Community action agencies Massachusetts assistance programs

Community action agency assistance programs in Massachusetts

non-profit community action agencies listed below play a leading role in helping the less fortunate, unemployed, and low income residents. Many of the centers administer an extensive number of financial assistance programs to help families make it through a crisis.

So short term grants may be available for paying expenses, such as rent or heating bills, while a client works with a case manager on self-sufficiency. While many of the agencies provide direct short term assistance for basic needs, or they can refer families to other government or private resources, the focus is always on preventing or ending the cycle of poverty.

So to that end the centers will work with clients to help them gain new skills, find employment in Massachusetts, or increase their educational level. Programs for children and students: Child development programs are offered from Head Start as well as the similar: Early Head Start service .

Many agencies are considered to be experts at early childhood development. They will do whatever it takes to help children from low income families and prepare them for future success.

If your center can’t assist, they will refer you to other local options.

Programs for children and students

Community action agency assistance programs in Massachusetts. In the state of Massachusetts,

The federal government Head Start program focuses on preparing children up to age 5 for school. Teachers and social workers will develop each child's learning and social skills. Some of the services offered include High Quality Education, Individualized Curriculum, free Health Screenings (Including Dental, Vision and Hearing), Family Case Management, and Disability Services and Support.

Often times pre-school-age children are also enrolled in early childhood education and the Massachusetts Department of Social Services may refer families to community action agencies. After school programs offer a nurturing, safe and educationally appropriate environment for school aged children and students whose parents are attending school or working fulltime.

Many locations also coordinate care during the summer or holiday months when the public schools are not in session. The: SummerWorks program can help youth prepare for college and work.

Students can join the Career Exploration program, which introduce younger workers to job skills and career fields that teach the importance of work and contribute to family income and stability.

Job training and employment services from Massachusetts agencies

Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts also help students, of all grades, get the supplies they need for free . This includes school clothing, tablets, pens, pencils, bags, and so much more. Kids need to be prepared and feel confident, and having proper school supplies can help them get on the right path.

Find more details on free school backpacks and supplies

Job training and employment services from Massachusetts agencies: Workforce Development

Education and skills setting resources

can help unemployed and other individuals with job skills training, career awareness, and counseling. All services are intended to enhance someone’s employability.

WIA can provide vital job readiness services and training to unemployed individuals. Case managers will work with you to identify barriers to employment. Non-profit agencies also work with employers across Massachusetts in an effort to pro-actively identify potential job opportunities.

Senior, elderly and homebound food and health resources

Free career workshops are help. Sign up for employment counseling and case management for either unemployed or under employed low-income residents.

Several other government funded job training programs are available at community action agencies and local career centers. Click here

Community action agency grants

job training in Massachusetts Specialized computer workshops may be offered, and these will teach a range of basic and more advanced skills to participants. Some of what may taught includes introduction to Windows, how to use or make apps on smartphones, the fundamentals of Microsoft Word and Excel and other popular programs.

Clients can gain necessary skills crucial to enter the work force. Smartphone apps can also be used as a form of employment. Whether a Samsung or iPhone, Massachusetts residents of all ages, education levels, and backgrounds can use their phone for making a little extra money to pay their bills. Literally thousands of programs are out there.

Find the leading Android and iPhone apps to pay the bills Education and skills setting resources: Case managers are focused on helping people increase their income, and gain new skills to help them either find a job or maybe gain a new one.

Counseling and assistance programs are offered for low and moderate-income residents who want to gain new skills and/or further their education. Some of the educational services offered include adult basic education, GED preparation and help obtaining high school diplomas as well as college preparation.

Some of the employment skills and classes include career counseling, classes on developing computer skills, resume review, and interview practicing. As an example of a more detailed service, computer labs are open at many non-profit community sites. The locations will allow clients to access computers and search for jobs, work on cover letters and resumes, check email, research services, and take classes.

ESL, or English for Speakers of Other Languages , are available across Massachusetts. These programs target immigrants and anyone who is a non-English speaker. Clients are given an opportunity to learn or improve their English writing, language speaking, or reading. Senior, elderly and homebound food and health resources: Massachusetts residents with Medicare can receive free, unbiased, and confidential health insurance information from Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders, or SHINE .

Highly trained and certified counselors can help senior citizens and the elderly make informed choices when it comes to their health care and medical bills. The counselors can provide information on how to enroll in new Medicare benefits. Learn about which program may be best for you among Medicare A & B, Prescription Drug Coverage, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Mass Health.

There are other federal government and state of Massachusetts health care plans or discounts as well, so clients can learn about other programs that help pay for health care bills for people with limited resources and income.

A variety of: Elder Service programs can help senior citizens in maintaining financially secure, healthy, and independent lifestyles. Some programs are even offered in-home.

Community action agency grants: Paying for heating, natural gas bills, and oil can often be challenging in the cold Massachusetts winter. The LIHEAP Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Case management and self-sufficiency

(known as Fuel Assistance in Massachusetts) may be able to help. It is the state’s largest grant program, and it assists tens of thousands of families with keeping their homes warm. Community action agency staff can help clients in the application process for LIHEAP.

The application period begins in the fall and ends early spring of each year. Seniors and the disabled can apply first, and they get priority. All heating types may be eligible for financial assistance.

It doesn’t matter whether you heat with wood pellets, oil, propane, kerosene, cord wood, or another source, all utilities can be covered by LIHEAP. Some centers can direct people to food pantries or clothing assistance

Health care referrals

programs. People in the community can receive furniture for families with young children or infants, free food from a pantry or nearby charity. Many towns and counties also run holiday programs, such as Toy Drives, each holiday season for low-income families with children.

Children can get gifts, toys, winter coats, and maybe even gift cards. A another energy service is:

Weatherization , and this can help people save money on their heating bills. The program helps makes the households of low-income and people who are at risk more energy efficient. The goal is to help people lower their utility bills.

Studies show that weatherizing your home can reduce your annual heating and gas bills by as much as 25% per year, and it is free to people who meet guidelines.

Massachusetts housing counseling services

Weatherization will not only improve the energy efficiency, but also the comfort and safety of homes. The resource is monitored by the Commonwealth's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and funded through the US Department of Energy (DOE). HEARTWAP, or the: Heating System Repairs and Replacement program , is focused on your furnace, boiler, or heating system.

It provides heating system repairs, tune-ups, and even entire system replacements. All services are available for free to clients. If you are faced with a crisis, then the program can pay for the repairs of your heating system.

If your system breaks during the winter, then replacement of heating systems are also considered as part of HEARTWAP. The main goal of this program is ensure that families have energy efficient heating systems that function well.

WIC is a federal government paid for supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under 5 years of age. It provides support to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women and children. Clients in Massachusetts can access nutrition education, formula, healthy foods, and referrals to clinics as well as health and social service providers.

Those who are enrolled may receive vouchers redeemable for healthy foods like cheese, peanut butter, milk, eggs, and more. WIC also coordinates workshops and seminars on nutrition and healthy eating. Emergency assistance programs are less common, but may be offered a