If you call the Community Services Department, chances are you will speak to Kristina Pendergraft. Her title is staff support specialist, but her job might better be described as citizen support specialist.
Kristina hears from people seeking all sorts of information. Recently she helped a woman who could not understand why the City was not picking up her trash. (She had filled her trash cart with yard waste, which is collected separately.) Kristina talks regularly with people who cannot find the City government phone number they need, are having trouble locating a document on the City website, or have questions about fair housing rights.
She takes these calls regardless of whether the service in question actually is provided by the Community Services Department or even the City of Raleigh. She talks to people who are looking for homeless shelters and drug rehab, for example. Recently, a caller wanted to know what to do about a tree that had fallen on a foreclosed home. Another wanted to help feed the homeless. These are not our areas of expertise, but Kristina directed the callers to others who could help.
Kristina’s experience is evidence that people are eager for information about government programs and services. That desire also is reflected in a recent survey in which we asked the public for feedback on our programs and services. We wanted to know what you think of the job we are doing – and how we can do it better.
The public’s evaluation was overwhelmingly positive, I’m happy to say. But when asked how we could be more useful, a big majority of respondents said they wanted more information about resources and services offered by the City. Many also said they wanted earlier notice of upcoming events and easier access to services and programs.
In Community Services, we believe that information is critical for keeping people engaged in their neighborhoods and the wider community. For this reason, one of our goals is to become recognized as the leading source of reliable information and easy access to City services related to neighborhoods, communities, volunteerism, and positive youth development. This goal is incorporated in our department’s three-year strategic plan.
We use a variety of ways to spread information, including Facebook, Twitter, the City website, newsletters, email blasts, news releases, the Raleigh Beehive, and this blog. We invite you, too, to help us spread the word. If you have participated in one of our programs or have benefited from a service we provide, please let others know. And, of course, if you need information, please call us at (919) 996-6100. Even if your question has to do with a service we do not provide directly, we will do our best to help connect you to the resources you need.