Elk Grove Township General Assistance Director Honored for Service
The director of General Assistance and Community Outreach for Elk Grove Township, was recently honored with the Outstanding Caseworker of the Year award by the Illinois Township Association of General Assistance Caseworkers, on November 14, 2017, in Springfield during the annual Township Officials of Illinois (TOI) conference.
Candidates from all over Illinois were nominated by Township supervisors or general assistance directors/managers, and nominations were based on the following criteria: level of service provided, going above and beyond serving clients, improving services to the community, community involvement and impact.
"Lisa exudes the Township's motto of 'Empowering People Through Community'," said Elk Grove Township Supervisor Mike Sweeney. "She has made it her top priority to provide the best service possible for in-need residents."
Menich was instrumental in establishing a Community Resource Board at Elk Grove Township, which includes current local job openings, in addition to educational and training opportunities. Veterans' services, community and Township events, and other information for residents are also included.
The Township's Employment Support Center was created with Menich's input and assistance in 2016. The Employment Center has the capacity to serve more than 30 individuals each month, assisting Township residents with building resumes, networking skills, and a variety of resources to help locate new job opportunities.
"While we received many nominations for this year's award, Lisa stood out with her dedication and genuine enthusiasm for serving the most vulnerable of her community," said Mary Jo Imperato, president of the Illinois Township Association of General Assistance Caseworkers. "Lisa, [along with the] assistance programs at Elk Grove Township, are an excellent representation of how Township government is a valuable resource for so many of our residents."
Menich's community involvement also extends to the creation of Elk Grove Township Agency Collaborative (EGTAC), which is strengthened by partnerships with local social service agencies and churches who jointly work with the Township to provide referrals and resources for those in-need. Results of this collaborative, which began in early 2017, have increased Food Pantry donations, more Township volunteers, and additional community resources. Menich has been with the Township since August of 2015, and has been in her current role as director since February of 2016.
For more information about Elk Grove Township and the services it provides, visit elkgrovetownship.com, or call 847-437-0300.
About Elk Grove Township:
The mission of Elk Grove Township is to carry out the duties and responsibilities of Township government as prescribed by Illinois law. The ways in which these goals are accomplished is by providing assistance to promote the health, safety and welfare of all Township residents, and to maintain the highways and property of the Township both professionally and economically. Additionally, this mission is to be carried out in a timely and efficient manner with the highest degree of service to the taxpayers, thereby continuing the tradition of service provided by Elk Grove Township.
The boundaries of Elk Grove Township are Central Road on the North; Mount Prospect Road on the East; Devon Avenue on the South; and Rohlwing Road; (generally Route 53) on the West. About 66% of Elk Grove Village is in our Township; 55% of Mount Prospect; 20% of Des Plaines; 15% of Arlington Heights and 10% of Rolling Meadows. About one-fourth of the geographic area of the Township is unincorporated, a large portion of which is in the Ned Brown Preserve, also known as Busse Woods located in Elk Grove Village.