Concerted Services - Action Pact assistance programs.
Families that are struggling can turn to Concerted Services, Inc. for assistance, including referrals, possible financial aid, and self-sufficiency. The non-profit community action agency, which also goes by the name Action Pact, is part of the state of Georgia and national community action agency network. Several resources are available for the less fortunate.
Anyone who seeks help needs to have a plan in place to gain stability. They also need to execute on it. Financial assistance for any need is very limited and the non-profit provides referrals, short term crisis support, and similar resources. When possible, food, home delivered meals, rental assistance, and job training may be administered. They do not provide a hand out.
Emergency assistance is available in partnership with state of Georgia, federal government and local government entities. Concerted Services works with churches, public and private service providers, and other religious organizations to meet emergency needs.
Some of the financial aid provided in a crisis includes shelter or rent help, food, utility assistance, medical assistance, transportation, clothing, and other basic needs. All the locations and counties have limited resources and specific variations on what is offered.
Seniors, the disabled, and homebound can get their nutritional needs met by the community action agency. Home delivered meals is a service that provides permanent or temporary homebound elderly persons with at least one-third of their daily nutritional requirements. Volunteers and staff will deliver a free hot, nutritious meal to the elderly and less fortunate in their own home. In some counties frozen meals are also available to clients for a holiday, night, or weekend meal. Home delivered meals may be provided only to the disabled, persons age 60 or older, or those with a serious medical condition.
The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services, private donations and The United Way are key partners in the Meals on Wheels program. This is available in the regions and counties of Appling, Bulloch , Candler, Evans, Jeff Davis, Tattnall, Toombs, and Wayne. Phone 1-888-367-9913.
Congregate meals are served across the region. These will be for senior citizens that are 60 or older, their spouses, and the elderly. In some counties the program may also facilitate transportation, home management, information sessions, referral services, housing assistance, telephone reassurance, nutrition education, individual diet counseling, recreational activities, shopping assistance, and field trips. These low cost food items and meals are available from Concerted Services, Inc. and their partner agencies in Appling, Candler, Evans, Jeff Davis, Tattnall, Toombs, and Wayne County Georgia. Key funding and resources are provided by the Coastal Georgia Area Agency on Aging.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is funded by the federal government. It helps low-income households with paying for their home heating costs. There is a once per year application process and aid is only offered on a first come and served basis. The main number is (877) 247-6756.
Concerted Services, Inc. also believes in offering Case Management Services and in fact they may be required in cases in which people request financial aid. This is targeted at addressing those issues that are keeping people from gaining self-sufficiency.
Participants will go through a one-on-one session with a case manager to identify problem areas, get advice and importantly develop a plan of action to address any concerns. A major goal is to break the cycle of generational poverty in the region and family. A similar service known as Project SOAR is also made available.
Food pantries are operated by Concerted Services, Inc., often in partnership with other charities, churches, and aid organizations. Support for the local food banks is provided from many sources, including donations, fund raisers, the United Way, civic organizations, local governments, individuals, and private businesses. The pantries are located at the following. Or call for referrals to other sites.
- Brantley County, 789 Burton St, Suite 100, Nahunta, GA 31553, call 912-462-5163
- Clinch County, 427 W. Dame Ave., Suite A, Homerville, GA 31634, 912-487-2445
- Coffee County, 1115 W. Baker Hwy., Douglas, GA 31533, main phone 912-384-3700
- Long County, 15 Thornton Dr., Ludowici, Ga. 31316, dial 912-545-2435
- Ware County, 960-C, City Blvd. Waycross, Georgia 31501. Call 912-283-8634
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program gives free income tax assistance to low- to moderate-income households. It is made available by Waycross Weed and Seed and Valdosta’s CASH Prosperity, Concerted Services, Inc. (CSI) and also the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Local, highly trained volunteers assist individuals and households by giving them free electronic filing and preparation of basic tax returns.
The FDIC’s Money Smart Program is for low and moderate-income individuals. It coordinates financial education curriculum and will help clients enhance their financial skills and it will create positive banking relationships in the community. Concerted Services oversees the Money Smart Classes within the service area and it runs during the course of the year.
Head Start addresses a number of needs for children under the age of five as well as their parents. The overall goal is to increase the school readiness of young children from low-income and working poor families. The program operates from centers in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Candler, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis, Pierce, Toombs, and Ware Georgia. The main components of it are below.
- Educational services are provided to children.
- Basic health care is offered for children that are in Head Start. Concerted Services will ensure children receive immunizations, care screenings. and examinations for development. Other care includes speech, language, hearing, vision, and dental health.
- Nutrition, including free meals and snacks enhance the children’s ability to concentrate and learn. Free breakfast, lunch and snacks may be offered.
- Transportation to a Head Start center is coordinated too in some counties and towns.
- Parents may benefit from social services and other Family Services. They can get referrals to community resources.
Free energy related repairs and improvements may be offered from Weatherization. It will help make income qualified residents have a more energy efficient home to live in and save money on their utility bills. Homes in Georgia that have been weatherized will require less energy to cool and heat, which results in lower utility bills and a safer standard of living for families.
Contact information for assistance
Concerted Services, Inc. (Action Pact) offices are available in most counties. The main customer service number for information on assistance programs is (912) 285-6083. They have a location that people can call or stop by at. However some locations may share the same office.
A shared office for Johnson, Treutlen, Laurens, Bleckley, Dodge, Wilcox, Telfair, Wheeler, and Emanuel County, 305 South Richardson Street, Mt. Vernon, Georgia 30445, dial toll free 800-399-1302 or (912) 583-3900
Atkinson County, 636 Austin Avenue East, Suite 2, Pearson, GA 31642, main phone (912) 422-3884
Brantley County Service Center, 789 BurtonStreet, Suite 100, Nahunta, GA 31553, main phone (912) 462-5163
Bulloch County Service Center, 235 Granade St, Statesboro, GA 30458, telephone (912) 489-1604
Candler County Service Center/Senior Citizen Center/NORC Center, 430 North Rountree Street, Metter, GA 30439, phone (912) 685-2580
Charlton County Service Center, 1516 Third Street, Suite A, Folkston, GA 31537. Phone number is (912) 496-2045
Clinch County, address is 101 S College St, Homerville, GA 31634. Main phone is (912) 487-2445
Coffee County Service Center, 1115 West Baker Highway, Douglas, GA 3153. Call (912) 384-3700
Effingham County Service Center, 304 Highway 119 South, Springfield, GA 31329, call (912) 754-6910
Evans County Service Center/Senior Citizen Center, 158 Rec Dept Rd, Claxton, GA 30417 call (912) 739-1705
Jeff Davis County Service Center/Senior Citizen Center, 42 Jeff Davis Street, Hazlehurst , Georgia 31539, main phone (912) 375-2357 or (912) 375-3603
Long County Directory, 15 Thornton Drive, Ludowici, GA 31316, dial (912) 545-2435 for intake.
Tattnall County, 111 Medical Arts Drive, Reidsville, GA 30453, telephone: (912) 557-6687
Toombs County Service Center/Senior Citizen Center, 107 Old Airport Road, Vidalia , GA 30474. Call (912) 537-0453
Ware County, 2100 Riverside Avenue, Waycross, GA 31501, dial (912) 285-6083
Wayne County Service Center/Senior Citizen Center, 409 South Third Street, Jesup, Georgia 31545
|
