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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Social Services' mission is
to help the poorest of Anderson County with the most basic
of human needs: rent, utilities, mortgage payments,
emergency food, and prescriptions.
All applicants are carefully screened to verify need and
determine the most appropriate form of aid. ADFAC's two Licensed
Clinical Social Workers work individually with each client to
develop contingency plans, explore possibilities for education
or training, keeping a budget and other avenues that promote
self-sufficiency. When needed, clients are referred to GED
prorgrams and mental health facilities. In order to qualify for
assistance, clients must be employed or actively searching for
employment, in school, elderly or disabled.
The Social Services program places emphasis on the prevention of
homelessness and the development of self-sufficiency. Short-term
assistance is provided with the goal of stabilizing the family
during times of crisis.
ADFAC maintains a clearinghouse database of over 10,000 families
that is used to keep confidential records of assistance. When
families request help, ADFAC's staff is available to reference
database entries to provide accurate and current information on
families requesting aid.
ADFAC's Social Services program answers more than 5,000 requests
for assistance each year.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE
RENT AND MORTGAGE
To prevent eviction and homelessness, rent assistance and
mortgage assistance is available. Additionally, security
deposits to help a family move into a residence may be
provided as long as they demonstrate the ability to maintain
payments in the future.
UTILITIES
ADFAC provides utilities assistance to families who are in
danger of losing, or have already lost, essential heat or
electricity.
ADFAC's utilities program is supported by the SAFE and
ASSIST projects, a collaborative effort that encourages
donations from local utilities customers. Project SAFE
assists City of Oak Ridge Utilies and Oak Ridge Utilies
District customers; Project SAFE assists customers of
Clinton Utilities Board and Powell-Clinch Utility District.
RENT AND UTILITIES DEPOSIT
The purpose of the Rent and Utilities Deposit program is to
help families establish new residence or utilities service
during times of crisis (i.e., a victim feeling domestic
violence or a family coming from homelessness).
CRISIS CUPBOARD
ADFAC's Crisis Cupboard provides basic personal hygiene
items (such as toilet paper, diapers and shampoo) that are
not covered by food stamps.
FRESH FOOD VOUCHERS
Fresh Food Vouchers are provided to families who need
short-term assistance in purchasing fresh foods in times
when food stamps and/or WIC do not last the entire month.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
ADFAC's School Supplies program began in 1989 as an effort to
provide necessary supplies and backpacks to children of
disadvtanges families. Each year, in the weeks just prior to
back-to-school, the School Supplies program distributes
supplies to approximately 1400 K-12 students. The program is
unique in that it actually sets up the supplies in a store-like
setting allowing the children, with the help of an adult
volunteer, a chance to shop and choose their supplies from
school lists. Because of these efforts, these children have the
opportunity to arrive at school prepared and ready to learn.
WARM FUZZIES GIFTS FOR TEENS
The Warm Fuzzies program provides holidy gifts to disadvantaged
teenagers who, because of their age, no longer quaify for other
holiday assistance programs. Each December, over 200 teenagers
receive gift bags or stockings filled with age-appropriate
items such as hand-held games, playing cards, perfume, jewelry,
shaving cream, hair-styling products and accessories and gift
certificates for food, music and movies.
PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE
ADFAC's Medication Assistance Program was designed to address
the needs of the uninsured in our community. An ADFAC staff
member or trained volunteer meets with eligible individuals
to provide one-on-one assistance in applying for free or
discounted prescription medication programs offered by pharmaceutical
companies. Short term medication assistance is also provided during
the application process.
TRANSPORTATION LOAN
Because our clients often encounter transportation difficulties,
this program provides interest-free loans up to $500 for the
repair of a vehicle. To be eligible for assistance, clients must
have a current valid driver's license, be working and own the
title to their car
WEATHERIZATION KITS
The goal of the Weatherization Kit program is to give homeowners
the opportunity to make their homes more energy efficient and
reduce utilities costs by providing simple weatherization items
and instruction.
MONEY MATTERS BUDGETING CLASS
ADFAC participates in a local community effort called
"Money Matters" in which local residents take a budgeting
class and can earn a one-time credit toward their utility
bill.
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