Our Frederick, Maryland social services are governed almost entirely by people who have no lived experience of being clients of such services, themselves.

Neither are there any major attempts to bring people with lived experience on board or to ask what clients want: most of the decisions are based on an assumption about the needs of the vulnerable population, made by middle class staff and volunteers, (who can afford to volunteer.)

Such lack of representation leads to additional suicides, overdoses, patients that keep going back in a circle because organizations that provide services are reimbursed for head count and not for the positive outcomes.

Frederick is experiencing a humanitarian crisis which became even worse with the onset of the Coronavirus.

There is no official place for the community that uses social services, to provide feedback about their operation. Many of the people who rely on those services are too guilty or afraid to speak up; they are in a dependent position.

Also, when the programs are expanded, they are not necessarily improved in the interest of the clients.

We, the concerned citizens of Frederick Maryland, would like to see more representation of the people with lived experience in our City and County governments.

That may be done by the establishment of a dedicated government council or by the removal of subtle barriers and class ceilings that prevent, often poor and disadvantaged people with experiences in mental illness, homelessness, drug addiction, etc. to represent themselves in the government, when crucial decisions are made on behalf of services that were established to help them.

Whiteness protection to the people who report violations would also be important to make the process more democratic.

Please sign this petition to help the voice of people with lived experience to have a place in our government. Frederick City/County needs a Community Health Advisory Board, Experience Advisory Board or a similar government body.

Send this petition to your friends: together we can change how our social services are governed.
Thank you!

 

Sincerely,

— Vladimir Tolskiy

 

Some of my writing on the subject:

Conversations About Livelihood.

https://wethepeople.care/page/view-post?id=392

How lack of affordable housing in Frederick delayed my recovery for five years.

https://wethepeople.care/page/view-post?id=399

America Needs Humble “Public Servants” and New Efficiency Metrics to Optimize the Welfare System.

https://wethepeople.care/page/view-post?id=278

Let’s Create More Favorable Conditions For Peer Support.

https://wethepeople.care/page/view-post?id=323

Image by: Bill Kerr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/billkerr/