Benefi ts Available Who is Eligible Where to go for Assistance PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE IN CONNECTICUT A guide for agencies 2006-2008 Edition Programs That Help People in Connecticut is an overview of federal, state, and local programs that provide assistance to Connecticut residents. The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) verified and updated the information in this booklet and Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) provided the printing and publishing. We thank everyone who supplied information for this 2006-2008 edition. THIS BOOKLET SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE as it contains only brief descriptions of complex programs whose guidelines, eligibility levels, and funding are subject to change. Since this booklet is printed every other year, IT IS IMPORTANT TO CHECK WITH THE ADMINISTERING AGENCY FOR CURRENT INFORMATION. If you think that you or your client may be eligible for any programs described herein, we urge you to apply. For further information on these and other local public and private programs, contact Infoline at 2-1-1, or your municipal Social Service Agency. Many towns have a Youth Service Bureau to help young people and a Municipal Agent on aging to help senior citizens. Many services have income and asset (resources) eligibility guidelines. Generally, income is money available to you from an ongoing source. The definition of assets varies from program to program, but generally includes bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and sometimes a car or a legal interest in a house. You should check with the agency that administers the program for more details. This booklet is divided into sections, each covering assistance for a specific area. Some of the sections contain subheadings for faster reference. The Table of Contents lists all of the subheadings, and the Index in the back of the booklet lists all agencies, programs and some subcategories. After certain program entries, references are given for other sections that might also have information of interest on the subject. NOTE: We would like to hear from you. Please let us know if any services should be added, deleted or revised. Additional copies are available from Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P), or use the order form in the pocket at the back of the booklet. Please direct comments to: Connecticut Association for Human Services Community Relations Department 110 Bartholomew Avenue – Suite 4030 Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) Hartford, Connecticut 06106-2201 P.O. Box 270 Telephone: 860-951-2212 Hartford, CT 06141-0270 Telephone: 1-800-286-5000 or 860-947-2121 The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) is a private, nonprofit organization that works with service providers, public officials, and others to ensure that 1) all children and families have the resources and public policy support to become economically successful, and 2) those who cannot achieve self-sufficiency have access to basic needs. See the Advocacy section in this booklet for a complete description of CAHS. Table of Contents Basic Needs ................................................................................................................................1 Food ...............................................................................................................................1 Housing ..........................................................................................................................3 Energy and Fuel Assistance ...........................................................................................4 Income Assistance..........................................................................................................4 Crisis and Emergency Management .......................................................................................5 Abuse and Neglect — Children, Women, Elders ...................................................................8 Health Care ...............................................................................................................................9 Facilities .........................................................................................................................9 Patient Supports ........................................................................................................... 11 AIDS ............................................................................................................................13 Financial Assistance.....................................................................................................14 Children .......................................................................................................................15 Family Planning and Pregnancy ..................................................................................16 Mental Health ..............................................................................................................17 Disabilities ...............................................................................................................................18 Substance Abuse .....................................................................................................................20 Criminal Justice ......................................................................................................................22 Children, Youth and Families ................................................................................................23 Adoption and Foster Care ............................................................................................23 Early Childhood Development ....................................................................................23 Youth Development .....................................................................................................24 Famly Supports ............................................................................................................24 Elders .....................................................................................................................................27 Veterans ...................................................................................................................................29 Money Management ...............................................................................................................31 Financial Literacy ........................................................................................................31 Free Income Tax Assistance.........................................................................................32 Savings and Assets .......................................................................................................33 Education and Job Training ..................................................................................................33 Transportation ........................................................................................................................35 Homeownership ......................................................................................................................35 Property Tax Relief ......................................................................................................37 Multiservice Agencies .............................................................................................................37 Advocacy and Legal Assistance .............................................................................................40 Civil Law .....................................................................................................................41 Health ...........................................................................................................................41 Children .......................................................................................................................42 Elders ...........................................................................................................................42 Denial of Federal or State Benefits ..............................................................................42 Women .........................................................................................................................43 Disabilities ...................................................................................................................43 Housing ........................................................................................................................43 Civil Rights ..................................................................................................................44 End of Life ...................................................................................................................44 Resources for Service Providers ............................................................................................44 Index .....................................................................................................................................46 2-1-1 Infoline 2-1-1 is the statewide information, referral, and crisis intervention service. It is a public/private partnership between the State of Connecticut and the United Way of Connecticut. 2-1-1 specialists are backed by community representatives and an extensive computerized database of human services. They provide up-to-date in- formation about agencies and programs; make referrals to appropriate community resources; and intervene in crises, including suicide prevention. Extensive infor-