Northwest Ohio Workshop on Autism Family Funds, and Places Where Other Families Can Get Funds

On Wednesday, May 22nd, the parents of children on the autism spectrum can attend a free workshop conducted by Tammy Eisenreich of the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disability, either in the morning (10-11:30 a.m.), or evening (6-7:30 p.m.) at the Holland Branch Library on how to get funding for your child's education or treatment.  For more information or to sign up, contact Ms. Eisenreich at 419-356-3824 or teisenreich@lucasdd.org.  She will discuss not only sources of funding, but how to knowledgably approach insurance companies on coverage that you may already have, but have not known how to use, and how to keep your ear to the ground for other sources of funding.  She will also discuss the documentation that you will need to qualify for these benefits and apply for them. I've been to one of her workshops in the past, and it was an informative and worthwhile event.

If you live elsewhere or can't make it, there are other sources of information about funding to help out the families of kids on the autism spectrum.  Some of them have been written about on this blog, but there are others: this listing from Austism Speaks, this from Autism Cares re: aid for families in times of natural disasters, this from the Autism Support Network, this from the Heart of Texas Autism Network, and this list on the Lucas County Board of Developmental Disability--put together by Ms. Eisenreich herself.  And network with the other parents--they will help you find out new things, and new techniques to get funding and insurance coverage.  Also, if you have workplace insurance for your family, work with your human resources office to find the best way to apply for benefits. 

 

On the Job Training Programs in Ohio and Elsewhere

A bunch of us from the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library did a tour through The Source, a one-stop employment center, one of hundreds throughout the country, to see what they had to offer local job seekers, and programs available to them.  I'll cover some of the other programs in future dispatches, but the one that we'll talk about here is OJT, the On the Job Training Program that's funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and is available in Ohio and other areas of the country.

The program is aimed to help the long-termed unemployed (to be eligible, you must have been unemployed more that 158 days or 22 1/2 weeks, consecutively or not.  Are you a displaced worker, a displaced homemaker, and eligible, receiving or have exhausted your unemployment benefits?  You may be eligible.  In the program, a participating employer is reimbursed by the government for the cost of training these workers in the skills they need; the employer has an employee trained for nearly free, and the worker has a new job.  If you live in northwest Ohio and think you may be eligible and interested, call Dan at 419 213 5627.  Be sure to ask about documentation that you need, like a termination or layoff notice, or a tax form if you were formerly self-employed. 

Since the funding is federal, there are other places that have this program, too, but you will have to contact your own local one-stop employment center to see if it's available where you live.  "Available" depends on a lot of things: do you fit the criteria?  Did your state apply for the money from the Department of Labor?  If so, did they run through all the money, or is it still available?  Did some employers sign on for it?  Remember that being eligible for a jobs program is like riding a wave on a surfboard:  you have to be there and working actively with the job centers when the funding arrives, and definitely before it runs out.  And you never know when the wave will show up.  But if you're there, you may be eligible--and ready.

Getting a Low-Cost Prom Dress in 2012

Prom season is nearly here, and besides our past roundup of low-cost prom grown projects, we have some new ones to announce.  Here in the northwest Ohio/Toledo area, Owens Community College students are hosting their 2nd annual Prom Dress Extravaganza, in which high school students can purchase prom dresses for $5-$20 on April 14th at the Student Health and Activities Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as accessories ranging from 50 cents to $3.  For more information, call Owens College at 567-661-2569. 

In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, there is a  Prom Project till March 10 for prom gowns, AND young men can get a tuxedo voucher, plus etiquette lessons.  In central Illinois, the Perfect Prom Project will be held March 31st at Latzer Hall in the University of Illinois YWCA.  Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY is having their Prom Project March 9 and 10, 2012 for girls looking for a gown. 

As in the past, Donate My Dress is always a good jumping-off point in finding gently used prom gowns at a low cost, but googling "prom project, " along with the name of your town, is another useful tactic.  Of course, you may accidentally find programs on alcohol and drug free post-prom lockups, but that's the price you pay in finding cheap gowns.  Good luck.

****UPDATE:*****for teens in metro Detroit area:  The Detroit Free Press has a contest to win $500 towards prom expenses.  You have to make up a prom dress, or some other part of prom attire....from copies of the Detroit Free Press newspaper, and take a picture of it.  The winner gets the money to pay for prom costs.  Send a picture of your newspaper prom attire to freeprom@freepress.com by April 23rd. 

Want Money for a Great Toledo Project? Get in the Soup!

Yes, I know there is no free money, unless there is.  I just heard about a new start-up effort to get (small amounts) of money to projects--either for OR non-profit--in the Toledo, Ohio area.  It's called Toledo Soup, and is the joint effort of some local area business folks.  It works like this: you submit a short proposal about why your project would be great for the Toledo area.  They are looking for a diversity of sources--arts, culture, small business, nonprofit, etc.  The submission must be by February 17th. 

Then, judges narrow down the entries, and if your entry is chosen, you come to a dinner hosted by  Toledo Soup on March 4th.  Attendees are charged $5 for admission, and they listen while submitters describe their project, and why it's worthy of funding.  Then the dinner attendees vote on the projects, and the one with the most votes gets the admission money so the amount depends on attendance.  It's not going to rival Donald Trump-type money, but might give you the cash to start--or finish--something that could be great for the Toledo area.  See their website if you want to apply, or if you want to attend an event and contribute to popular-democracy fund raising.

Updated Christmas Gift News for the Needy. And Suggestions for Others.

For people in Toledo, Ohio who have missed the deadline for applying to the Salvation Army for Christmas assistance this season, there will be another sign-up at the downtown Salvation Army offices (620 N. Erie Street) on November 29th,  ONE DAY ONLY, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. However, call 211 to get more updated information. *** 211 is the central number to call to find out about Christmas assistance in the Toledo area.  If you are past the deadline, call 211 and find out what else may be available.***

In metro Detroit, the Salvation Army is signing people up for Christmas assistance for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Applications will be accepted Nov. 7 through Dec. 9.   For more information, call 248 443 5500.

 ***However, many communities are acting to help people within their own borders.  For a complete and up-to-date rundown, see the Facebook entry for Julie's List, or check out the webpage.***  Also, Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan is reaching out to families in need this Hanakkah season.  If you wish to give, or are in need, call (248) 661-5700. 

In general, try the Salvation Army near your home to find out more about Christmas assistance in your area, or  try calling 211 if you live in an area that has 211 telephone assistance.

Where to Find Places That Give Needy Children Christmas Gifts

You're probably wondering why I'm writing this in late September.  Really, am I getting like Costco, that has Christmas stuff up already?  No, I just know what I know--that the Christmas clearing houses (or Christmas coordinating councils) start to gear up in October.  These are the local organizations that coordinate charity work for the poor during the Christmas season.  They take applications, vet people for eligibility, and try to get them in touch with other organizations that collect food, clothing, and toys so that the poor have a decent Christmas. 

That means that if you think you will need their help, you should probably try around the middle of October, through the middle of November.  But how do you know where to go?  Veteran poor people know how to navigate the system, but the Great Recession has created people that don't know the ropes, and try climbing the ropes too late to get much help.  This goes for holiday help, heating help, or just about anything.  If you think you need the help of one of these organizations this year, here's how to start--hopefully, not too close to the holidays:

In the Toledo area, call 211 for holiday food and gifts, and the United Way will send you to the appropriate agency. The regional Toys for Tots number for northwest Ohio is 419 666-6992. They note at the Toys for Tots website that you may be eligible to receive food at one organization, and toys at another, but not the same type of charity aid from more than one organization.

First, the biggest organization of this sort in the U.S. is the Salvation Army.  Their local branches often function as the CCH's in their communities.  You can go to their website and enter your zip code in the search box to find the nearest one.  They may have a formal intake procedure and invite you to come and fill out some forms.  Another way to search for a local organization is to put "christmas clearing house" or "christmas coordinating council" and the name of your town in Google.  Another is to call 211, IF you live in an area where you can find social services by dialing 211.  Find out by searching at this website.  Another organization that gives toys to children is Toys for Tots.  Their page has a website to help you find your local branch.  Another way to find help is a nearby church, which is probably working with a local Christmas clearing house. 

 

Get Your Culture Vulture On--Free Museum Passes

I realize that not many are lucky enough to have a wonderful museum like the Toledo Museum of Art free to them every day (except for special exhibits).  So we in Toledo like to bask/brag a bit.  In fact TMA is also letting active military personnel and their immediate families in free for one special exhibit, the Egypt Experience till September 4th. 

But lots of free opportunities await you at museums around the country.  On September 24, 2011, the Smithonian Museum in Washington, which is always free, sponsors a free museum day at various locations around the country.  Send them an application for a free ticket for two, and the holder can get in for free.

But many other museums have "free days" too.  The website Free Museum Day lists the free days for museums in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and San Diego.  They also list museums in those cities that are free all the time.

For military personnel and their families, museums in the Blue Star initiative (of which there are over 1500 in the U.S. and territories) are given free admission (up to five family members) between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 

Finally, holders of a Bank of America credit card are given free admission to over 150 museums around the country on certain days each month.  See the website for days in your area musuems.

Free Medical Care in Northwest Ohio, via the National Guard

**This blog posting refers to a special event, but if you want access to health care in northwest Ohio, see this link to options in health care costs.**


Guardcare, a service of the Ohio National Guard, will be providing free medical checkups, including dental exams and screenings, blood tests, vaccinations,lead testing for children and pap smears, August 20th and 21st at the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, 635 N. Erie.  It's for all Ohio residents regardless of income, without an appointment.  For more information, call 419-213-4113. 

How did this come about?  The National Guard has been authorized to do work in medically underserved areas as part of their military readiness program for their medical personnel.  In Ohio, this means that the Guard has chosen two underserved area each year in the state during the summer months to provide free medical service.  This year, it was Lucas County, and was done in partnership with local health officials and providers. 

Ohio is not the only state where the National Guard has done free work in underserved areas.  It's part of the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) that gives reserves real experience in health care by providing services to communities, mostly in engineering, medical and dental work.  Here's a sample of IRT projects that have been done around the country.  Besides these examples, state National Guards may have projects of their own. 

The All-Scam Edition: Foreclosures and Missing Money

Today's entry features a story on finding missing money scams, as reported by the Toledo Blade.  According to an official at the Ohio Department of Commerce:

"He says the emails claim to come from the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, which includes his department's Division of Unclaimed Funds. But Goodman says Ohioans with money they've lost track of would never be asked to pay a fee or provide bank account information, as scam victims may be instructed."

Well.  When I was young, hustlers were enterprising enough to actually charge you for finding your money, not lie entirely.  But where ever you live, or whichever state (or federal agency) owes you money, you need never pay a dime.  Here's a rundown of all the entirely free places you can go to find missing money owed you.

Also, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library is having a program on avoiding foreclosure scams on September 13th from 6:15 till 8:15 in the evening at Main Library, 325 N. Michigan.  No registration, just check out how to avoid being ripped off while trying to save your home.

Finally, look out for this rip-off.  It's something terribly new, and even my housing contacts don't know what to make of it.  But apparently in the state of Nevada, ground zero in the foreclosure crisis, something called a forensic mortgage audit is marketed to people in danger of foreclosure.   It's supposed to protect your property, but may only empty your pocket.  Proceed with caution, and contact a HUD-approved housing counselor if you are in foreclosure danger. 

Could You Use Some Financial Coaching and Advice? It May Be Out There.

What’s a financial opportunity center?  It’s a place where low or moderate income people can go to get help in setting long-term financial goals, like savings and investment, from people who aren’t selling products.  They can help think about where you would like to be financially in the long term, and how to use resources in your community like job training, benefits and income tax preparation as tools to get there.  This goes beyond “emergency help” and works to get people to the next level, where they are planning on creating financial assets and growing them for the long run.

 In north Toledo, ONE North has created a financial opportunity center at 2860 Lagrange Street near Dexter for people living in north Toledo. The phone number is (419) 724 5640.  You can get “financial coaching” to achieve your financial goals, income tax preparation, and financial education opportunities, like the budgeting and banking class on July 13th, or the class on credit and loans on July 23rd. 

But Toledo is just one city with financial opportunity centers.  Other places include Detroit, Houston, Cincinnati, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Chicago, Indianapolis, San Diego and more.  They are funded in cooperation with LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), a national nonprofit, but they are run by local nonprofits in their cities.  Look for the local LISC office in your area and ask if there is a local nonprofit with such programs.  They can tell you if they have a local nonprofit partner that provides such services.

Sorry, but the TMACOG Program for Cars for the Needy is Done

The Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) once ran a program to help low-income parents obtain a reliable, used car if they needed it to get between work and home.  Sadly, I called TMACOG earlier this month and found the program had ended due to funding cuts--the federal money that supported it was not renewed.  I am not aware of any other auto program like this in the Toledo area, but will post one if I find it.  For programs in other cities, see this post, and check this out for Detroit/Southeast Michigan.

Chances to Make Fewer Puppies and Kittens

Northwest Ohio is fixing to fix a lot of pets, and stray cats, too.  Humane Ohio is repeating its highly popular No Father Day, in which neutering for male cats in May and June will be only $20.  You must, however, call 419-266-5607 for an appointment or make an online appointment request.

Also, Humane Ohio has a program for neutering/spaying all stray cats in the zip code of 43609 FOR FREE!  Again, call Humane Ohio for details.   Humane Ohio is also working with the Lucas County Dog Warden to spay and neuter 600 pit bulls this summer in Lucas County. 

But if you don't live in northwest Ohio, there may still be programs to help you out.  See this posting on financial help for veterinary care, including spay/neuter programs around the country.

How to Find a Neighborhood Stabilization Program That Can Help You Buy A New Home

When I went through my mail yesterday, I opened a flyer from the city of Toledo that announced our city's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).  This is an initiative funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that is aimed at holding together neighborhoods across the country that have been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis.  Abandoned houses are threatening the stability of these neighborhoods and threatening them with blight.  In the case of Toledo, they have singled out some neighborhoods--Highland Heights, Secor Gardens and Library Village--to offer a homeownership program that is not limited to first-time buyers.  It is limited by income--nobody can make more than 120% of the median income for the area (this is up to $73,800 for a family of four), and includes the usual homebuyer counseling component.  You have to qualify for a fixed rate mortgage from an approved lender.  But the best part is, you can receive a grant of up to 20% of the purchase price to help with downpayment and closing costs.  To find out more, call the Department of Neighborhoods at 419 245-1400 or see this website.

Better yet, you can find other programs like it in your hometown.  Nosing around the internet some more, I found a HUD website that tells more about the NSP. Funds for it have been distributed around the country, and while it has some general guidelines--for instance, 25% of the money must help people making 50% or less of an area's median income, and must go towards stopping the ravages of the foreclosure crisis--each area creates its own program within those guidelines.  Toledo chose to create the program I described above, but every city or county that received the grant money may do it differently.  HUD provides another site with which you can identify a city near you that has received the NSF money, along with contact information.  It will not necessarily tell you what you need to do to qualify--for that you need to contact the city officials--but it will tell you who to contact for details that apply in your community.  Like Toledoans, you might get an opportunity to have financial help to buy a house without being a first-time buyer. 

Car Programs for the Needy

Heard the urban legend about free cars for the poor? So has everybody. The truth is a little more complicated. The federal government, and lots of local groups who work with the poor, realize the importance of having good reliable transportation in holding down a job and getting a hold on a better financial future. So TANF (temporary aid to needy family) money has gone to financing local programs to help poor people get a running car. Not a new, fancy car of one’s choice, just something that will reliably work every day. The local groups getting the money can create a lot of different programs with that money: some have chosen to fix up broken-down cars owned by the poor person until they are in running order, or work with buyers to purchase donated, fixed-up cars. Some nonprofits have gone the IDA route, and helped match the savings of a poor person so that they can buy a used car.

While I cannot find a comprehensive list, there some national listings I can find, and they aren’t really exhaustive: one is at Working Cars for Working Families.  There is also Vehicles for Change. There's also Free Charity Cars, in which you put your need for transportation up for a vote.  Really.  Another is Charity Cars.  Also, the LA Times printed a national list of organizations that help the poor get cars, so check each list.

The secret is finding a program in your community. Some programs are administered through the local human services office (what was once called the welfare office), which can go by many names. If you can't find a program through the sites above, see this link to identify your state human services office, and they can give you the local contacts. Even if they don’t run a car program themselves, they may tell you who does in your area. Here's a word of advice: the qualifications for eligibility will differ from one local program to another.