Recently published data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count and the "America After 3PM" survey conducted by the Afterschool Alliance draw public attention to issues that workers in the fields of child welfare, children's mental health and education face daily.

According to these studies, 18 percent of Florida's children are living at or below the poverty line, and 27 percent of our K-12 youth go unsupervised from the time the school bell rings until their parent or guardian returns from work. These statistics are troubling, yet highly understated. Why are so many of our children living in at-risk situations? And more importantly, what are we going to do about it?

Volusia County ranks at the top of the state with regard to the number of child-abuse reports made to the state hotline. Daytona Beach has the highest number of sexual assaults per capita of any city in the state. The number of children residing in out-of-home placements is also well above average. And last, but not least, substance abuse is a major problem in our area.

These issues are deeply intertwined. For example, more than 70 percent of substantiated child-abuse and neglect cases demonstrate some involvement with substance abuse. The percentage of sexual assaults with drug and alcohol involvement is also high. We cannot attack any of these issues in a vacuum, and we must be honest about the time, energy and expense that must be invested to truly enact change.

The not-for-profit agencies of Volusia and Flagler counties work together diligently to meet such challenges. Most of our social-service leaders are acutely aware that only through partnership can we improve the lives of our disenfranchised children and families.

Still, too many dollars are wasted on duplicated services, ineffective programs and administrative costs that would be better spent expanding direct services in critical areas such as child/family wellness, family-inclusive substance abuse treatment, job training and the development of safe affordable housing.

County government needs to deeply examine not only what services are needed, but also analyze how to streamline services. Not-for-profit agencies need to look within as well and aggressively pursue partnership with agencies providing similar services.

What can be done to conserve resources and improve outcomes for at-risk children and families in Volusia and Flagler counties? The answer lies in the integration of services.

One possible model is the Neighborhood Partnership Project run by the Children's Advocacy Center Children. One of several pilot programs in the state, it offers a multidisciplinary approach to family safety and preservation. The partnership helps bring the array of services required by a single family to one table and helps plan an "individualized course of action."

Families are referred to the partnership by the Department of Children and Families and Community Based Care as well as churches, schools, family members and neighbors. After a family interview, the partnership's Family Team Conference assesses needs and invites appropriate service providers to a casual meeting that takes place over a meal. The focus is positive and proactive. About two hours later, everyone leaves with a plan in hand and a full understanding of their roles. The streamlined process helps clients and providers alike.

Often, one client may be receiving similar services from multiple providers, yet other important areas critical to their growth and development go unattended. The partnership diminishes duplication of services and ensures that all significant issues are addressed, thus saving time and money. It also promotes safe and stable families and reduces risks for our children and families.

Regardless of the model -- whether it is the Neighborhood Partnership Program or something else -- we providers must aggressively choose and implement a plan to integrate the delivery of services in Volusia and Flagler counties.

Attacking each issue separately is akin to putting a series of little bandages on a gaping wound and then wondering why an infection festers.

Maryann Barry has executive director of the Children's Advocacy Center since 2002 and has 20 years experience in family services. She holds degrees from Marymount College and the University of Alabama, where she is completing work on a doctorate.