When facing life's challenges, navigating the maze of services and support programs can feel like yet another burden.
“My days are already full and long, like with any other family who's got a lot going on: sports, school, work, kids, pets,” said Maria Hanerfeld, a mother, PTA member and full-time worker.
Life has been especially hard lately for Maria, who is recovering from breast cancer after receiving a diagnosis in May 2023.
“That has been a big challenge and a big obstacle, a big journey,” she reflected. “It’s been good to come out of all that, but it was a difficult treatment journey, which I know a lot of people can relate to.”
Considering everything she has to manage, Maria puts a premium on time and convenience, especially when it comes to securing the support she and her family need during this difficult season. So when she came across the Multnomah County Common Application, she leaped at the opportunity to easily apply for programs that could help offset the cost of her home heating needs.
“My health is my first priority,” Maria said. “I definitely think it's a blessing and not taking things for granted… How can we be more effective with our time? And that’s where the Common Application was so wonderful.”
There are many public and community-based programs available to help Multnomah County residents meet their needs, but word about them doesn’t always reach people who might need them the most — people like Maria.
“There are so many resources out there, especially in this County, that a lot of us don't know about, including me,” she said.
That’s where Multnomah County’s Common Application Program steps in to make a difference. The program is a streamlined, user-friendly online platform that allows people to apply to multiple essential resources with a single application, from housing supports to services for families and seniors.
As of October 2024, the Common Application includes 18 local programs ranging from community-based organizations like Meals on Wheels and the Eviction Defense Project, to programs offered by local governments, like Multnomah County’s Veterans Services and Weatherization programs or the City of Portland’s sewer, stormwater and water bill discount program.
“A lot of times, we think that something has to be really complicated to have a profound impact on people's lives,” said Commissioner Lori Stegmann, who, alongside her staff, championed the program’s creation.
“This is a very simple idea. We have the technology. It's something that we can easily adapt into our everyday life. Every person that we come across, every nonprofit or organization that we talk to, we can tell them about this tool.”
The idea for the program came about when Commissioner Stegmann first took office. She and her staff visited an East Multnomah County shelter in her district and met with people who, she learned, were unaware of critical County services.
“We ran into a woman who was pregnant that was staying at the shelter. She knew about some services, but one service she didn't know about was Women, Infant and Children (WIC),” said Stegmann. “And so I thought it was such a travesty that there are these amazing resources for people, and yet they're not even aware of them.”
The platform is also available in 68 languages and offers phone support for those who prefer to complete the application with live guidance.
“When I think about all these different services, they're not just nice to have — they're literally life saving for some people,” said Stegmann. “They can have a generational impact, not only on the individual receiving the services, but on their children and their grandchildren. And again, that's what the mission of the County is, is to help people.”
Multnomah County partnered with FORWARD, a company with experience in helping governments improve access to resources through technology, to develop the Common Application. FORWARD provides support to applicants and screens applications for eligibility. They have also assisted with community outreach and demonstrations to partner organizations.
According to Crystal Hilton, FORWARD Program Manager for Multnomah County’s Common Application, applicants need to create a username and password.
“From there you'll go through the application, enter your information, then select the programs that you are interested in or want to apply for that you are eligible for,” she said. Once the application is submitted, FORWARD staff will keep the process moving.
“For those who are not as technologically savvy, there’s phone support,” said Hilton. “They don't have to sit there and figure out questions.”
Applicants should be able to present proof of residency in Multnomah County and photo ID; in some cases, they will need to submit proof of income or utility bills.
The program reduces redundancy, said Stegmann. “All they have to do is know that there is one website, one portal, where they can get multiple services and services that they may not have even known existed.
“People become traumatized and re-traumatized every time they're asked to retell their story,” Stegmann added, highlighting the emotional toll of repeatedly filling out forms when seeking help from multiple programs and agencies.
Maria appreciates the way the Common Application considers the time and experiences of people searching for help, as well as giving her the information to pass help forward.
“It was all right there on one page, that was really nice,” she said. “And there were a lot of things that I didn't know were there that I know now. It may not be something I can benefit from, but I can tell people about. And that’s what I think is really great about our community, is that just giving people some insight on the resources that are out there.”
Learn more about the Multnomah County Common Application Program at
forwardplatform.com/common-app/.