Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-12-19
Social Service Is
Clearing House For
Needy Individuals
Special Interest Attached To
Activities During The
Holidays

The Montgomery County Social
Service Exchange which is a clearing
house maintaining an alphabetical file
of the names Of families and individ-
uals known to the various social well
fare organizations of the county was
in February, 1885. The
Advisory Board consists of Mrs.
Clapper, chairman; Mrs. Lamar,
treasurer; Miss Foley, Miss Groomes,
Miss Jones, superintendent of the
Montgomery General Hospital, chief
Garrett, DR.. Ellicott, DR.. Broome and
Mr.. Souder.
When any social welfare agencies
receives new application, and is ask
ed to give some form of social SER
vice" to family or individual, the
organization should at once Enquire
of the Exchange and learn what other
organizations are, or have been, inter
ested in the family. Then the new
agency should consult with these
other organizations. Sometimes one or
the other of these agencies may be
planning to take complete RESPONSE
bility for helping the family out of its
difficulties. and the new agency need
not come into the situation at all.
Many times the records of other
agencies throw light that could be
gained in no other way upon the
background of the family, the person
alities of its members, the problems
and difficulties of the past, how the
agency has tried to help the family
meet these problems, and what are
the attitudes, ambitions and the ideals
of those whom the agency is asked
to help.
Often two or more organizations
are interested in the family at the
same time and are giving different
forms of social treatment. Without
the Exchange, two agencies may be
following out two entirely different
plans of treatment for the family.
This means the possibility of serious
harm to the family, or at least the
likelihood of bringing about confusion,
suspicion, or resentment. The Ex-
change makes it possible for all the
agencies which are interested in a
family to share their experience and
to plan together how they may best
work with the family.
The Social Service Exchange is now
giving clearing service to the social
welfare agencies of the county. Clear
ing service is Of particular signific-
ance at this time of the year, when
so many organizations and clubs are
giving Christmas baskets and making
special plans for poor families. It is
urged that a represersse Of each
club or organization planning to give
Christmas baskets to any family or
individual in the county, clear that
name with the Social Service Ex-
change. This will prevent duplication
and give constructive social service
to the county. In the past, some fam
lilies have received as many as nine
or ten Christmas baskets, while 9th
ers have gone without any special
care. Cases may be cleared for this
purpose by telephoning Rockville 1927,
or calling on the Exchange at the
Court House at Rockville $50. The
Montgomery County Welfare Board
Is temporarily furnishing the office
space, the clerical help, telephone ser
vice and some Of the office equipment.
Other equipment was furnished by
from the various
agencies of the county.
The office is located in the offices
If the Welfare Board in the Old
Court House, Rockville, Maryland.