015.
ABOUT COMPASSIONATE ACTS
PROGRAM
The primary purpose of CAP is to increase positive non-enforcement interactions
between police and populations in need. By providing police with resources and
support to address residents in need, CAP creates opportunities for trust-building
between police and community and magnifies positive police impact.
Police are often the front-line to people in need. Research shows that police can
prevent issues related to community safety by providing resources that help
communities navigate challenges associated with poverty. However, there is a gap
between what we know works regarding effective community policing practices
and what is implemented. This is due, in part, to limited resources available to
police departments for community outreach. In a statewide survey we conducted
by 2017, officers indicated that while 93% agreed that community policing was
important to them, only 27% indicated that they had the resources necessary to
help people in need. CAP seeks to fill this gap by providing tools to police to help
people in need. Whether providing boxes of non-perishable food to people
experiencing hunger or warm winter coats on cold winter nights, CAP resources
enhance the ability of police to redirect people in crisis to local resources that can
promote positive long-term outcomes.
CAP has demonstrated promise as a best practice for community policing. Since we
launched the program in 2017, we have engaged twenty-one departments
statewide. This includes engaging departments in Greg’s Groceries, our flagship
CAP initiative which provides boxes of nonperishable food to police to deliver to
people experiencing hunger. Each box of food contains enough food to feed a family
of four for a week. In just under three years, over 37,000 meals have been delivered
by police to individuals living in food insecure communities. Feedback
from recipients indicates that 88% of individuals receiving CAP resources agree
that the program helps to build trust with police. Police also find value in the
program, with 100% indicating that they agree/strongly agree that CAP: a)
resources are useful for connecting with community; b) increase number of
resources/tools available for connecting with community; c) help foster new
connections with the community and d) help identify new ways to assist
community.
SERVE & CONNECT'S COVID-19
RESPONSE
Serve & Connect is motivated by a passion to create a positive synergy in divided
communities by utilizing common ground to shift mindsets and eliminate
misconceptions. All lives in our communities, however, are often disrupted by
unexpected events that are beyond our control, such as accidents, natural
disasters and illness. These disruptions to our communal lives challenge us all to
respond. As our communities become increasingly impacted by COVID-19
(coronavirus), we are providing our police partners with valuable resources to help
the most vulnerable within our communities.
During this challenging situation, vital supplies become harder to obtain. Our
communities' most vulnerable populations are at greater risk now more than ever.
As police officers are able to stand on the frontlines with communities in need,
Serve & Connect wants to support our community officers as they support our
communities. It is Serve & Connect’s privilege to provide resources through our
Compassionate Acts Program to help in this unexpected time of need.
RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Breakfast Kit: (1) granola bar, (1) oatmeal pack, and (1) peanut butter cup
Dinner Kit: (1) Mac and Cheese box, (1) rice package, and (1) canned chicken
Day for One Kit: (2) granola bars, (1) oatmeal package, and (1) Mac and Cheese
box
Family Kit: (2) granola bars, (2) oatmeal packages, (1) Mac and Cheese box, (1)
rice package, (1) canned chicken, and (1) peanut butter cup
Toilet paper
Tissues
Bars of soap
At this time, we are offering support to departments serving our target counties,
including: Richland, Lexington, Orangeburg, Kershaw, and Fairfield counties.
We are offering the following resources (while supplies last):
Emergency Food Kits
Pre-packaged non-perishable food kits designed to meet emergency needs related
to hunger. Packages are designed to meet people experiencing different needs and
include:
Condensed milk, pre-packaged muffins, and bread are also available.
Hygiene Supplies
Recognizing that many stores are running low on supplies needed for basic
hygiene, we have a limited supply of the following:
DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES
Officer safety is critically important during this time. With that in mind, we have
crafted implementation guidelines to support distribution within your
communities.
Notifying Your Agency
We recommend informing officers and staff that your department has COVID
emergency resources available. This will increase the effectiveness of delivery and
support. To assist you in doing so, we have crafted a draft email (Appendix I). We
have also designed a flyer that may be posted at your agency (Appendix II). We
recommend posting this flyer above where resources are stored.
Notifying Your Community
There may be a benefit to sharing with your community about the availability of
resources. They may be able to help identify people in need, and it may also
communicate how your agency is proactively seeking to support the community.
At the same time, it is important to convey that these are limited resources
intended strictly for emergencies. We have crafted sample language in Appendix
III.
Identifying a Need
Serve & Connect values the knowledge and understanding officers have for the
community that they serve. We believe that by equipping our officers to help
people in crisis, we will be able to reach people experiencing the greatest needs
during the pandemic.
Resources are primarily intended to support officers in the event that they come
into contact with someone in crisis. For instance, an officer may encounter a
Individuals/families with transportation challenges. In some counties there
could be a considerable distance between a family and the closest store or
market. Even in places that are more urban, accessing local resources, including
food banks, can be a challenge depending on transportation availability.
Families or individuals that live alone where they require a 3rd party caretaker
to provide them with vital aid. In an event where the caretaker themselves are
under quarantine, that lifeline for those vulnerable individuals may not be
currently provided.
Individuals/families that have recurring domestic issues, especially if children
involved in the situation, they possibly could not be receiving vital supplies
during this time.
Families, especially with children involved, that struggle with either one or both
parents being repeat offenders of periods of incarceration. Those children may
have limited access to vital supplies during this time.
Curb-side pick-up at your department
Distribution through the window of your patrol car
Leave the resources on the doorstep and notify the individual upon delivery
family in need while responding to a call at a home. We also recognize that officers
have first-hand knowledge of people in need.
Some examples include:
Limiting social contact is essential during this time. With that in mind,
we do not advise seeking out people to help, but rather using these
resources for emergencies that emerge through direct contact or via
referrals.
Distributing Safely
Officer safety is critically important during this time. If a need is identified
through a call or referral, we recommend the following practices for distribution:
We encourage agencies to work with identified neighborhood/community leaders
who may be able to screen families in need and support safe distribution. We have
provided an email template in Appendix IV to assist you in outreach as well as a
flyer to describe safe distribution for partners.
Avoid hand shakes and wash hands often.
Utilize your tissue or elbow if you have to cough.
Avoid touching your face.
Stay at least 3-6ft apart from others.
We also recommend following guidelines for self-care during this time:
Providing Feedback
Measuring our impact is important in helping us identify how we can improve our
services to best support our police partners. With this in mind, we ask that officers
please fill out a brief online survey after distributing resources by visiting our
website serveandconnect.net/cap. We are happy to share results with your agency.
Requesting Additional Resources
In the event that your agency is in need of additional resources or has questions,
please reach out to us.
Kassy Alia Ray
CEO & Founder
Serve & Connect
Cell: (301) 908-2635
Email: [email protected]
We are deeply thankful for the sacrifice you and your officers make everyday to
serve our communities. Thank you for keeping our communities safe and for being
on the front-line of the coronavirus pandemic.
APPENDIX I.Email Template for Notifying Your Agency
Breakfast Kit: (1) granola bar, (1) oatmeal pack, and (1) peanut butter cupDinner Kit: (1) Mac and Cheese box, (1) rice package, and (1) canned chickenDay for One Kit: (2) granola bars, (1) oatmeal package, and (1) Mac and Cheese boxFamily Kit: (2) granola bars, (2) oatmeal packages, (1) Mac and Cheese box, (1) ricepackage, (1) canned chicken, and (1) peanut butter cup
Toilet paperTissuesBars of soap
We have received resources from Serve & Connect to support community members inneed during the coronavirus pandemic. This email describes the resources and how theymay be used by our department. ABOUT SERVE & CONNECT: Serve & Connect is a South Carolina non-profit dedicated tothe mission of igniting positive change through police and community partnership. It wasfounded by Kassy Alia Ray, the widow of Greg Alia, the Forest Acres officer who was killedin 2015. COVID-19 RESPONSE: As our communities become increasingly impacted by COVID-19(coronavirus), vital supplies become harder to obtain. Our communities' most vulnerablepopulations are at greater risk now more than ever. This can increase risk and may haveresidual impacts on crime. As police officers are able to stand on the frontlines withcommunities in need, Serve & Connect wants to support officers as they support ourcommunities. It is Serve & Connect’s privilege to provide resources through theirCompassionate Acts Program to help in this unexpected time of need. RESOURCES AVAILABLE: At this time, Serve & Connect is offering support todepartments serving their target counties, including: Richland, Lexington, Orangeburg,Kershaw, and Fairfield counties. Resources offered include (while supplies last):Emergency Food KitsPre-packaged non-perishable food kits designed to meet emergencyneeds related to hunger. Packages are designed to meet people experiencing differentneeds and include:
Condensed milk, pre-packaged muffins, and bread are also available. Hygiene SuppliesRecognizing that many stores are running low on supplies needed for basic hygiene, wehave a limited supply of the following:
Individuals/families with transportation challenges. In some counties there could be aconsiderable distance between a family and the closest store or market. Even in placesthat are more urban, accessing local resources, including food banks, can be a challengedepending on transportation availability.Families or individuals that live alone where they require a 3rd party caretaker toprovide them with vital aid. In an event where the caretaker themselves are underquarantine, that lifeline for those vulnerable individuals may not be currently provided. Individuals/families that have recurring domestic issues, especially if children involvedin the situation, they possibly could not be receiving vital supplies during this time. Families, especially with children involved, that struggle with either one or bothparents being repeat offenders of periods of incarceration. Those children may havelimited access to vital supplies during this time.
Curb-side pick-up at our departmentDistribution through the window of your patrol car Leave the resources on the doorstep and notify the individual upon delivery
IDENTIFYING NEEDS: Resources are primarily intended to support officers in the eventthat they come into contact with someone in crisis. For instance, an officer may encountera family in need while responding to a call at a home. Officers also have first-hand knowledge of people in need. Some examples include:
Limiting social contact is essential during this time. With that in mind, we do not advise seeking out
people to help, but rather using these resources for emergencies that emerge through direct contact
or via referrals.
DISTRIBUTION: Officer safety is critically important during this time. If a need isidentified through a call or referral, we recommend the following practices fordistribution:
Once a package has been delivered, please complete a brief survey by visitinghttp://serveandconnect.net/cap/. Should you have questions or concerns, you may reach out to Serve & Connect using thecontact information below:
Kassy Alia RayCEO & Founder
Serve & ConnectCell: (301) 908-2635
Email: [email protected]
APPENDIX II.Flyer for Notifying Your Agency
APPENDIX III.Messaging for Community
Sample language for social media is listed below for informing yourcommunity of your participation in Serve & Connect's COVID-19 EmergencyResponse. Social Post 1: Caring for our community remains our top priority during the coronaviruspandemic. We have partnered with Serve & Connect to ensure our officers are equippedwith emergency resources, including non-perishable food products and hygiene supplies,to assist people most in need. // Photo suggestion - picture of an officer holding anemergency food kit Social Post 2: We recognize that obtaining critical supplies may be difficult for some of ourmost in need residents during COVID-19. If you know of someone in crisis, contact ourdepartment to request an emergency food kit. We have a limited supply of non-perishablefood to assist people in crisis and it is our honor to serve. // Photo suggestion - picture offood kit Social Post 3: Our officers are using creative ways to build community during this time ofsocial distancing. They are providing emergency supplies to residents in need safely,ensuring that they feel cared for and supported. // Photo suggestion - picture of an officerdelivering a package on a door step As packages are delivered, we encourage you to share those stories and are happy to helpyou craft language that maintains the anonymity of the recipient while spreading positivestories. We are also happy to provide other guidance for communication during this time.
APPENDIX IV.Email Template for Notifying CommunityPartners
Call the individual in need to inform them that you will be delivering the emergencypackage.Leave the resources on the front door step. Walk at least 6 ft away from the door step. Call the individual to inform them that the package is outside their door.
Avoid hand shakes and wash hands often.Utilize your tissue or elbow if you have to cough.Avoid touching your face.Stay at least 3-6ft apart from others.
Our agency remains committed to serving community during the coronavirus pandemic.With this in mind, we have partnered with a non-profit organization, Serve & Connect, tosecure emergency supplies to help people in crisis. We are reaching out to request your help. We want to ensure that our limited supply ofresources, including non-perishable food kits and hygiene supplies (toilet paper, tissue,soap) are delivered to people most in need. As a trusted leader in our community, you mayknow members in our community who are most vulnerable during this time. Should you identify a resident in need, please contact our agency and request to speak with[INSERT NAME OF OFFICER]. We will then work with you to ensure safe delivery. In the event that delivery is facilitated by you or another representative in yourcommunity, we recommend the following for safe delivery:
1.
2.3.4.
We encourage following CDC guidelines for safety during this time, including:
Thank you for your partnership and service to our community. We believe that together,we are better.