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Advocacy & Assistance

    Results: 43

  • Advocacy (6)
    FP-0500

    Advocacy

    FP-0500

    Programs that intercede on behalf of individuals and/or groups to ensure that they receive the benefits and services for which they are eligible and that organizations within the established service delivery system meet the collective needs of the community; that attempt to marshal public support for a particular issue or cause; or that seek to influence legislation, local ordinances or administrative rulings in order to benefit specific interest groups or achieve specific social, political or environmental goals.
  • Benefits Assistance (33)
    FT-1000

    Benefits Assistance

    FT-1000

    Programs that provide assistance for people who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for benefits, the benefits provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits application forms; negotiate on their behalf with benefits administration staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are benefits counseling organizations that offer a range of advocacy services and legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.
  • Benefits Screening (3)
    PH-0700

    Benefits Screening

    PH-0700

    Programs that provide benefits screening services which help individuals determine whether they are eligible for benefits through any of a wide variety of public and private federal, state and local programs. In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, the service generally also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information (typically the addresses and phone numbers of where to apply for the programs), and materials to help successfully apply for each program. Included are programs that provide this service online and those that do benefits screening via the telephone or in-person. Some benefits screening programs may focus on specific populations such as older adults and people with disabilities; or specific aspects of benefits eligibility such as the impact that working will have on their benefits as an aid to helping people make informed decisions regarding whether to work. Also included are programs that help people complete the benefits screening form.
  • Case/Care Management (101)
    PH-1000

    Case/Care Management

    PH-1000

    Programs that develop plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of individuals who, because of age, illness, disability or other difficulties, need assistance in planning and arranging for services; which assess the individual's needs; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained in accordance with the case plan; and follow up and monitor progress to ensure that services are having a beneficial impact on the individual. Case management is a collaborative process characterized by communication, advocacy and resource management to promote high quality, cost-effective interventions and outcomes.
  • Case/Care Management for Homeless People (1)
    PH-1000 * YV-3000

    Case/Care Management for Homeless People

    PH-1000 * YV-3000

    Programs that develop plans for the evaluation, treatment and/or care of individuals who, because of age, illness, disability or other difficulties, need assistance in planning and arranging for services; which assess the individual's needs; coordinate the delivery of needed services; ensure that services are obtained in accordance with the case plan; and follow up and monitor progress to ensure that services are having a beneficial impact on the individual. Case management is a collaborative process characterized by communication, advocacy and resource management to promote high quality, cost-effective interventions and outcomes. * Individuals and families who have no fixed, regular and adequate residence, who are residing temporarily with relatives or friends or who live on the street, in emergency or transitional shelters, in a hotel or motel paid for with a shelter voucher, in seriously substandard housing or in an abandoned building, place of business, car or other vehicle, or other public or private place that is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for people. Some people who are homeless have issues with substance abuse, chronic or severe mental illness, chronic unemployment or underemployment, or other problems that prevent them from obtaining housing.
  • Charities/Grantmaking Organizations (4)
    TD-1200

    Charities/Grantmaking Organizations

    TD-1200

    Organizations that solicit contributions, endowments and other financial support from public and private sources which are used directly by the organization to provide human services for eligible residents of the community or which are utilized to provide the total or supplementary financial support for human service programs of community agencies and organizations. Also included are governmental and quasi-governmental entities that manage the allocation of public monies to public and private human service providers.
  • Community Action/Social Advocacy Groups (6)
    TD-1600

    Community Action/Social Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600

    Organizations whose members have joined together on a voluntary basis to promote a particular cause or work for the realization of a specific social or political goal.
  • Comprehensive Information and Referral (4)
    TJ-3000.1500

    Comprehensive Information and Referral

    TJ-3000.1500

    Programs that maintain information about the full range of human services and which function as the primary source of information about and linkage to human service providers in the community.
  • Conservation (2)
    JD-1500

    Conservation

    JD-1500

    Programs that protect our natural resources from abuse, neglect, waste or exploitation and preserve their availability for future generations.
  • Constitutional/Civil Rights Groups (1)
    TD-1600.3100-160

    Constitutional/Civil Rights Groups

    TD-1600.3100-160

    Organizations that work to protect the rights of people guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, and which promote the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that extend individual rights or more effectively protect them. These rights include constitutional guarantees, such as the right to bear arms, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as well as civil rights which protect all citizens from discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin in the areas of voting, education, employment and housing; in the use of facilities and public accommodations; and in the administration of federally assisted or other public programs.
  • Crime Victim Accompaniment Services (1)
    FN-1900.0500

    Crime Victim Accompaniment Services

    FN-1900.0500

    Programs that provide support for battered women, sexual assault survivors and other victims of crimes by having a staff member go with them when they require a medical examination to gather evidence or need to visit a police station to file a complaint or appear in court to give evidence.
  • Crime Victim Safety Planning (27)
    FN-1900.2000

    Crime Victim Safety Planning

    FN-1900.2000

    Programs that help people who are experiencing abuse, exploitation, harassment or are otherwise at risk of violence develop and adapt a personalized, practical plan that can help them anticipate and avoid dangerous situations and know the best way to react when they find themselves in danger. Some programs may target special populations such as victims of domestic violence or human trafficking.
  • Crime Victim Support (16)
    FN-1900

    Crime Victim Support

    FN-1900

    Programs whose objective is to help victims of crimes and their families recover from the trauma of their experience, get medical assistance when required, make their way through the legal system, have an opportunity to provide input to parole or clemency hearings, take appropriate steps, where relevant, to avoid becoming re-victimized, access the benefits to which they are entitled and rebuild their lives.
  • Crime Witness Support (4)
    FN-2100

    Crime Witness Support

    FN-2100

    Programs that provide a variety of supportive services for people who have witnessed a crime which may include crisis counseling, shelter away from their homes, escort services, transportation, child care, financial assistance, protective services, information about the mechanics of court proceedings and/or advice and guidance concerning court appearances. Some programs focus specifically on child witnesses and help to prepare them for what they will experience in the courtroom.
  • Education Discrimination Assistance (2)
    FT-1800.1800

    Education Discrimination Assistance

    FT-1800.1800

    Programs that provide assistance for people who believe they have been denied equal access to student loans or scholarships, or to educational programs at preschool, elementary, secondary, vocational, postsecondary, postgraduate or professional school levels based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
  • Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Advocacy Groups (6)
    TD-1600.3100-250

    Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600.3100-250

    Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that protect and promote the rights and interests of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender individuals, intersexed individuals (people born with reproductive organs and/or genitalia that are ambiguous or atypical), cross-dressers and/or people who are in the process of coming out or are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • General Benefits Assistance (12)
    FT-1000.2500

    General Benefits Assistance

    FT-1000.2500

    Programs that focus broadly on helping individuals who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining grants, payments, services or other benefits for which they are eligible rather than offering more specialized services relating to a particular type of benefit.
  • Group Advocacy (4)
    FP-0500.2500

    Group Advocacy

    FP-0500.2500

    Programs that intervene on behalf of groups of people who have a common grievance against a public or private service provider or who believe that their rights have been violated, and which attempt to reach an equitable settlement without resorting to litigation.
  • Health Related Advocacy Groups (1)
    TD-1600.2570

    Health Related Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600.2570

    Organizations that are dedicated to protecting and improving the quality and affordability of health and long term care for all individuals and advocating for changes in the health care system that will achieve these goals; or which advocate more broadly for legislation and other measures such as bans on smoking that have a positive impact on public health. Specific issues may include extending the reach of childhood immunization programs, expanding services for people with specific disabilities or health conditions, funding medical research, supporting or opposing stem cell research, establishing the liability of managed health care organizations and nursing facilities for the consequences of their decisions, providing a prescription drug benefit for the elderly, passing a powerful patient's bill of rights, advocating for universal health care or taking a position on the merits of specific medical procedures or forms of treatment.
  • Home Barrier Removal Grants (1)
    BH-3000.3520

    Home Barrier Removal Grants

    BH-3000.3520

    Programs that provide cash assistance for qualified people with disabilities who want to install ramps or elevators, widen doorways, install grab bars in showers and bathrooms, lower kitchen and other cabinets or make other modifications in their homes in order to make them more accessible.
  • Homebuyer/Home Purchase Counseling (27)
    BH-3700.3000

    Homebuyer/Home Purchase Counseling

    BH-3700.3000

    Programs that help people who want to purchase a home evaluate their readiness for homeownership, shop for housing that meets their needs, resolve potential credit problems, analyze specific home purchase offers, obtain a mortgage loan with advantageous interest rates and an affordable monthly payment, and complete the paperwork to close the loan and complete the sale. Also included are programs that provide assistance for people who want to refinance a home.
  • Homelessness Advocacy Groups (1)
    TD-1600.2600

    Homelessness Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600.2600

    Organizations that support measures that address the needs of people who are, or are at risk of becoming, homeless including the need for shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, medical care and basic human rights.
  • Housing Advocacy Groups (3)
    TD-1600.2800

    Housing Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600.2800

    Organizations that advocate for constructing, renovating or otherwise improving the availability of safe, affordable rental and purchasable housing for low-income individuals and families, older adults, people with disabilities, migrant workers and others who are unable to purchase a home or rent a home or apartment under current market conditions or who are forced to spend an excessively large proportion of their income on housing to the detriment of other necessities.
  • Housing Discrimination Assistance (6)
    FT-1800.3000

    Housing Discrimination Assistance

    FT-1800.3000

    Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been denied an opportunity to purchase, lease or rent the home or apartment of their choice due to their age, gender, family composition (including families with children under the age of 18 and pregnant women), race or color, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status, actions that are prohibited by the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 in the U.S. Federal fair housing law also extends limited protection to recovering alcoholics who actively and regularly participate in a medically based treatment or AA program, and people with a drug use disorder including those who have prior convictions for illegal drug use (but not for drug dealing or manufacture). Assistance may also be available to other individuals who are protected from housing discrimination by state or local laws with a broader set of protected categories, or which cover properties that are exempt from federal fair housing laws but are protected under state law.
  • Housing Search Assistance (12)
    BH-3900.3100

    Housing Search Assistance

    BH-3900.3100

    Programs that assign a staff member to assist people who are looking for housing to survey the available residences and to choose and obtain the most suitable option.
  • Immigrant Resettlement Services (4)
    PH-1450.3400

    Immigrant Resettlement Services

    PH-1450.3400

    Programs that help newly arrived immigrants and immigrant families make an adjustment to their new home and community. Services may include reception for arriving immigrants; provision of a "welcome kit" of immediate necessities and information; cultural orientation and ESL classes; and assistance in locating housing and employment, using public transportation and identifying other needed services.
  • Individual and Family Support Services (1)
    PH

    Individual and Family Support Services

    PH

    Programs that provide alternative living arrangements for children who have no birth family or whose family environment is abusive; facilitate the settlement of new residents in the community; marshal community resources on behalf of disadvantaged residents during the holidays; or offer other services that augment and expand the protection, supervision, care and support that are provided through the primary family unit, or that enhance the recipient's mobility or ability to communicate and live more comfortably.
  • LGBTQ2+ Advocacy Groups (4)
    TD-1600.3100-400

    LGBTQ2+ Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600.3100-400

    Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that protect and promote the rights and interests of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, or otherwise as part of the gender and sexually expansive community.
  • LGBTQ2+ Community Centers (3)
    TC-5500.4000

    LGBTQ2+ Community Centers

    TC-5500.4000

    Multipurpose centers that serve as a meeting place for people who identify as part of the gender and sexually expansive community that includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or two-spirit, to grow together, celebrate diversity and increase public understanding. The centers may offer community events, educational programs, counseling, support groups, library resources, recreational programs and other services that support LGBTQ2+ individuals and organizations.
  • Neighborhood Improvement Groups (3)
    TD-1600.6000

    Neighborhood Improvement Groups

    TD-1600.6000

    Organizations whose members are usually residents of a particular community or neighborhood who work together to remedy deficiencies in existing neighborhood conditions or to enhance conditions that are currently satisfactory.
  • Outsourcing/Contracted Services (1)
    TO-6800

    Outsourcing/Contracted Services

    TO-6800

    Programs that contract with nonprofit organizations, small businesses and other groups to assume operational responsibility for one or more specific functions generally regarded as internal such as payroll, billing and collections, information system management, financial resources management, legal services, marketing or human resources that the organization does not have the expertise or resources to manage themselves.
  • Pension Benefits Assistance (1)
    FT-1000.6500

    Pension Benefits Assistance

    FT-1000.6500

    Programs that provide information, education, advocacy and/or other forms or legal assistance for people who are experiencing difficulties understanding or collecting their retirement benefits or who have other complaints about the terms or administration of their public or private pension plan or fund.
  • Personal Health Care Advocate Services (1)
    LH-6300.6550

    Personal Health Care Advocate Services

    LH-6300.6550

    Programs that help people navigate through the maze of doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, outpatient centers, insurance and payment systems, patient-support organizations and other components of the health care system with the objective of supporting timely delivery of quality care and ensuring that patients, survivors and families are satisfied with their encounters with the health care system. Personal health care advocates are trained health care workers, often nurses, or volunteers familiar with the health care system who work independently of any health care institution. They help patients identify specialists, coordinate appointments with providers to assure timely delivery of diagnostic and treatment services, provide "cheat sheets" of questions, and lay out the choices patients have in plain English. They may also ensure that appropriate medical records are available at scheduled appointments, accompany patients to medical appointments, arrange language translation or interpretation services, facilitate financial support and help with paperwork, negotiate insurance claims, arrange transportation and/or child/elder care, provide access to clinical trials and facilitate linkages to follow-up services. Some programs contract with employers to serve as personal advocates for employees who are ill. Others work exclusively with individuals who have specific illnesses, e.g., cancer.
  • Police/Community Relations Groups (1)
    TD-1600.6550

    Police/Community Relations Groups

    TD-1600.6550

    Organizations that work for increased harmony and understanding between individuals involved in law enforcement and the community at large.
  • Protection and Advocacy for Individuals With Disabilities (9)
    FT-1000.6600

    Protection and Advocacy for Individuals With Disabilities

    FT-1000.6600

    Programs that provide assistance for individuals with disabilities who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining the full benefits and services to which they are entitled by law. Included are federally mandated programs that are part of the formal protection and advocacy system which includes Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PADD), Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), Protection and Advocacy for Individual Rights (PAIR) and the Client Assistance Program (CAP); and independent organizations that provide the same types of services. Protection and advocacy programs provide legal representation and other advocacy services, under federal and state laws, for all people with disabilities and endeavor to ensure full access to inclusive educational programs, financial entitlements, health care, accessible housing and productive employment opportunities. The programs maintain a presence in facilities that care for people with disabilities where they monitor, investigate and attempt to remedy adverse conditions. CAP agencies (many of which are housed within protection and advocacy offices) provide information and assistance for individuals seeking or receiving vocational rehabilitation services under the Rehabilitation Act, including assistance in pursuing administrative, legal and other appropriate remedies.
  • Refugee Resettlement Services (3)
    PH-1450.7000

    Refugee Resettlement Services

    PH-1450.7000

    Government-appointed nonprofit organizations, frequently associated with the faith community, that provide resettlement services through a network of local affiliates for refugee populations designated by the U.S. Department of State. These organizations take the lead in helping newly arrived refugees or refugee families make an adjustment to their new home and community. Services provided by local affiliates may include reception for arriving refugees; provision of a "welcome kit" of immediate necessities; periodic visits with the family during the early days of their transition; collection and provision of household goods; cultural orientation and ESL classes; and assistance in locating housing and employment, using public transportation and identifying other needed services.
  • Reproductive Rights Groups (1)
    TD-1600.3100-650

    Reproductive Rights Groups

    TD-1600.3100-650

    Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures which preserve a woman's right to reproductive health care including contraception, sterilization and the choice to terminate her pregnancy. Reproductive rights groups may also urge action on other issues such as assuring availability of sex education to young people, preventing violence at abortion clinics and protecting women seeking an abortion from harassment.
  • School System Advocacy (1)
    FT-8000

    School System Advocacy

    FT-8000

    Programs that assist families in their interactions with the school system which may include help with school registration, enrollment of children in special programs, intervention on behalf of students facing disciplinary action or expulsion and other activities which facilitate communication between families and school staff.
  • Senior Advocacy Groups (3)
    TD-1600.3100-800

    Senior Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600.3100-800

    Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that protect and promote the rights and interests of older adults.
  • Specialized Information and Referral (10)
    TJ-3000.8000

    Specialized Information and Referral

    TJ-3000.8000

    Programs that maintain information about community resources that are appropriate for a specific target group or human services sector (for example, youth programs or addiction services) and which link individuals who are in need of specialized services with appropriate resources and/or which provide information about community agencies and organizations that offer specialized services.
  • Weatherization Programs (4)
    BH-3000.1800-950

    Weatherization Programs

    BH-3000.1800-950

    Programs that provide assistance in the form of labor and supplies to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and protect them from the elements. The program provides ceiling insulation, attic venting, double glazed windows, weather-stripping, minor housing envelope repairs, low-flow showerheads, evaporative cooler vent covers, water heater blankets, pipe wrap, duct wrap, switch and outlet gaskets, caulking, and other related energy conservation measures. Weatherization programs may have age, income, disability or other eligibility requirements.
  • Welfare Rights Assistance (2)
    FT-1000.9500

    Welfare Rights Assistance

    FT-1000.9500

    Programs that provide assistance for prospective or current public financial assistance recipients who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining the full benefits to which they are entitled by law under various income support entitlement programs. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for benefits, how much they can work without affecting their benefits (for some programs), the benefits provided by the program, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete benefits application forms; negotiate on their behalf with public assistance benefits staff; and/or represent them in administrative hearings or judicial litigation. Included are welfare rights organizations that offer a range of advocacy services as well as legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance. Entitlement programs include (but are not limited to) General Relief (GR), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps/SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
  • Workers Compensation Benefits Assistance (1)
    FT-1000.9700

    Workers Compensation Benefits Assistance

    FT-1000.9700

    Programs that provide assistance for people who are having difficulty understanding and/or obtaining the full benefits to which they are entitled by law under state Workers Compensation statutes. The programs may help people understand the eligibility criteria for Workers Compensation benefits, the benefits provided by the program, and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete Workers Compensation application forms; negotiate on their behalf with Workers Compensation benefits staff; and/or represent them in administrative hearings or judicial litigation. Included are organizations that offer a range of advocacy services as well as legal aid programs which offer more formalized legal assistance. Workers Compensation is a disability insurance program mandated by the state and funded by employer contributions which provides compensation to covered employees for loss of their earnings as a result of an accidental injury or occupational disease sustained during employment, or which compensates dependents in case of a work-related death.