| Stoughton Area Resource Team (START) - 2024 |
Amount Funded: $5,000.00 |
| While case management has always been a core component of STARTs services, the rising cost of living has led to a surge in more complex household needs. In response to this increased demand, we have expanded, refined, and enhanced our case management services.
Effective case management relies heavily on regular in-person meetings between case managers and households. These meetings address a broad range of topics, including budget planning, assistance with employment and housing applications, Social Security, housing advocacy, and securing basic needs such as food, clothing, and transportation.
To best support the long-term well-being of our neighbors, it is essential to ensure accessibility to our office and case management staff. As the scope of needs continues to grow, so does the importance of program development and expansion to meet these evolving demands. |
| Case Management Services: START continually receives requests for help from residents in crisis, primarily because their incomes fall short of covering basic living expenses and they struggle to achieve financial stability.
While START can provide short-term financial aid, such as rent assistance, the primary focus of our program is case management. Our case management services are designed to help participants overcome barriers to accessing essential resources and build skills toward self-sufficiency. This approach empowers individuals by leveraging their strengths and capabilities to improve their quality of life. By doing so, we aim to reduce the risk of homelessness, mitigate the negative impacts of poverty, and break the cycle of generational poverty for youth.
A case managers role involves connecting households with resources to address needs such as child care, education, employment, food, health and mental care, housing, transportation, and other basic necessities. Effective case management is achieved through regular in-person meetings, and involves gathering information to assess needs, addressing priorities or emergencies, evaluating risks, setting goals, implementing strategies, following up, and adjusting goals as necessary. Since each household has unique needs, case management is tailored to focus on client-identified goals that span short, mid, and long-term plans for financial independence and overall well-being.
START is seeking grant donations to support START operations so we may continue to be a vital case management resource in Stoughton as we work to prevent homelessness and overcome the impacts of poverty. |
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