Tracie Coffman is the Director of the Essential Needs Task Force for Kent County in Grand Rapids. She represents CEDAM’s Region 3 (West Michigan).

What is the history/purpose of your organization, in one sentence?

The Kent County Essential Needs Task Force (ENTF) works to ensure that all Kent County residents have access to resources to meet their basic needs.

What do you do at your organization?

I am the director of the ENTF.  I work with the five committees (Transportation, Workforce Development, Energy Efficiency, Food/Nutrition, and Housing) to guide system level evaluations of our work in Kent County.  I am reasonable for working with our members to set outcomes and goals for each of the committees to ensure we are making the changes necessary to better serve our community.  Additionally, I work to bridge communication and information between these committees (systems) because each of them is interconnected to another.

Is there anything special we should know about you or your organization?

The ENTF was formed 32 years ago in Kent County and has served as our coordinating body for basic needs in work in this community ever since.