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1801 Smith Street (800) 654-9421 Fax: (574) 722-3447 |
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Aging & Community Services
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Individual Development
Account Looking for Ways to Increase Your Savings Potential and Assets
Family Development Program The Family Development Program (FDP) in Cass County gives families budget counseling and focused discussions on energy conservation, which helps to lower bill payments due to lower usage. The Family Development also touches on current housing, income, education, family relations, employment transportation, health, nutrition, and if necessary, substance use. As you can see, there is a broad range of topics covered by the Family Development Program.
Energy Assistance Program The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help income eligible families and/or individuals who are 60 years of age or older or who are disabled and/or are in a crisis situation of having their heat disconnected. EAP is offered through the cold winter months to individuals and families living in Cass, Howard, Miami, Tipton, and Wabash counties. The Energy Education component was added in 2002 in an effort to educate clients with simple low-cost, no-cost methods of reducing energy consumption. The Energy Assistance Program may also include two summer programs if funding is available: · Summer Fill Program The Summer Fill Program is offered June 1 through September 30 to income-eligible clients who heat with bulk fuel such as LP gas or oil. Summer Fill funds purchase the bulk fuel during summer months at a reduced rate and then fills clients' tanks to help with heating the following winter. · Cooling Program Area Five's Cooling Program is offered June 1 through the end of September (or until all funds are used). The program provides cool relief in the hot summer months to all interested income eligible households by giving away box fans.
Covering Kids and Families Covering Kids and Families is a National Health Access Initiative for low-income, uninsured children. Area Five's Logansport office was one of the pilot sites in the state of Indiana working under a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to enroll eligible children in the Hoosier Healthwise Program. Cass County began offering this service in October 1999; the program was expanded to include Fulton County in 2002. Area Five Agency partners with local health centers, hospitals, and Division of Family Resources in Cass and Fulton counties, providing an additional access point for Hoosier Healthwise outreach and enrollment activities within the communities we serve.
The Women, Infants, and Children Program is a special supplemental food and nutrition program offered to income eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, postpartum non-breastfeeding mothers, infants, and children up to five years of age. WIC participants receive checks, which can be redeemed for specified nutritious foods at participating grocery stores, as well as nutrition education, nutrition counseling, and referral to other health and social services. Area Five is currently offering WIC in Miami and Wabash Counties.
CSBG Sub-Grantees Area Five sub-contracts with several agencies in Cass, Wabash, and Howard counties to provide service to low-income households in need of transportation and in some extreme cases shelter. Money Management Program The Money Management Program is new to Area Five, sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons and the Family and Social Services Administration. The program offers help for limited income elderly and limited income persons who need assistance managing their money. The Program is run with the help of volunteers who take one of the following two roles. Bill Payer Volunteers provide budget setup, checkbook balancing, and bill paying services for persons who are in control of their finances, but need some help to keep things in order. Representative Payee Volunteers manage a government benefit, usually a Social Security check, for clients who have been determined to be incapable of handling their own funds. The benefits are deposited into a special account from which clients' expenses for basic needs are paid. Senior Nutrition Program Area Five operates 13 congregate meal sites and provides home-delivered meals in each of our six counties. In July 2002, Area Five opened the doors to a commercial kitchen facility. Meals are prepared and delivered to all seniors meal sites and Head Start classes. Caregiver Program This is a new program for caregivers age 60 and over, for caregivers of persons age 60 and over, and for grandparents raising grandchildren. Case management services are available for assessing needs of the caregivers and arranging for in-home services. Respite services are also available, as well as, support groups and written materials to assist caregivers. Ombudsman Program Ombudsman is a Swedish word meaning "citizen's representative." A Long-Term Care Ombudsman serves as an advocate who seeks to resolve complaints made by or on behalf of people who are consumers of long-term care services. The Area Five Agency Ombudsman has been caring for residents of long-term care facilities over the years by informing the residents, their relatives and friends of their rights such as knowledge of financial charges at the facility, planning resident's care and treatment, rights to privacy and confidentiality, rights to freedom from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and the right to express grievances without fear of retaliation. Case Management Case Mangers complete a detailed assessment of each client creating a care plan that includes the individual's medical condition, physical disabilities, and financial situation. The Case Manager coordinates services with the provider chosen by the client, monitors the services and reassesses each client's needs at regular intervals. Working with the client and the providers, Area Five makes it possible for individuals to remain in their own homes as long as possible and assists them in maintaining their dignity and independence. Oftentimes home modifications such as wheelchair ramps are installed. Pre-Admission Screening Area Five Case Managers provide an independent evaluation to identify the level of care an individual needs. This evaluation is called a Pre-Admission Screening (PAS). It does not mandate a person to enter a long-term care facility; it simply determines if the person needs the level of care offered by a facility. This screening allows the individual and his/her family to make a more informed decision about placement. Information and Referral Area Five's enhanced Information and Referral Program (I & R) offers a local contact in each county, along with an area-wide service through a toll-free number. Callers and visitors may obtain information about services provided by Area Five, as well as receive information about services offered by other agencies. For details about specific programs and/or services, e-mail info@areafive.com. Legal Assistance for Seniors Older adults age 60 and over can get legal assistance through two Area Five funded programs. One is through referral to Legal Services Corporation of Northern Indiana, which receives Area Five funding for their Older Adult Impact Project. The other is the Legal Inquiry Program (LIP). The purpose of this program is to explain the law and give guidance in solving legal problems. Assistance in answering legal questions dealing with issues such as housing, consumer issues, employment, personal decision making, wills and probate, guardianships and family concerns can be obtained through the LIP legal counselor. Senior Games Area Five Senior Games are 23 years strong! The games were sponsored corporately by Area Five, Consolidated Union, and Keslings Home Health Care. Events ranged from Nutrition Bingo & Euchre to Basketball Spot Shots and Mini Golf. Winners of each event received Olympic-style medals and wore them proudly all three days. Participants received t-shirts, tote bags, and free admission to the Victory Banquet, which featured a catered lunch and Keynote Speaker, Indiana Fever's Stephanie McCarty. Contact For more information on any of these programs, please contact Ellen Zimmerman, Director of Aging and Community Services, at ACS@areafive.com .
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Copyright Area Five Agency on Aging and Community Services. |
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