United Way distributes nearly $1.6 million

Oesterlen Services for Youth tries to fill the gap for those who work but don't have health insurance for mental health treatment.

A $21,600 grant from the United Way should make that easier, said Rev. Ronald Green of Oesterlen.

The grant, the first from United Way for Oesterlen, will go toward outpatient counseling, including for juvenile sex offenders that often is court-ordered.

"These people find themselves between a rock and a hard place," Green said. "If they don't get counseling, they are in contempt of court. On the other hand, if they have no insurance or no personal resources, how are they going to pay for it?"

The United Way distributed about $1.6 million to more than 100 programs at nearly 60 agencies in Clark, Champaign and Madison counties.

About five years ago the United Way changed its funding to an outcomes-based system requiring agencies to show the difference they made.

In this funding cycle, the United Way took another step in that process by evaluating and funding programs individually rather than by agency.

For instance, the American Cancer Society received money for five different programs in Clark County, including $28,000 for the Patient Navigator program and $6,000 for Look Good, Feel Better.

If agencies had programs in different areas, different committees evaluated the requests.

The focus on funding programs leads to better funding decisions, said Doug Lineberger, United Way executive director.

"We really are evaluating each program on their own merits ... That's what you're supposed to do," Lineberger said.

That meant some dollars moved, with some programs going up slightly and others down slightly.

The United Way also had slightly less money to distribute this year in Clark and Champaign counties while Madison County saw an increase in dollars.

"We know our community is going through some tough times," Lineberger said. "We've got to be able to spend the money wisely."