Hampshire County Human Service Provider Database

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Telephone Numbers and Contact information
Phone #:(413) 272-2200 Main Number
Phone #:(413) 272-2352 Tom Salter-Homeless Prog. Coordinator
Phone #:(413) 272-2202 Employment and Home Energy Programs
Phone #:(413) 272-2207 Nancy Ward-Voucher Program Coordinator
Phone #:
Fax Number:(413) 781-5928

Web Page:  www.partnersforcommunity.org
E-mail to:   None Listed

Program Details:
Operating Agency: New England Farm Workers' Council (Public, Non-Profit)
Person In Charge: :
Hours:
Eligibility: migrant and seasonal farm workers and their families and inner-city, low-income groups
Fees:
Intake Process:
Program Licenses:
Staff Qualifications:
Service Area: western and north central MA , central CT and southern NH
Handicap Accessibility:

Program/Service Notes:
New England Farm Workers’ Council is a multi-faceted human services agency dedicated to improving the quality of life for thousands of low-income people throughout the region. PROGRAMS: Homeless Family Prevention Services: - The Scattered Sites Emergency Family Shelter Program provides shelter to area families eligible for emergency support through the MA Department of Transitional Assistance, but who have exhausted all other options to keep permanent housing. This program provides shelter to Hampden County families faced with no shelter – in each case developing a personalized plan of assistance with emphasis on helping the family regain its emotional stability. Once achieved, stability provides the basis for a methodical search for permanent housing and exploration of skills training and employment. - The Farm Workers’ Homelessness Assistance Program (HAP) assists those area families at risk of becoming -- or who already are -- homeless but not eligible for shelter to secure or keep permanent housing. In contrast to our Emergency Shelter Program, H.A.P often helps with strained tenant/landlord relations and can be an important factor in preventing eviction. Other services include family counseling, housing search assistance and life skills training and household financial management education. In a typical year, this program assists well over 1,000 families meeting these criteria. In a majority of cases, program staff was able to short-circuit the downward spiral into homelessness. -A Family Place offers individualized shelter units within a round-the-clock, staffed congregate shelter program. Homeless families are referred by MA Department of Transitional Assistance. Like the Scattered Sites Shelter program, a Family Place develops a personalized case management plan in a team approach to assist families in becoming independent and better able to move to safe permanent housing. Unlike the Scattered Site model, however, this program is designed to assist less able families and provide higher level of structured help. Employment/Job Training & Education: -Skills Development for Migrant Farm Workers Programs in MA, CT and NH introduce migrant workers to year-round earning potential in alternative vocations – many of which call for learning new skills. Farm worker employment services are available to men and women who have performed agricultural work during the last two years and meet U.S. Department of Labor low-income standards. Services include employment counseling, classroom training, job search and placement, on-the-job training with local employers. Important personal support services, such as housing, voucher day care and home energy assistance, are often provided. -Adult Employment-On a broader scale, Latino communities in Greater Springfield and Hartford are served with a range of adult basic education courses geared toward vocational readiness in a changing economy. For income-qualified adults, the agency provides literacy instruction in both English as a Second Language and native language development. Math, social science and GED preparation are also offered. A related program for Latino persons teaches English skills for the workplace. -Youth Employment-The Farm Workers’ Council Summer Youth Employment Program, under the direction of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, is designed to familiarize teenage youth with the adult world of work and offer them actual on-the-job experience. -Voucher Day Care: A personalized approach characterizes NEFWC voucher day care. From the time of state referral to the program, NEFWC engages in a hands-on effort to help eligible parents determine the type of child care most appropriate to their needs. NEFWC helps in identifying the most compatible and convenient day care center or at-home child care provider available. Once a provider is selected by parents, Farm Workers issues a written voucher to the family stipulating daily service rate, the amount of state reimbursement and other contract terms.Total voucher day care payments to parents through our program exceed $10 million annually, or an average of over $800,000 per month. Rapid expansion of voucher day care services across MA continues as benefit periods for folks receiving state public assistance decrease while employment pressures increase. -Home Energy Assitance: NEFWC's Fuel Assistance Program, LIHEAP pays benefits of fixed amounts based on household income. An additional benefit is available to households having a high energy burden. NEFWC and other administering agencies determine household eligibility based on annualized income and number of household members. The agency makes utility payments to the primary heating vendor -- oil, gas, electric or other. Special provisions are made for those households whose heat is included in their rent and for those living in subsidized housing. All eligible households receive discounts of up to 35 percent on utility and telephone service.

This information was last updated on 03/11/2005

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