Assistance programs from Fresno County Community Action Agency.
Low income, unemployed, and struggling residents in Fresno California can turn to the local community action agency for help. There may be government grant money to pay the bills, day or child care vouchers, free or low cost health and medical care (including for the uninsured in Fresno) and other aid.
The organization is part of the nationwide network. The Fresno County Community Action Agency, its staff and volunteers work to help people improve their economic situation and/or exit poverty. They can coordinate local and government resources for the low income among other benefits as well.
Examples of what may be provided is below, however the agency will do what it can to fulfill requests and offer referrals. The non-profit can direct residents to medical care, housing or rent assistance, energy programs, and other aid.
Fresno Community Action Low Income Energy Bill Assistance Programs
Utility, heating, and gas bill assistance is available from the Fresno Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP. The Community Action Agency can help individuals apply for grants or loans from this benefit service.
Funds may be paid out in the hot summer months or the cold winter period. LIHEAP grants can be used to pay for air conditioning and heating bills in order to maintain a safe and comfortable temperature in the family’s home. The community action agency will also usually provide budget counseling, instruction on the proper use and maintenance of installed weatherization measures and education on basic energy efficiency techniques.
In an emergency, look into the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, or ECIP. This provides assistance to Fresno households that are facing a disconnection or are in some form of crisis situation. Examples of this include a household that has received a service termination or a 24- to 48-hour disconnect notice. Or maybe they have a life threatening condition and need their power.
Weatherization is the program that will provide for the free installation of energy conservation efforts. The non-profit Fresno County Community Action Agency may install infiltration and non-infiltration measures. The main goal of the federal program is to reduce energy costs and help people save money while improving energy efficiency. It also ensures the health and safety for low-income families, people with disabilities, the elderly, and families with young children in Fresno County. It may even cover the costs for testing, repairing, or replacement of heating and/or cooling systems, refrigerators, furnaces, and gas cooking appliance repair.
Fresno County families can get help from other statewide and charity electric and utility assistance programs too. Each company offers their own solutions such as payment plans, disconnection prevention, and other resources. Charities also coordinate with the elderly, disabled and struggling customers to get them help, working with community action. Find details on utility bill help for the low-income in California.
Short term housing centers in Fresno County
Younger adults can explore the Transitional Living Centers. The center will offer short term housing and shelter for families. Provided qualifications are met, the housing and related support services may last up to 24 months. Residents will participate in case management at the centers and receive linkage and referrals to community services and government resources, such as section 8.
The local Sanctuary Youth Shelter is for homeless, runaway, exploited or otherwise displaced youth. The center will give them a free meal, crisis intervention, clothing, case management, counseling, and family re-unification (when appropriate). It helps people that live between Stockton and Bakersfield California.
Staff and volunteers participate in the Sanctuary Outreach to the Streets. Youth who are homeless will be provided assistance, including basic needs such as free food, clothing, shelter, and personal hygiene items. They may also receive transportation to medical care help in applying for other appropriate services and transitional housing.
To expand on above, the Re-entry Transitional Program is for formerly incarcerated youth and is run in partnership with the Local Conservation Corps. It will unlock the full potential of youth and help them become productive members of the community. They may be able to receive a steady income at a good job and gain positive training experience, Earn their GED, and also get individualized support to help people accomplish education and career goals.
Resources from community action for children and youth in Fresno County
Another youth type program from Fresno County Community Action Agency is the Local Conservation Corps. The non-profit will provide young adults opportunities that will enable them to work towards achieving self-sufficiency. This can be postsecondary college and career planning, educational attainment (completion of high school diploma; college/vocational courses), an improved work ethic. They will work with staff on job skills development, life skills development, leadership development, civic awareness and community service.
The Local Conservation Corps may offer the YouthBuild Start Making a Real Transformation (SMART) program. This serves vocational training in construction, landscaping, green building maintenance, and also family centered education programs for fathers. There is also the DOL Career Opportunities Reached Through Participation in Service (CORPS), which is for ex prisoners.
Head Start (ES) is a federal government supported community-based program for low-income families with toddlers and infants and/or pregnant women. The Fresno County Community Action Agency can provide information on this and help people apply.
Head Start is offered in both home and a center. Staff and teachers provide individualized child development, early opportunities for infants/toddlers with and without disabilities, and coordinates parent education and social services. The Center Based option in Fresno California provides year-round childcare as well. For those that enroll, all diapers, food, wipes, bottles, and formula are provided for free to the child and parent. The program is often combined with Early Head Start, and together they offer educational, emotional, and social, health and nutritional services to preschool aged children and their families.
Low cost School Age Child Care is coordinated by the community action agency for Fresno families. It provides safe and quality child care for children under the age of 12. The non-profit will provide a safe environment for children while parents are going to school, working or are in job training. The center will also provide affordable and safe day care during holidays and breaks when school is out of session. The agency serves subsidized child care to low income families, based on their total household income and number of members in the family.
Low income families, single parents, even immigrant children can seek free or subsidized government day care. Fresno Community Action can assist with applications and help families find a daycare provider. In general, the applicant needs to be working or in job training. Locate free daycare programs in California.
Low cost or free health care services
The Fresno Community Health Center offers counseling, education, and medical treatment services to men, teens, and women of reproductive age at risk for unintended pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections. The non-profit community action agency coordinates high standard, confidential, and comprehensive medical services to uninsured, low-income and underinsured families.
Medical care assistance can pay for Colposcopy and cryotherapy treatment, Physical exams, Breast and cervical (pap smear)cancer screening for women, Pre-natal laboratory work, OBGYN, and Prenatal care up to 35 weeks. Family Planning and Reproductive needs can be met by the health center as well, including Birth control pills, Pregnancy testing and counseling, and more. There may even be free money for cancer bills.
Locations and contact information for Fresno County Community Action Agency
Other services include computer literacy classes, job readiness workshops, healthy relationships clinics and medical care. The program also partners and relies on resources from Fresno EOC's Health Services Clinic, Workforce Connection, Fresno EOC’s Local Conservations Corps, California Job Corps and Marjaree Mason Center. Other outreach services may be Treatment and counseling, Street-based education and outreach, Prevention and education activities, and Access to emergency shelter.
There are multiple locations in the county, some that focus on LIHEAP, others on medical care, shelter, and more. The best number to call for information, referrals, as well as location is 211. The main address is 1047 R St, Fresno, CA 93721.
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