TVCCA’s Community Services Department addresses barriers to economic stability, safety, health, and wellbeing by providing resources that can eliminate crises and stabilize households, allowing people to pursue their personal and economic goals.
Many people see our Community Services program as the “first stop” in getting the assistance they need. Figuring out what benefits are available to you and your family, and which ones you’re eligible for, can be confusing, scary, and disheartening. TVCCA’s Navigators are here to answer all your questions and help you get the support you need in order to pursue your personal and financial goals.
After a complete assessment that determines which programs would be the right fit for you, and which you are eligible for, we make a referral to one or more of these TVCCA programs:
Other State Assistance Benefits
Connecticut’s HSI (Human Services Infrastructure) initiative ensures the support coordination of a wide range of partners, including the Department of Social Services (DSS), Community Action Agencies like TVCCA, the 2-1-1-infoline, municipalities, and other state agencies.
Our Community Services Navigators use this model to help you prepare and apply for various state and federal benefits including CT DSS programs such as SNAP benefits, Husky health insurance, and cash benefits.
Community Health Workers
Many of our Navigators are certified Community Health Workers (CHWs), who’ve received specific training in helping people access a variety of health and social services, often bridging gaps for the most vulnerable and underserved people in our region. They assist with navigating the healthcare system, and help people overcome social barriers like housing and transportation that affect health outcomes.
Community Resources
If there is a support or service that TVCCA doesn’t provide—do not worry; we can assist with referrals to our many community partners throughout the region who specialize in specific supports, such as healthcare, food pantries, housing, mental health and addiction supports, domestic violence prevention/shelters, etc.
Our Community Partners include:
- Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA)
- Eastern CT Transportation Consortium (ECTC)
- Always Home – Housing and Transportation
- Habitat for Humanity
- ECHO (Eastern CT Housing Opportunities)
- Catholic Charities
- Senior Resources
- Area Senior Centers and Town Social Services Departments
- United Way and Area Food Banks
Additional Supports
Community Services provides comprehensive case management, meaning that we keep track of and monitor the services you receive through us and through the referrals we make to other agencies, to ensure a coordinated and holistic experience. We focus primarily on basic needs (food accessibility, housing, transportation, health, and financial well-being), and create support plans and goals that outline strengths as well as specific barriers to self-sufficiency, which we can address.
Typically, our Case Management program requires a three-month time commitment, but we provide ongoing assessments and will work with participants beyond three months when needed or requested.
The program’s Emergency Support Fund addresses financial emergencies – situations which, unless promptly resolved, will threaten a household’s stability and adversely impact its economic security. The purpose of this fund is to furnish just enough assistance at just the right time to help clients regain their momentum and continue progressing toward greater levels of self-sufficiency and economic independence.
The Fund complements TVCCA’s delivery of essential services by providing a way for our team to intervene early, before a financial emergency cascades into a full-blown crisis.
“I am deeply grateful for TVCCA and the consistent support they have provided to my family and me since I moved to this town. After relocating due to domestic violence, TVCCA truly surrounded my family with care, stability, and encouragement. From day one, my case manager has treated me with patience, compassion, and respect, even during the most difficult moments.
TVCCA’s help with rental and energy assistance has helped my family stay in our home. During a particularly challenging time, they also helped my children at Christmas and ensured I could get to work by arranging transportation through ECTC [Eastern CT Transportation Consortium].
Their support has made a lasting difference in our lives, and I will always be thankful.”
–KF