Serving Van Buren Township, Monroe County, Indiana
The township trustee is an elected official charged with providing temporary emergency assistance to Van Buren Township residents who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship. The trustee helps with basic necessities such as rent, utilities, food, and some medical care.
Township Trustee
Rita Barrow
Do you know what our Trustees do?
Give you a bus ticket to get home
Project Life Saver Program in all townships
Resolve fence disputes
Maintain cemeteries in the county
Help pay rent and utilities
Free burials
Rural transit passes
Workfare
Free insulin to those who can't afford it
They listen, care, and help
Cemeteries We Manage
There are nine cemeteries within Van Buren Township. The Trustee’s office owns and manages the following two.
Koontz Cemetery
Harmony Cemetery
Types of Assistance
Utilities - To prevent loss of service, the trustee will provide vouchers for essential utilities such as water, gas and electric. The trustee may also pay for wood, coal, propane or fuel oil.
Medical - Expenses the trustee may assist with include: prescriptions, insulin and emergency dental care.
Transportation - Gas or bus fare may be provided medical purposes. Traveler's aid may be provided to non-residents seeking to return to their legal residence.
Funerals - The trustee may provide mortuary and burial expenses if no other resources are available.
Application Process - Individuals are given an application along with a list of documents to bring to an interview with a caseworker. Requests for assistance will be decided within three (3) working days. If the applicant qualifies, the trustee will issue a voucher for the approved assistance. Workfare will be assigned to repay the amount of assistance unless the person is working full-time, disabled or without childcare. In accordance with Indiana law, the trustee adheres to Township Assistance Guidelines in determining an applicant's eligibility. The Guidelines are posted in the trustee's office as well as on our website under the township assistance page. The Guidelines are reviewed and updated annually to reflect any changes in applicable federal and state regulations.
Township Staff
Elected Officials
Rita Barrow, Trustee
Elected Township Board
John Wilson, Board President
Will Smith, Board Secretary
Theresa Oatman, Board member
Township Staff
Laura Blaker, Deputy Trustee
Nathan Wigington, Caseworker
Rachel Combs, Caseworker, Accounts Payable
Rebecca Jessmer, Payroll, Accounts Payable
Colby Wicker, Advisor to the Trustee