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Advocacy & Assistance

    Results: 43

  • Advocacy (4)
    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.
  • Animal Food/Supplies Donation Programs (1)
    TI-1800.0700

    Animal Food/Supplies Donation Programs

    TI-1800.0700

    Programs that accept pet food, water and food dishes, leashes, crates and other pet-related supplies, and keep them for use in their own program or donate them to other nonprofit organizations for their own use or for distribution to the people they serve.
  • Appliance Donation Programs (2)
    TI-1800.3000-050

    Appliance Donation Programs

    TI-1800.3000-050

    Programs that accept new or reconditioned refrigerators, freezers, stoves, washing machines, clothes dryers and other large appliances, refurbish them if necessary, and keep them for use in their own programs, donate them to other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell them to raise money for agency programs.
  • Baby Clothing Donation Programs (2)
    TI-1800.1500-100

    Baby Clothing Donation Programs

    TI-1800.1500-100

    Programs that accept new or secondhand clothing and layettes for infants and young children, repair the items if necessary, and keep the clothing for use in their own programs, donate it to shelters and other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell it to raise money for agency programs.
  • Baby Furniture Donation Programs (1)
    TI-1800.3000-080

    Baby Furniture Donation Programs

    TI-1800.3000-080

    Programs that accept new or secondhand bassinettes, cribs, strollers and other furniture or equipment for infants, refurbish them if necessary, and keep them for use in their own programs, donate them to other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell them to raise money for agency programs.
  • Bedding/Linen Donation Programs (3)
    TI-1800.3000-100

    Bedding/Linen Donation Programs

    TI-1800.3000-100

    Programs that accept new or secondhand sheets, blankets, pillowcases, bedspreads, towels and other similar household essentials, refurbish them if necessary, and keep them for use in their own programs, donate them to other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell them to raise money for agency programs.
  • Benefits Assistance (11)
    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 (97)
    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.
  • Charities/Grantmaking Organizations (2)
    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.
  • Charity Information (1)
    TJ-1550

    Charity Information

    TJ-1550

    Programs that provide authoritative lists of charitable organizations in a particular community or detailed information about the operations and finances of a specific organization based on its most recently filed information return (IRS Form 990).
  • Child Advocacy Centers (1)
    FT-3000.1450

    Child Advocacy Centers

    FT-3000.1450

    Programs that operate centers which facilitate a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation and treatment of child abuse cases. Services generally include videotaped interviews of child abuse victims in safe, child-friendly surroundings to avoid multiple interviews, reduce the trauma of disclosure and preserve statements for court purposes; crisis intervention and emotional support for victims and non-offending family members; forensic medical examinations; psychotherapy services including play therapy, family therapy and individual counseling for parents; support groups; case management; and interdisciplinary review of cases by teams of professionals including law enforcement, children's protective services, prosecution, medical, mental health, victim assistance, and child advocacy personnel.
  • Community Action Agencies (1)
    TD-1100.1400

    Community Action Agencies

    TD-1100.1400

    Private, nonprofit human service and advocacy organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 that provide emergency assistance to people in crisis; address the causes of poverty through programs that fight unemployment, inadequate housing, poor nutrition and lack of educational opportunity; and provide training in advocacy skills. Community Action Agencies (CAAs), also known as Community Action Programs (CAPs), operate a variety of core services in the communities they serve. Included are GED and ESL education, job training programs, Head Start and day care, weatherization and energy assistance programs, health services, services for older adults (e.g., Foster Grandparents and RSVP), emergency food assistance and homelessness prevention programs. They are also involved in affordable housing creation and renovation and small business assistance.
  • Community Action/Social Advocacy Groups (2)
    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 (3)
    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.
  • Constitutional/Civil Rights Groups (2)
    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 Safety Planning (13)
    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 (1)
    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.
  • Diaper Donation Programs (1)
    TI-1800.1500-180

    Diaper Donation Programs

    TI-1800.1500-180

    Diaper banks and other organizations that collect unused diapers and distribute them to local agencies (often food banks) that provide services for families in need. Their objectives are to provide a consistent supply of diapers and wipes to ensure that families living in poverty have an adequate supply for their infants and toddlers; to raise community awareness that "basic human needs" include diapers and that these needs are not being met for children living in poverty; and to advocate for policy reform so that diapers are included in the definition of and provision for the "basic human needs" of families.
  • Divorce/Custody/Support Issues (1)
    YZ-1740

    Divorce/Custody/Support Issues

    YZ-1740

    Programs that provide information and/or services that deal with the topics of divorce, child custody, child support and/or spousal support.
  • Education Advocacy Groups (1)
    TD-1600.1770

    Education Advocacy Groups

    TD-1600.1770

    Organizations that promote a particular practice like bilingual education, support the passage and enforcement of laws and other social measures that will result in specific types of educational reform or other improvements in the educational system, or support specific changes in local educational institutions that will improve the delivery of services to local students.
  • Electronics/Small Appliance Donation Programs (1)
    TI-1800.3000-180

    Electronics/Small Appliance Donation Programs

    TI-1800.3000-180

    Programs that accept new or reconditioned radios, television sets, microwave ovens, fans, heaters, vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, small kitchen appliance and other similar equipment, refurbish them if necessary, and keep them for use in their own programs, donate them to other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell them to raise money for agency programs.
  • Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Issues (38)
    YZ-2500

    Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Issues

    YZ-2500

    Programs that provide information and/or services that deal with the topic of GLBT individuals and their interests. The GLBT population includes gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender individuals, intersexed individuals, gender questioning youth and others with gender identity issues.
  • General Benefits Assistance (2)
    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.
  • Homebuyer/Home Purchase Counseling (5)
    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 (5)
    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 (10)
    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 Accompaniment Programs (1)
    PH-1450.3200

    Immigrant Accompaniment Programs

    PH-1450.3200

    Programs that accompany people who are new to the country and may face language and other cultural barriers when establishing themselves, particularly during the first months following arrival. Escorts are generally volunteers with a shared ethnic background who provide assistance in key areas such as housing, employment and education as well as help with other necessities of daily living such as understanding the local public transit system, opening a bank account and learning the location of stores that sell familiar items.
  • Immigrant Mutual Assistance Associations (1)
    PH-1450.3300

    Immigrant Mutual Assistance Associations

    PH-1450.3300

    Programs developed and staffed by former refugees and immigrants that help newly arrived people from their previous country or region of residence begin a new life in the U.S. Mutual assistance associations address the unique cultural needs of the specific immigrant/refugee population they serve and provide a variety of services including cultural adjustment support, English language instruction, interpretation/translation services, housing and employment assistance, transportation, clothing and furniture, as needed, small business development assistance and help in accessing other social 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.
  • Kitchenware Donation Programs (3)
    TI-1800.3000-350

    Kitchenware Donation Programs

    TI-1800.3000-350

    Programs that accept new or secondhand dishes, utensils, pots and pans, food storage containers and other cookware and keep them for use in their own programs, donate them to other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell them to raise money for agency programs.
  • LGBTQ2+ Advocacy Groups (1)
    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 (2)
    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.
  • Maternity Clothing Donation Programs (1)
    TI-1800.1500-500

    Maternity Clothing Donation Programs

    TI-1800.1500-500

    Programs that accept new or secondhand clothing that women can wear during pregnancy, repair the items if necessary, and keep the clothing for use in their own programs, donate it to shelters and other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell it to raise money for agency programs.
  • Protection and Advocacy for Individuals With Disabilities (4)
    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.
  • Senior Advocacy Groups (1)
    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.
  • Shoe Donation Programs (2)
    TI-1800.1500-800

    Shoe Donation Programs

    TI-1800.1500-800

    Programs that accept new or secondhand shoes and other footwear, repair them if necessary, and keep the shoes for use in their own programs, donate them to shelters and other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell them to raise money for agency programs.
  • Specialized Information and Referral (14)
    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 (6)
    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 (4)
    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).
  • Winter Clothing Donation Programs (3)
    TI-1800.1500-870

    Winter Clothing Donation Programs

    TI-1800.1500-870

    Programs that accept new or secondhand coats, gloves, hats, scarves and other winter clothing, repair the items if necessary, and keep the clothing for use in their own programs, donate it to shelters and other community-based organizations for distribution to the people they serve, or sell it to raise money for agency programs.