Somerset Community Action assistance and self-sufficiency programs.
Most of the programs from the Somerset Community Action Program are focused on self-sufficiency, and include education and employment resources. However the non-profit agency will also offer some more general community services in New Jersey, and those can include food, homeless prevention, and utility bill help, among others.
The resources available from the agency may change over time and are based on funding. The demand for help in Somerset County is also very high, and not all applications or requests will be fulfilled. If you need some type of support, referrals, or guidance, call the agency. Some clients may only be provided with referrals, however the organization will always try to do its best to help the less fortunate.
General Community Services and Financial Aid may be offered too. SCAP works with local churches, charities, and government organizations to offer various forms of support. Some examples of them can include rental assistance as a type of Homeless Prevention. There is also security deposit assistance or loans that can be used to pay for Affordable Housing. New Jersey Shares and LIHEAP are two of the main resources to pay for heating and utility bills.
Other services from the Somerset Community Action Program includes Youth Development, GED preparation, Financial Literacy, and Adult Basic Skills. Employment is a key, and other training may be for Basic computer literacy as well as On the Job Early Education Training. English as a Second Language, or ESL classes, are also offered for the non-English speaking community.
Energy conservation and Weatherization is for those residents that struggle to pay their heating bills. Maybe their house is too cold in the winter or they live on a fixed income and are struggling. The New Jersey Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) can help working poor and low-income families save money. The community action program will focus this service on the disabled, elderly and families with young children. There are resources for your house, trailer, or apartment. Updates from Somerset Community Action Agency can include free energy conservation and efficiency work such as pipe insulation, high-density sidewall insulation, attic and/or floor insulation, heater replacement, and water heater insulation.
Extensive referrals and counseling services are offered. This is done in coordination with Family and Community Services of Somerset County New Jersey. Case managers from the non-profit provide individual or groups counseling as needed, and this can address self-sufficiency and other needs, all with the focus of improving the quality of life of residents. Get information on jobs, housing, child care subsidies, rent help, family counseling, NJ Family Care, free legal services, and much more.
Head Start is the main federal funded program that promotes the school readiness of children from the county. Among other things, by enhancing the cognitive and social development of children through the provision of health, educational, nutritional, social and other services, it has now become the most successful school readiness program.
What may be offered by SCAP as part of Head Start includes literacy, educational and employment, as well as general counseling. The community action agency also works with the United Way, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Student Association, and local clinics to address all health care requirements of the child. The Health Screenings for children from low income families includes Height and Weight, Hemoglobin, Hearing tests, Vision and Dental exams, and more. The non-profit will also provide early medical and dental examinations to children with the goal of school readiness in mind.
There is also assistance for children with a disability. There is even a half-day alternative offered for students attending disability services in the public schools, including transportation for these students. Most of the aid is offered by Somerset Community Action Program in partnership with healthcare providers, parents, and early childhood educators.
Nutrition and food is also offered by Head Start. Children can receive a free lunch, breakfast and snacks. All of the items are prepared in a commercial kitchen on site at the schools or main center. The meals served are also developed by a registered dietician and are intended to reflect the culture and diversity of the children served by the program. Not only is a free meal or snack served, but nutritional education is provided for parents and children to bring these benefits into their homes on a daily basis.
For those children that need it, transportation can be provided or arranged. This service is available for children to and from the Head Start program in the county, including in Belmont New Jersey. The coverage is limited, and all families will be screened for their need for transportation.
Another option in Somerset County is the Fee-Paying Child Development Program. This tends to assist those children and families that are not otherwise qualified for Head Start. This will provide the child with affordable full-day care. This is also for lower to moderate income families in the region and a partner is the State of New Jersey Department of Family Development as well as the Somerset County Department of Human Services. In addition to the parent pay for the service, the program also accepts vouchers from payment agencies like Northwest CAP, Catholic charities, DYFS, NJ Family Care, Programs for Parents and others.
There are a few main centers of SCAP in the region. The main offices are as follows.
- 900 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ 08873, Telephone number is 732-846-8888
- 113 Belmont Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873, main number is 732-302-0700
- Address is 170 Watchung Avenue, North Plainfield, New Jersey 07060, dial 908-753-8490
|
