Broward County Community Action Agency assistance programs.
Often partnering with local non-profits, the Broward County Community Action Agency does its best to meet the needs of the less fortunate. Programs are targeted at seniors or the disabled in the county. The case managers from the Success Centers and other location can direct qualified clients to a host of assistance programs for both basic needs and long term self-sufficiency.
Housing, rent, mortgage, and utility programs from Broward Community Action
Rental counseling and mortgage foreclosure prevention from Broward County Community Action Agency (CAA) is available. The non-profit provides assistance to eligible low-income clients with their personal housing needs through this countywide Housing Program. All persons having financial issues or facing imminent homelessness can call the Community Developer Office in their part of the County for more information. Clients can get information on emergency funds for rent, landlord mediation, and loan type programs for housing needs.
Home Rehabilitation Assistance offers help in the form of a low interest loan to eligible low-income clients whose homes are older and in need of improvement. Eligible homeowners, including the disabled or seniors, have an opportunity to rehabilitate their homes through the Owner-occupied Home Rehabilitation Programs. The objective is to provide services that will make homes safe and energy efficient.
Financial assistance for paying energy bills from the federal and state of Florida LIHEAP is for low-income clients. The community action agency can help people with paying their utility bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
Funded by federal and most state governments, the program ensures that people in need are not left in the cold or summer time heat. For this reason, eligible households are entitled to LIHEAP payments for heating and utility bills that are directed to FPL or other natural gas companies. In order to apply for the aid, clients need to call, meet income thresholds and start the application process.
The agency also administers Care to Share funds from FPL, which are used to supplement LIHEAP funding when these government grant resources have been exhausted. Households that have a crisis situation and have created a plan for achieving self-sufficiency are eligible for the Care to Share assistance.
Referrals to pantries in Fort Lauderdale and other towns is available. This is a form of food assistance which is available from the Broward County Community Action Agency. The center offers emergency food and nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families, including seniors. The aid is available through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Elderly people are also eligible to apply for this federally-funded food assistance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture runs this with States. Together they provide commodity food boxes for the program’s clients. State agencies receive and supervise overall distribution of the resources to local agencies.
Homelessness Prevention Programs can address any number of issues. Broward County not for profit Community Action Agency provides financial assistance to low-income families who have housing issues through a serious of Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Programs or referrals to them.
Clients who are being evicted, are currently homeless or who lose their rental housing due to a temporary financial problem are eligible clients for the services of these programs. All applicants need to document their status to prove eligibility. In addition to temporary financial assistance for paying expenses such as rent, the Homelessness Prevention Programs also offer budget counseling to enrolled applicants. The goal is to prevent future recurrence of homelessness. For those that need an affordable home to move into, explore security deposit programs and low income transitional housing in the county.
Retirees and senior citizens in Broward County can get support from the community action agency. The non-profit and its partners help older residents of the county in many ways. They offer everything from referrals to Meals on Wheels delivery services to applications to Medicare, prescription drug programs, and even recreational activities. Caring for and supporting the older population in Borward County is always a priority.
The Nutritional Supplement Program is for residents, including the elderly, who need liquid nutritional products due to health problems. They can apply for this assistance, which is coordinated by U.S. Department of Agriculture. Elderly clients over 60 need to document their health condition provided by their physicians. A limited number of subsidies are available for those under 60.
Family Success Centers in the towns and cities in the county provide social services information, referrals and services to clients in need. The services for individuals and families help them in applying for public aid, learning skills, and accessing the services they need.
The centers help people build a stronger, healthier and self-sufficient family unit. They also offer various emergency assistance programs and services for eligible clients in order to make their lives easier. The staff offers help with intake and assessment of the clients. Case management is also available and rent assistance in in high demand and may be offered. In addition, the Centers provide utility assistance too. In addition, information and referrals are provided for:
- Credit, Debt Reduction and Budget Counseling
- Job Training, Search in Florida and Employment
- Family Support Services
- Housing Counseling and Homeless Prevention
- Free Legal Aid Services
- Elderly and Veterans Services
- Subsidized Day and Affordable Child Care. There are many free daycare assistance programs in Florida for lower income parents.
- Additional Children’s Services, such as Summer Snacks
- Health Care Services / Medicare
Families in need of temporary subsidized rental assistance can apply for the Housing First program. It offers intensive case management to enrolled applicants. Case managers also promote saving in order to help them achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability. The purpose of the program is help income qualified clients develop skills related to budgeting and life management.
Education and job search assistance
Employment and Job Readiness workshops provide clients with necessary skills in order to prepare them for successful employment in a career. These Broward County workshops function under the WIA workforce development program.
Services provided in the state of Florida and region include improving and preparing a competitive resume. Or individuals can get help with learning to properly apply and interview for a new job. All workshop attendants will receive an updated copy of their resumes so they can use it in their search. Find more information on the best job interview tips.
Employment sessions will usually last multiple days or even weeks. At the end of them, all participants will enhance their skills for preparing for a job interview and by seeing various video modules. Additionally, Broward County Community Action Agency’s specialists help attendants with practice and a various mock interviews during the workshop sessions.
All qualified attendants of services such as above who successfully complete the training classes or workshops are automatically referred to the Job Placement program.
For those that qualify, the program offers face-to-face counseling session with the help of an employment specialist. Attendants have an opportunity to enroll in club or workshops to begin their search. Every week, the employment placement program’s staff gathers and publishes information on job offerings from local employers in the training center. The goal is to help Broward County residents find and maintain employment.
The services of this Broward County Community Action Agency program are available to all clients who are unemployed and/or looking for a new job. However, applicants need to complete an application and meet with a family development specialist who will conduct an assessment of each applicant. Enrollment in job readiness first is recommended. All people who come to the agency have free access to classroom computers for their search on Internet sites or other locations.
Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for three and four year old children in Broward County Florida and their families who meet income requirements. Social services provided to children, as well as their parents, are designed to enhance their mental, educational, emotional and physical skills. Funded by both state of Florida and federal government grants, the Head Start is provided at no cost to families.
The top goal of the Head Start classes is to help children learn skills that will prepare them to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. In addition to education services, the program offers free health, dental and nutrition services to enrolled children. Parents of the student play an important role in their children’s lives and they are supported by the program as the first teachers of their children.
They will also be given free nutritious meals each day they attend class. Additionally, health, dental and developmental screenings are also available. Staff from the schools also provide families with assistance with finding community resources, applying for public aid, information and referrals. The staff offer help in case of an emergency.
Family Development and related Adult Services from the local community Action Agency tends to improve the quality life of low-income residents. The program works to strengthen eligible clients by assessing their needs, setting and achieving their goals, and offering clients with support such as referrals and information. The Family Development Worker helps families achieve self-sufficiency, interdependence within their communities and stronger relationships. Enrolled applicants receive one-on-one assistance from the social worker.
Teachers and staff that partner with the Broward County Community Action Agency provides instruction to adults through the Adult Literacy program. The resource is confidential and tries to meet the needs of every enrolled individual. Following services are offered at a nominal registration fee to participants:
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) includes classroom activities with the teacher and one-on-one tutoring.
- General Equivalency Diploma is for those who are not in high school and it will help them get a diploma.
- ESL - English as a Second Language (ESL) can help immigrants and others with English skills.
- Senior Employment programs - The elderly can get reacquainted with the job market and learn the latest and greatest skills, including in technology or computers.
Locations of the Broward County non-profit Community Action Agencies and centers are as follows.
Annie L. Weaver Health Center and Family Success Center, Address: 2011 N.W. 3rd Ave., Pompano Beach, Florida 33060, call 954-357-5340
The South Region Family Success Center, known as Carver Ranches, is at 4733 S.W. 18th St., Hollywood, FL 33023. Call 954-357-5650
Davie Family Success Center, 4700 Davie Road, Suite B, Davie, FL 33314, 954-797-2054
Edgar P. Mills Multi-Purpose Center is at 900 N.W. 31st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311, telephone 954-357-5001
Northwest Family Success Center, 10077 N.W. 29th St., Coral Springs, FL 33065. For information, dial 954-357-5000
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