Community Services and Employment Training (CSET) assistance program
CSET, which is also called CSET, which is also called Community Services and Employment Training, provides many resources to families living in or near poverty. There is financial aid from resources such as the Emergency Food and Shelter Program as well as weatherization, support for seniors, and much more. A comprehensive listing of their Community Action Agency services is below.
Financial help from Tulare County Community Action Agency
The Family Crisis Team is focused on both financial challenges as well as people that live in underprivileged communities. The non-profit tries to offers an array of services as well as financial support to assist these families as they work toward stabilization.
Emergency Food and shelter (as well as emergency housing assistance) is for tenants, homeowners, and the homeless who are faced with housing or food related emergencies situations. Community Services and Employment Training offers financial assistance with rent payments, water or utility bills, first month's rent, and mortgage expenses to those who meet eligibility requirements. This is federal funded, and any financial aid is one-time only. In some cases CSET will offer more long term support for people in an extreme hardship. Or find a list of free California food pantries for low income families.
CSET also works with Community of Cutler Orosi and the Weed and Seed Program on the Family Triage Program. It will help families as well as youth in Tulare County by providing guidance as they make decisions that have long-lasting impact on their lives. The resource will coordinate Social services, assessment, Financial counseling, Workforce development, as well as Mentorship for youth.
IRS' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) – This is government funded. CSET uses grants to provides free tax return preparation and electronic filing (defiling) to low and moderate-income taxpayers as well as senior citizens. In an effort to offer this service each year, CSET has partnered with the County of Tulare, the IRS, and local non-profits in recruiting and training a dedicated team of volunteer tax prepare. In addition to that, VITA sponsors include Best Buy Electronic Store, AT&T, Bank of the West, PG&E, the Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District as well as Bank of the Sierra.
For those that are not aware, Efiling of state of California or federal taxes makes it possible for the client to receive refunds in as little as ten business days with direct deposit. To be eligible for the free VIT program, household yearly income must fall below $80,000.
Help for seniors from CSET
Community Services and Employment Training has several Senior Centers as well. They are based in Earlimart, Exeter, Goshen, Cutler, Lindsay, Woodlake and Porterville California. The non-profit locations serve older adults aged 60 and older.
The centers provide the elderly and their spouses with the opportunity to socialize with peers. They are also given free food, the ability to enjoy nutritious meals, and participate in special programs, take classes, or play games together. There is also information on financial aid programs for paying medical bills, disability equipment, applications to (Health Insurance Counseling (HICAP) (dial 559-623-0199)) and the like.
In addition to onsite congregate meals, the CSET senior cent also offers home-delivered meals to ensure that seniors who are homebound and unable to prepare food due to infirmity, illness or recent hospitalization have access to adequate nutrition. Meals on Wheels as part of this program are available to homebound seniors and their spouses who live anywhere within Tulare County.
Energy and weatherization programs from Community Services and Employment Training Community Action
CSET Home Weatherization Services are available to clients in partnership with Sequoia Community Corps. The energy bill savings program is for people who meet income guidelines and receive a priority designation. Applicants are required to submit their most recent gas, electric or propane bill; the applicant's Social Security Card; and also proof of income for the last four weeks for all household members.
All of the weatherization work is supervised by CSET’s certified on-staff contractors, so the community action agency program benefits not only clients, but also the local job market. As people that are employed as part of the program will receive on the job training and develop useful skills.
The contractors will offer the following home updates. There is free weather stripping exterior doors; installation of Water heater blankets as well as Water restrictors; Furnace repair or replacement; Low-flow shower-heads for saving on water bills; and Switch and outlet gaskets. There may also be Gas appliance repair or replacement, including free air conditioners provided.
Many home buyer programs in Tulare county require participants to attend a home-buyer class to be become prepared and meet eligibility requirements for any form of financial assistance. While buying a home is a huge responsibility to anyone (no matter their income or savings level) it's also a huge opportunity.
To help throughout this process, CSET's free First-Time Homebuyer Education class provides all of the information needed. Participants go over preparation, and knowledge required for getting the most out of the various loan and homebuyer programs that are available. Workshops cover home selection, realtor services, lenders, home loan assistance programs, California homeownership assistance program responsibilities, saving for a down payment, and other vital topics. There are also referrals for housing, transportation, and basic needs.
CSET employment and educational services in Tulare County
Education as well as a decent paying job is one of many pathways out of poverty in the Central Valley California. The focus of the CSET Families Improving Education Initiative is to prepare parents as well as the underemployed. The toll is used to help clients engage in and actively support their children and the schools in order to ensure that students are successful in school and in their future endeavors.
The Community Services and Employment Training Initiative offers support in many ways. There will be free workshops and hands-on opportunities that provide parents with the knowledge as well as job skills needed to work in partnership with the schools. The end result is the ability to create positive change through planning a community campaign to educate other parents and students.
CSET's Welfare-to-Work Program provides information on public aid in California, social services and other support to help Cash Aid Welfare recipients. The client of the non-profit will get support as they find and maintain stable employment. This will help them achieve the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency.
The process begins with an intensive week of job-readiness training, during which career coaches and job developers work with participants. Together they will learn how to create resumes or cover letters, improve interview skills, use the internet for job searches, learn about proper behavior in work settings, and much more. The remainder of the program is spent further ensuring job readiness, eliminating barriers to employment and looking for work. CSET staff members are available to provide assistance throughout.
Community Services and Employment Training and their Connection Program is part of the America’s Job Center of California. There are locations operating in Tulare, Visalia and Porterville. These various Employment Connection Centers offer job development, short-term vocational training, career coaching, and job-readiness workshops. There are also details on everything from smartphone apps for taking best online surveys to online juror jobs, side gigs, and other employment opportunities in Tulare County.
CSET staff and volunteers assist Tulare County job-seekers in their efforts to find employment. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request as well, such as work clothes or gas vouchers for an interview. Business owners are invited to reach out information about services that are available for businesses through the Employment Connection, as they may found a well qualified job-seeker.
The individualized services available through the CSET Employment Connection include, but are not limited to, the following. Everything is done using the development of step-by-step plans for achieving individual goals. The On-Site Services include Unemployment insurance information, tips on interview/first impression workshops, tips to Create professional resumes and post online, and support to Retrain for a new career.
Computer lab/computer training is also arranged. Clients can learn a new computer language. There are also Typing speed tests, part time opportunities for Work experience for long term unemployed, Business writing classes, and also the ability to access Occupational skills and On–the-job training. Much of the training is also on Microsoft office applications.
Contact information for CSET Community Action Agency
Community Services and Employment Training (CSET) is based at 312 NW 3rd Ave., Visalia, California 93291. For information, dial 559-732-4194.
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