NEMCSA Programs
EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
ADOLESCENT SERVICES
AREA AGENCY
ON AGING
COMMUNITY
BASED CARE SERVICES
CLIENT
SERVICES
VOLUNTEER
SERVICES
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
MICHIGAN
WORKS!
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. Its mission is simple: to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children, and promote healthy family functioning. Recent advances in the field of infant development make this an especially exciting time to have Head Start formally expand its family to include the provision of Early Head Start services. Family income is one key factor in determining eligibility for program participation. The federal poverty guidelines are used to evaluate family income. More...
Head Start is a preschool education program for children 3 - 5 years of age whose family incomes are at or below 100% of poverty. At least 10% of enrollment slots are reserved for children with documented disabilities. Head Start is a comprehensive program in that, in addition to education, it provides for social service, health/dental, nutrition, mental health, and disability services to participating families. By coordinating these services for each child, Head Start provides skills which bring about a greater degree of social competence and allows the child to more effectively deal with their present environment and later responsibilities in school and life. More...
NEMCSA's Head Start
program serves children in twenty-one
The Michigan School Readiness Program provides the same services as Head Start with the exception that eligibility is open to families whose incomes are within 250% of poverty.
For more information about the NEMCSA Head Start program, call 1-800-968-2226 ext. 219. or e-mail to: HeadStart@nemcsa.org
School Success Partnership is a prevention program that identifies elementary students who are showing early signs of difficulty in school and other settings. What happens to a child at home, play, and at school can deeply affect a youngster's ability to learn. Through this program workers can identify a child's needs, address those needs, and help that youngster have a sound, successful early learning experience that will stay with a child for a lifetime.
Any child who is experiencing difficulties may be referred to the School Success Program by a parent, teacher, community agency, or school success worker. These difficulties may include: excessive absenteeism, behavior problems, family crisis situations, withdrawn behavior, untended needs, transitional difficulties, or any factor that may have a negative impact on a child's successful learning experience.
Close communication is
established and maintained between home and school through a School Success
Worker. Teachers, parents, school staff, and student are all involved in
developing an action plan, to determine the steps necessary to help the child
be successful in school. The School Success Worker has weekly contact
with the child, bi-weekly home visits with parents, and frequent contact with
teachers. This contact is necessary to help maintain success of the
action plan goals and to insure student progress.
Family involvement in the School Success Program is voluntary, except in cases of truancy. All information about the students and families is the program is kept confidential. More...
Program specific information can be obtained by calling (989) 358-5006 or e-mail Dorothy Pintar
AREA
AGENCY ON AGING
The purpose of the Area Agency on Aging is to plan, coordinate and develop a comprehensive service delivery system for the elderly within its planning and service area. The Area Agency on Aging service area includes 12 counties: Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon. More...
Long Term Care Ombudsman Program
Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program
(MMAP)
National Family Caregiver Support
The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program provides information and education to families and individuals about long term care facilities and services. The Ombudsman investigates concerns and helps facility residents, families and friends to resolve problems dealing with quality care, residents' rights and state regulating services. The Ombudsman and Ombudsman Volunteers acts as a liaison between residents, care providers and state regulatory agencies. The Ombudsman provides educational programs and training in residents' rights, guardianship, volunteer advocacy and long term care public benefits. For more information e-mail Stephanie Tuuri or call 989-356-3474.
The Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program (MMAP) is a hotline for Medicare beneficiaries and their families to access well-trained volunteers who assist with understanding Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, enrollment and coverage, medical bills, supplemental and long-term care insurance. For more information call 1-800-803-7174 or go to www.mymmap.org
*For Prescription Information and Assistance e-mail Connie Skowronek or call 989-356-3474
In-Home Services including Homemaking, Personal Care, Home Delivered Meals, and
Respite Care are sub-contracted to local service providers. Recipients must
meet the 60 years of age requirement or be the spouse of someone 60 years of
age or older. Persons requesting one or more of these services must possess a
need for assistance with certain activities of daily living. There are no
income guidelines to receive services, however donations and cost sharing are
encouraged to help maintain the program. For more information e-mail Misty Dragiewicz or call 989-356-3474.
Congregate Meal sites are located in all twelve counties served by the Area Agency on Aging. Local Senior Centers are the focus for providing these daily nutritionally balanced meals to individuals. Participants must meet the 60 years of age requirement or be the spouse of someone 60 years of age or older. There are no income guidelines for participation, however suggested donation rates, per meal, are posted.
*Some Senior Centers require advanced reservations for meal preparation.
Program specific
information can be obtained by calling the Area Agency on Aging at (989)
356-3474 or
e-mail: Kelly Robinette
Region IX Congregate Meal Sites
This National Family Caregiver Support program provides information and services to family caregivers who are caring for someone older than age 60, or the grandparent(s) and other relative caregivers over the age of 60 who are caring for a child age 18 or under. Priority will be given to those in greatest social and economic need with particular attention to low-income older individuals. For more information e-mail Kara LaMarre or call 989-356-3474.
Tobacco Settlement funds are available to establish Adult Day Care Service programs where none currently exist, expand, or enhance existing adult day care programs, and provide on-going support of adult day care centers.
See below for list of available Adult Day Centers in the Region IX Service Area:
The Caring Place,
Otsego Haus Adult Day
Services,
Pleasant
Sand Castles, 1531 Sand Road, Cheboygan, MI 49721 231-597-8317 Fax: 231-597-8337 www.3coa.com
Elder Abuse/TRIAD is cooperation between law enforcement, senior citizens and senior service providers. TRIAD strives to reduce criminal victimization of older persons and assesses the needs and concerns of older citizens. Roscommon County is active with TRIAD involvement. Presque Isle and Montmorency Counties are in the development stages. For more information contact your local Council or Commission on Aging or Kara LaMarre at 989-356-3474.
COMMUNITY BASED CARE
SERVICES
Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund
(MATLF)
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Care Management (CM) is a service designed to
locate, mobilize and manage a variety of home care and other services needed by
frail elderly persons aged 60 and older at risk of nursing home placement. A
cost sharing fee scale is an element of the program, however service will not
be denied if the person is unable to pay. More...
The MI-Choice Waiver Program is designed to allow persons who are eligible for
Medicaid-covered nursing home services (anyone age 18 and older) to remain in
their own home with the same level of care. Clients must be
medically eligible for nursing home placement and financially eligible for
Medicaid based on 300% of SSI and assets of $2,000 or less per individual. More….
The ">Home and Community Based Waiver program is available in Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Crawford, Cheboygan, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon counties.
Program specific
information can be obtained by calling the MI-Choice Program at (989) 356-3474
or e-mail: Cheryl Riopelle
The Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund (MATLF) provides low cost, fixed-rate loans to qualified applicants to finance the purchase of assistive technology devices and/or services. Examples of potential loan items includes vehicle lifts, ramps, home modifications, specialized computers, etc. To participate in the program, applicants must be individuals with disabilities or parents/guardians of individuals with disabilities.
The MATLF is a joint
effort of the Michigan Disabilities Rights Coalition, United Cerebral Palsy of
Michigan, and the Centers for Independent Living statewide. Additional
information can be obtained by contacting NEMCSA Connie
Skorownek or
CLIENT SERVICES
Emergency
Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
Low Income Weatherization Program
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) serves
Individuals less than 60 years of age that have income at or below 130% of
Federal Poverty Guidelines. Individuals 60 years of age or older must
have income at or below 160%. Recipients must be certified annually.
The program
began in 1981 as a means to reduce the quantity of surplus cheese being stored
by the federal government. Since its inception, the number of foods available
has varied between four and thirteen items. Distributions are held on a
quarterly basis during the months of November, February, May and August.
Program
specific information can be obtained by calling the Ossineke Warehouse at (989)
471-2607, Toll Free (866) 270-0685 or e-mail: Michelle Williams
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is designed to aid
those low-income individuals most vulnerable to malnutrition during critical
periods of growth and development - infants, children age one through five, as
well as pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding mothers with income at or below
185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, and not on WIC (Women, Infants, and
Children) program; and the elderly 60 years of age and older with income at or
below 130% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Program
specific information can be obtained by calling (989) 471-2607, Toll Free:
(866) 270-0685 or e-mail: Deb
Wilds.
The Low Income Weatherization Program provides water heater
insulation, pipe wrap, low flow shower head installation, ceiling and attic
insulation and ventilation, wall, floor and perimeter insulation, caulking,
weather-stripping and other measures to prevent air infiltration. Energy saving
measures installed on homes depend on energy audit of the client's home and
funding available.
Housing units
are eligible for weatherization assistance if they are occupied by a family
whose income is at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, priority is
given to families under 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, or which contain a
member who has received ADC or SSI assistance in the twelve month period prior
to determination of eligibility.
Program
specific information can be obtained by calling (989) 471-5110 Toll Free: (866)
270-0686 or e-mail Dixie McMillan.
Crisis
Prevention Programs
The Homeless Prevention Program provides security deposits, first month's rent, rental
and utility arrearage payments, and some other assistance. Requirements are
that:
1.) the family has
experienced a sudden drop in income which results in the family being unable to
meet housing costs;
2.) this assistance is
necessary to avoid eviction or termination of utilities;
3.) the family has
sufficient income to make future payments after one-time assistance;
4.) sufficient
assistance is not available from another source. There are no specific income
qualifications for the program, except that there has been a decline in income
which is resulting in homelessness. The program does require specific
documentation of need.
The Utility Assistance Program provides assistance with heat and utility emergency needs
to individuals and families whose household income is within 200% of the
Federal Poverty Guidelines, and who cannot find sufficient assistance
elsewhere. Needs which may be addressed include: heat and utility
assistance with deliverable fuels, and shutoffs with electricity, natural gas,
and water service. Very specific documentation is required.
Program specific
information can be obtained by calling (989) 471-3277, Toll Free: (866)
270-0687 or e-mail to: Beth Storms.
The Client
Services service area includes: Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Cheboygan, Crawford,
Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties.
Michigan Enrolls (Maximus) is a service to help Medicaid recipients
make an educated decision when choosing a managed health plan. The
program provides education, outreach and enrollment on the health plans that
are available in the recipient's county of residence. There are some
Medicaid recipients that are excluded from this managed care health plan
choice. For those who are mandatory to enroll, MICHIGAN ENROLLS will help the recipient
make an educated decision on which health plan will best meet their medical
needs. More...
Program specific
information can be obtained by calling the Michigan Enrolls Program at (989)
356-3474 or e-mail: Beth
Storms
VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)
Senior
Companion Program (SCP)
Retired
and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) provides volunteer opportunities to
income eligible senior citizens by establishing a consistent, one-on-one
relationship with children in need of personal attention and special help. The
program requires that individuals be 60 years of age or older, have income
below 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, and have a doctor's physical.
Recertification is required annually and continuing participants are permitted
an additional 20% of income. Stipends earned within the program are not counted
as income. More...
The Senior Companion Program (SCP) operates with guidelines similar to
the Foster Grandparent Program but the volunteers provide companionship and
assistance to frail homebound elders and older persons with special needs. Both
programs receive federal and state funds. More...
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is the third
program within the National Senior Service Corps (NSSC) funded by the
Corporation for National Service and the Michigan Office of Services to the
Aging. The RSVP, like SCP and FGP, is part of the National Senior Service
Corps and is governed by many of the same regulations; however, volunteers have
more flexibility in their choice of volunteer service.
RSVP
volunteers are all age 55 or older. Unlike Senior Companions and Foster
Grandparents, RSVP volunteers do not have to meet an income requirement.
The volunteers are able to choose the number of hours they want to volunteer
and were they want to volunteer. You will see them involved in everything
from tutoring to delivering "meals on wheels" to clerical work at a
hospital and everything in between. More...
The SCP and
FGP Volunteer Services area includes: Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Cheboygan,
Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle and
Roscommon counties. RSVP Volunteer
Services area includes: Crawford and
Program
specific information can be obtained by calling (989) 356-3474 or e-mail
to: Barb
Dault
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NEMCSA’s
Community Development Division services include housing proposal preparation
and technical assistance; assistance with water projects; public opinion and needs
assessment surveys; outside evaluation; and extensive census data services.
Many Community
Development projects are highly visible in the counties, towns and townships of
the northeast
Family
Self-Sufficiency Program
Individual Development Account Program
NEMCSA is a Census Affiliate of the Census Bureau through the Michigan Center for Geographical
Information, and receives the latest data direct upon release via email with
links to the internet. Basic information is also received on CD-ROM and
in print form. Data is available for every county, township, city, and
village in
Homeless
Technical Assistance
Before a
community can receive any funds to resolve the problems of homelessness, state
and federal funding sources require that a collaborative networking system be
in place. NEMCSA staff assist communities in developing and maintaining such a
system, which is called a Continuum of Care.
Program
specific information can be obtained by calling (989) 356-3474 or e-mail
to: Karen Godi
NEMCSA's Housing Program offers technical assistance to County Housing Commissions and
non-profits throughout the eleven county service area. Since 1996, the
housing program has designed special housing development projects on a service
area wide basis. These projects are aimed at increasing affordable
housing for first time home buyers.
Program
specific information can be obtained by calling (989) 356-3474 or e-mail
to: Marlene McCulloch
The Community
Development service area includes Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Cheboygan, Crawford,
Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties.
Free tax preparation
assistance is provided to individuals and families qualifying for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a
refundable credit for low-income working adults and families. The filer
does not have to "pay it in to get it back". NEMCSA offers this
service in eleven counties. Program specific information can be obtained
by contacting
Money IDA is an Individual Development Account Program
The Family
Self-Sufficiency Program
provides case management to participating families through a coordination of
local, community-based resources that promote economic independence. The
program staffs goals are to help families maintain employment, become
self-sufficient, move off assistance and move into home ownership. Through this
process, participants work to increase their family income and lead to higher
rent payments. In turn, the difference between rent amounts is deposited into
an escrow account. Upon successful completion of the program, participants can
use their escrow account funds for homeownership down payment assistance, debt
relief, vehicle purchase or educational expenses.
NEMCSA
operates the FSS program in conjunction with MSHDA for up to 70 eligible
Housing Choice Rental Voucher holders in the following ten counties: Alcona,
Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego and
Presque Isle.
The Supportive
Housing Program is designed, as part of
the Continuum of Care Strategy, and provides assistance and supportive services
to homeless persons who are transitioning from streets and shelters to
permanent housing and maximum self-sufficiency.
Services
can include, but are not limited to, first month’s rent, security deposit, and
household goods, as well as individual or family case management to ensure
long-term success. Eligibility is based on individual or family living
situations. The program is available throughout the NEMCSA basic service area.
For more
information, contact Leslie Scheen, Rural Housing and Information
Specialist, at 989-356-3474, ext.
257.
MICHIGAN
Talent Bank/Job Bank computerized labor exchange system
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Talent Bank/Job Bank computerized labor exchange system Talent Bank web site
All NEMCSA
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult and Dislocated Workers programs
are for individuals 18 years and older. The program’s mission is to provide
information, support and resources that enable individuals to make a successful
adjustment and quick transition for entry or reentry into the workforce.
Core
Services: Self-help services available to job seekers who require
assistance, with no eligibility requirements. Services may include: local and
statewide employment opportunities, labor market information, resume writing
information, skill assessment, job search and placement assistance and career
counseling.
Intensive
Services: Services designed for those who meet eligibility requirements
and are unable to obtain employment through core services, and have been
determined to be in need of more intensive services in order to obtain
employment. Services may include: comprehensive and specialized assessments of
skill levels, individual and group career counseling and planning and
assistance in sharpening learning, communications, and interviewing skills.
Training
Services: Services may be available to individuals who meet eligibility
requirements and are unable to obtain employment through intensive services.
Training services may include: classroom or occupational skills and on-the-job.
The Welfare Reform Program system assists adult benefit recipients (e.g. TANF, food stamps,
child care, medicaid) and non-custodial parents in the transition to
self-sufficiency through employment. Services available include:
Joint agency orientation, individual opportunities analysis and goal
exploration, employability training, case management, job search and placement
assistance, supportive services and financial assistance with education.
Through the
Program specific
information can be obtained by calling (989) 356-3339 for Alcona, Alpena,
Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque
Isle Counties; (989) 739-1444 for Arenac, Iosco, and Gladwin Counties and (989)
539-2173 for Clare, Ogemaw and Roscommon Counties.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a work training
program designed to provide and promote useful part-time opportunities in
community service employment for low income persons age 55 and older and assist
them in receiving the training that may be required for employment in private
or other unsubsidized employment. For more information e-mail Dawn Stone or call 989-356-3339