Agenda - 1-5-15 Reg. Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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X2-0 Johnston - Lee - Hamett Community Action, Inc. Planning Process Narrative (continued) * The Counselors refer families to Head Start and other programs offered by the agency and the community to help stabilize the family. Participants are referred to Human Resources Development classes and (ESL) English as a Second Language at Johnston Community College, Central Carolina Community College and to other agencies offering classes. Participants are mandated to enroll in and attend Career Readiness Certification classes at the community colleges to increase their job - readiness skills. * Budgeting and other group- learning classes are taught by agency and from the community to enhance job - readiness skills of our participants. Participants are referred to any programs that can help them work toward achieving their goals whether the service provider is internal or external. 5. Describe how your agency will establish linkages between governmental and other social services programs to assure the effective delivery of such services to low- income individuals, to avoid the duplication of such services and to fill identified gaps in services, through the provision of information, referrals, case management and follow -up consultations. * Staff composition in Johnston County consist of a STARS Senior Counselor /Supervisor and two (2) STARS Counselors. Because of budget constraints in Lee County only one STARS Counselor provide services to low- income people. Harnett County has a STARS Senior Counselor /Supervisor and one (1) full time STARS Counselor. The CSBG Director monitors the total CSBG Program (see organizational chart). When a participant enters the STARS office, a counselor will interview them to assess their situation. The participant completes a 'Tell Me About Yourself" questionnaire so the counselor can determine the next course of action. The counselor completes an intake and that information is assessed to determine if the participant is eligible for enrollment into the STARS Program. The file is then given to the Senior Counselor who will review it to determine if it meets the eligibility guidelines and to assign the participant to a STARS Counselor. If the needs are for emergency food, a voucher is issued on -site and they are then referred to Social Services to apply for food stamps. If the need is for emergency shelter, etc. the counselor will refer them to the appropriate resource in order to link needs with services. When needed the counselor will facilitate the process through direct communication, coordination of services to help strengthen the link between the participant and service provider. When there's a crisis, an intake is completed by a counselor and if eligible, the client is referred to the STARS Senior Counselor who reviews all applications for emergency assistance. The crisis is corroborated by contacting the service providers who can confirm the information given by the applicant. The senior counselor then searches for community resources or generates a voucher (if funds are available) to meet the need. The agency has received grants from the Presbyteda of New Hope to assist with rental deposits for eligible participants. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program provided grants in Johnston, Lee and Harnett Counties to assist participants with utility bills and rental and /or mortgage payments. United Way of the Greater Triangle provides funds to assist low - income people in crisis that lives in Johnston County, while the United Way of Harnett County help resolve emergency situations in Harnett County. The United Way of Lee County allocated funding earmarked for emergency assistance. Partnering with other groups has proven to be a successful undertaking for Johnston - Lee -Hamett Community Action, Inc. to help build bridges and break down barriers. The goal of the agency is to provide a ladder of opportunity for disadvantaged individuals and /or families to pull themselves up and out of the stranglehold of poverty. The STARS Senior Counselors meet with the counselors on a weekly basis to discuss concerns, client progress, celebrate successes or setbacks that could potentially hinder the successful attainment of the goals set by their self - sufficiency participants. During this meeting, potential candidates for case management are discussed and the senior counselor then assigns a counselor to the participant. Fiscal Year 2015 -16 Community Services Block Grant Application Page 11 of 49