Help for people in need

United Ways 2-1-1 Service

2-1-1 provides information and referral services about basic needs (food, clothing, and shelter), childcare, energy assistance, disability services, suicide prevention senior services, veteran’s services, health services and much more.

Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Dial 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org

The Department of  Social Services

The Department of Social Services programs is available to all applicants and recipients without regard to race, and color creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, disabilities, learning disabilities, national origin, and ancestry or language barriers.  Deaf and hearing impaired persons may use TDD/TTY by calling 1-800-842-4524. Auxiliary aids are also available for blind or visually impaired persons.

The Department of Social services along with other Connecticut agencies and organizations provide a wide range of programs that may benefit your family. For more information about available resources visit the Department of Social Services website at www.ct.gov/dss or dial 2-1-1

The Department of Social services is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

 Housing

You can apply for Section 8 housing Choice voucher program and the state Rental Assistance Program when a housing authority or the state opens its waiting list.For information about housing  waiting lists that may be taking applications for the Housing Choice Voucher program visit the United Way 2-1-1 website at www.211ct.org.

You may also register your email address at this website to be notified when a Housing Choice Voucher waiting list opens.There are many other low-cost housing options, please dial 2-1-1 for information about options, as well as for information about other housing services,

such as eviction and foreclosure prevention, security deposits and shelters for the homeless or victims of domestic violence.

 

 Care 4 kids

Care 4 kids helps low- to- moderate income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs. This program is sponsored by the Department of Social Services.

Care 4 kids helps low- to- moderate income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs. This program is sponsored by the Department of Social Services.

To learn more about Care 4 Kids, visit their website at: www.ctcare4kids.com, or call 1-888-214-KIDS (5437) 8am -5pm, Monday- Friday, 8am-6pm Thursday.

Charter Oak Health Plan

The charter oak health plan provides affordable health care coverage to Connecticut adults, aged 19 through 64, of all incomes.

It’s the first time every uninsured adult in Connecticut can get quality , affordable health insurance, and it costs as little as $75 per month in premiums , depending on your income. Coverage includes preventive care, emergency room and hospital visits, primary care and specialist physicians, pharmacy, and behavioral health services and prescriptions medications.

To get more information, request an application or apply by phone call: 1-877-77-CT OAK (1-877-772-8625)

www.charteroakhealthplan.com

Husky Health Coverage

The Husky plan is Connecticut’s free or low- cost health insurance program for children and youth up to age 19.  Designed to provide health coverage to all uninsured children, HUSKY is open to children in families of every income level.HUSKY can also provide health coverage for parents, relative caregivers and pregnant women, depending on income.

Children receive a comprehensive health care benefits package, including preventive care physician visits, prescriptions, vision care, dental care, physicals, mental health, and

substance abuse services durable medical equipment, emergency and hospital care.

For information call toll free 1877 CT HUSKY 1877 284 8759 Website: www.huskyhealth.com

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Snap, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a nutrition program that helps low-income individuals and families buy food. SNAP is funded by the U.S Department of Agriculture and administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services. Benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefits Transfer “EBT” card that works just like a regular debit card. You can use your EBT card at most grocery stores and at some farmers markets. All SNAP recipients are eligible to receive free nutrition education.

For more information and to find out where to apply visit www.ct.gov/SNAP or dial 2-1-1

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)

CEAP helps households pay for primary heating bills. If your primary heating costs is included in your rent, you may also apply for CEAP.

Visit the website at www.ct.gov/staywarm for more information call: 1800-842-1132 or dial 2-1-1

Food Banks

Food share and the Connecticut Food bank provide safe and nutritious food to food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters throughout Connecticut.  To find a pantry near you dial 2-1-1.

 Women Infants & Children (WIC)

                      

Women infants and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental food program that provides nutritious foods, milk , juice, formula and other items to low-income pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants and children up to age 5.

 To get more information visit the Dept. of Public health website at www.ct.gov/dph

Or call 1-800-741-2142

School Breakfast & School Lunch Programs

These programs provide nutritionally balanced meals to school children for free or at a small cost. Families may apply for the programs by submitting a Household Income Application which is provided by the school.

The school is then responsible for certifying the student for free, reduced-price, or paid meals. If you are currently receiving Temporary Family Assistance cash or SNAP from the Department of Social Services,your children are automatically eligible for free meals.

Contact your child’s school for more information or visit the website at www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

Family Planning and Pregnancy Prevention

For information about family planning call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN, the Connecticut Department of Public Health at 860-509-8000 or dial 2-1-1.

You can also visit the University of Connecticut ten pregnancy prevention website at: www.teenpregnancu-ct.org

Fatherhood Initiative

The John S. Martinez Fatherhood Imitative of Connecticut is a broad based, statewide program led by the Department of Social Services that is focused on changing the systems that can improve fathers’ ability to be fully and positively involved in

the lives of their children. The goal of the initiative is to empower fathers to teach, love and inspire their children through positive parental involvement and interaction. For more information on programs in your area, visit the website; www.fatherhoodinitiative.state.ct.us

Free tax preparation Services

 The volunteer income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites provide free tax preparation services for people whose income is less than $40,000 a year from January 15 through April 15. For more information about the VITA sites dial 2-1-1

Legal Assistance

For information call 1-800-453-3320 or visit their website at www.slsct.org

“I am committed to making Hartford one of America’s best capital cities. To accomplish this goal, all of our neighborhoods must be vital and healthy.” Pedro E. Segarra, Hartford Mayor









Martha Hood PhD povertyinaflowerpot.blogspot.com

Whose Job is it ?

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. 

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. 

Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. 

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. 

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. 

Everybody thought Anybody would do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. 

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

Author unknown

The North Hartford Promise Zone

Lead Organization: Hartford, Mayor’s Office

Population: 23,950 

Poverty Rate: 49.35% 

Unemployment Rate: 27.44% 

The North Hartford Promise Zone (NHPZ) encompasses 3.11 square miles and includes the neighborhoods of Clay Arsenal, Northeast, and Upper Albany. The NHPZ has alarmingly high rates of unemployment, violent crime, and food insecurity. In addition, the area is marked with several blighted commercial and industrial sites. It is also one of the poorest in the country.

The zone’s average per capita income is $12,099 and only 38.3% of residents have a high school degree. The North Hartford Promise Zone’s sharp socio-economic decline began after WWII with the construction of Interstate 84 which effectively divided the City in half and isolated the NHPZ from the economic activity of the downtown. Under the executive leadership of the Hartford Mayor, the City is working in partnership with business, foundations, municipal and regional planning organizations, and the City’s own resources to advance neighborhood revitalization and create a safe prosperous future for residents.

As part of these ongoing efforts, the North Hartford Promise Zone identified the following six goals to improve the quality of life and accelerate revitalization.

• Create Jobs 
• Increase Economic Activity 
• Reduce Serious And Violent Crime
• Improve Educational Opportunities 
• Improve Health and Wellness 
• Improve Home Ownership And Rental Housing Assistance

Key Partners: 
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut; Capital Workforce Partners; Community Solutions; Greater Hartford YMCA; Hartford Housing Authority; CT Center for Advanced Technology; Village for Children and Families; Hartford Police Department; Health and Human Services Department; Hartford Department of Development Services: Housing Division and Economic Development Division; Metro Hartford Information Services (MHIS)



“I am committed to making Hartford one of America’s best capital cities. To accomplish this goal, all of our neighborhoods must be vital and healthy.”
Pedro E. Segarra, Hartford Mayor

Martha Hood PhD povertyinapot.blogspot.com

Public Safety Tips

Serial Killer in Connecticut

 

Date and Acquaintance Rape

If someone you are dating or involved with forces you to have sex, it is usually called date rape. If someone you know but are not dating forces you to have sex, it is called acquaintance rape.

You can be raped by someone you know well. You can even be raped by someone you have been dating for a long time.

Force is not always physical

v When people think about force and rape, they often picture someone using a knife or gun. Or, they think about one person overpowering the other person.

v But there are other kinds of force. Here are some examples:

v Threatening to hurt the person

v Getting someone drunk or high so that she or he will not be able to say no.

v Making it seem like something worse will happen if she or he doesn’t give in. 

v Not listening when at the person says no.

v Threatening to hurt the person’s reputation unless she or he gives in.

v Saying things like, “ if you don’t, I’ll hurt myself”

Everyone has the right to say no!!!

v Even if you have been making out.

v Even if you are drunk or high.

v Even if you said yes at first and then changed your mind.

v Even if you have been going out for a long time.

v Even if you’ve had sex before.

v Even if your date has spent a lot of money.

v Even if you’re dressed in sexy clothes.

v Even if you agreed to go to a secluded place.

No always means no!

v If someone says no to you, listen and stop.

v “No” never means “yes.” Stop, even if you think the person is playing hard to get. If you don’t it could be rape,

v Pay attention to bossy language too. A younger, less experienced or frightened person may not know how to say no clearly.

v If a person believes that she or he will be hurt worse by saying no, she or he might give in for protection. This can still be rape.

When does yeas mean yes?

v Ask yourself:

v Do we both want to have sex?

v Have is said yes clearly and have I heard my partner say yes clearly?

v If the person is unsure or has not said yes clearly, stop. It may not be something you both want.

How to protect yourself?

v Trust your instincts, if you are unsure of a situation or person, you may not be safe.

v Don’t leave a drink unattended or accept a drink from an open container. Date rape drugs can be slipped into open drinks.

v If someone is pushing you to have sex when you don’t want to, say no clearly.

v If the person is not listening, get away fast as you can. If you can, call for help.

v Do whatever you need to do to keep safe. That may be yelling for help, fighting back, or giving in to avoid physical injury.

v Of you are not sure how to say no, ask a friend or family member to help you practice.

v Taking a self- defense class may help you learn to say no and to protect yourself.

v If someone doesn’t listen to you, it is not your fault. If you are raped, it is not your
fault.

Martha Hood PhD

Community Development Block Grant

PUBLIC NOTICE

The “Community Development Block Grant” was enacted in 1974 under the Housing and Community Development Act and is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. Now in its 40th anniversary, CDGB continues to provide local governments with funding to address a wide range of unique community development needs, principally for low and moderate – income persons. Tell us what priorities the City Of Hartford failed to address in your neighborhood.

The Year Four Annual Action Plan identifies community development priority needs, objectives and activities that will continue to promote a city of growth and opportunity with an emphasis on creating a suitable living environment, providing decent affordable housing, and creating economic opportunities for Hartford’s low and moderate income residents.

If we look at allocations you will see that nothing is being allocated to the North End of Hartford.

 Who will help to?

·        Provide decent, safe and sanitary housing in North Hartford

Who will help to?

·        Provide  a suitable living environment in North Hartford

Who will help to?

·        Expand economic opportunities in North Hartford

The City of Hartford will submit its Four Year annual action plan to the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development (HUD) on or around June 30, 2014.

If you take a look at the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) you will see that North Hartford has yet to receive any help or services. The 5^th district is one of the poorest districts in the City of Hartford, yet, no one has set any precedence to help promote growth or opportunity.

Join your friends and neighbors to hold a community conversation about how the City of Hartford created contagious housing for the last 40 years in the North end of Hartford.   

 If The CDBG program works to ensure:

●Decent, affordable housing- providing a suitable living environment

o   Housing rehabilitation loans

o   Free repairs for the elderly and disabled

o   Acquisition of land for housing development

●Provide services to the most vulnerable members of our communities

o   Youth Programming –after school, activities during school vacations

o   Social Services – court representation for abused or neglected children, assistance for those coming out of prison, meals for seniors, truancy court prevention

o   Skills/job training – workplace skills training , literacy, basic education for immigrant groups

o   Housing counseling – first time home buyers , landlord-tenant issues

●Expand economic opportunities by creating jobs through expansion and retention of businesses

o   Small business technical assistance , counseling , training and loans

o   Grants for business development in the creative economy

Summary of HUD –Funded programs

Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS Program (HOPWA)

HOPWA 2013-14 Allocation from Federal Government to City of Hartford- $1.08 million

 The only Federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Under the HOPWA program, HUD through the City of Hartford award grants to local non-profit organizations for projects that benefit low-income person medically diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

ESG 2013-2014 Allocation from Federal Government to City of Hartford - $ 286,000

Program assists individuals and families quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. City funds are used for supporting Emergency Shelter operations and services for the residents; and homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing assistance.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

HOME 2013-2014 Allocation from Federal Government to City of Hartford- $ 1.54 million.

HOME is the largest Federal block grant to State and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low income households.




Martha Hood PhD