For residents of Multnomah County, finding support services can be as daunting as the challenges they already face in their daily lives. This is a reality Maria Hanerfeld, a mother and full-time worker, knows well, particularly with her recent battle against breast cancer. In an effort to ease the burdens of its citizens, the county has launched the Common Application Program—a tool that consolidates applications for various local assistance services into one easy-to-use platform. Hanerfeld, who stumbled upon the program while seeking aid for her home heating needs, shared with Multnomah County News how "It’s been good to come out of all that, but it was a difficult treatment journey, which I know a lot of people can relate to."
The county's Common Application includes 18 essential local programs, ranging from Meals on Wheels to eviction defense and discounted utility services. According to Multnomah County News, Commissioner Lori Stegmann says, "A lot of times, we think that something has to be really complicated to have a profound impact on people's lives." Stegmann and her team played a pivotal role in the program's creation after noticing a disconnect between available services and community awareness. The idea emerged from encounters with shelter residents, like an a pregnant woman unaware of the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) services available to her.
The application platform supports those with limited technology skills as well, offering phone assistance for those who need it. Crystal Hilton, the FORWARD Program Manager for the county’s Common Application, explained in an interview with Multnomah County News, "For those who are not as technologically savvy, there’s phone support. They don't have to sit there and figure out questions." Applicants are required to provide proof of residency and ID, and some programs may require additional documentation like proof of income or utility bills.
Stegmann further emphasized the emotional aspect of the program, saying that people become "traumatized and re-traumatized every time they're asked to retell their story." Reducing the redundancy of filling out multiple forms for different agencies and programs, the Common Application aims to streamline the often overwhelming process. Hanerfeld appreciates the consideration of peoples’ time and experiences when seeking help, and the information provided to pass along to others who may benefit from these resources. “It was all right there on one page, that was really nice," she said. "And there were a lot of things that I didn't know were there that I know now." Hanerfeld's words, shared with Multnomah County News, reflect the community’s sentiment on the value of this initiative.
