Agenda - 1-4-16 Reg. Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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JLHCA, Inc. 0 79 Planning Process Narrative (continued) 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 full-time STARS Counselor and one STARS Counselor who works in Lee and Harnett County provide services to low-income people. Harnett County has a STARS Senior Counselor/Supervisor and one (1) full time STARS Counselor. Another STARS Counselor works in Harnett County three days a week. 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 a client comes in with 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 determine eligibility. The crisis is verified by contacting the vendor who can confirm the data shared 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 Presbyteria of New Hope to assist with rental deposits for eligible participants. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program provided grants in Johnston and Harnett Counties to assist participants with utility bills and rental and/or mortgage payments. The 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. Cultivating partnerships with other organizations has proven to be a successful endeavor for the agency to help build bridges and break down barriers. The goal is to provide a ladder for disadvantaged individuals and /or families to use in order to step up and out of poverty. The STARS Senior Counselors meet with the counselors on a weekly basis to discuss concerns, participant progress, celebrate successes or setbacks that could potentially hinder the successful achievement 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. Many of the clients who enter the agency seeking emergency assistance were enrolled into the STARS program after the crisis had been resolved, after it was determined the client would benefit from the case management intervention. Some participants come to the agency seeking case management and others are referred from other organizations/agencies. The STARS Counselors' meet with their case management participants at least once a month to evaluate and review their goals. Counselors work with participants as they move toward realizing their dreams and to help them rise above the poverty level. Group learning activities are offered to participants on topics that can help affect positive changes in their life. Some workshops offered are Job -Readiness, Financial Literacy, Income Tax Preparation, Consumer Education, Energy Conservation and Insurance (all types), etc. Following up on their activities and/or their concerns is a basic but essential part of the self-sufficiency experience. One major goal of casemanagement is that the participants will adopt a more proactive approach in making life choices rather than being reactive: Fiscal Year 2016-17 Community Services Block Grant Application Page 13 of 33