We all know food insecurity is an alarming and ever-growing issue. We also know that if a family is struggling to put food on the table, they are also struggling in other areas as well. While some Partner Agencies have the capacity to offer different services to families; some can’t.
Knowing where to direct clients to receive additional assistance is half the battle and a tremendous help to the families you serve. Below is a list of resources you can familiarize yourself with and use when referring clients for additional assistance they might need:
- United Way 2-1-1
- United Way’s community services offers local resources for housing/utilities, food, transportation, legal aid, mental health, employment, medical/dental/vision, domestic violence, education and much more.
- Dial 2-1-1 or visit http://tn211.mycommunitypt.com/
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
- Federally funded program designed to provide supplemental food assistance and nutrition education to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children until age five.
- Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee
- Directory of resources and services for older adults and their caregivers.
- University of Tennessee Extension
- UT Extension helps Tennesseans improve their quality of life and solve problems through the application of knowledge about agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community development. They offer a wide variety of free programs, such as cooking classes, parenting skills & money management.
- Smart Steps
- A childcare payment assistance program operated by Tennessee Department of Human Services. Guardians must be employed no less than 30 hours per week, or be enrolled and attending a post-secondary education program full-time, or a combination of both, have a child between 6 weeks and 5 years, and have a household income below the 85th percentile.
- Families First
- A workforce development and employment program operated by Tennessee Department of Human Services. It provides temporary cash assistance, transportation, childcare assistance, education supports, job training, and employment services.
- SNAP Employment and Training (E&T)
- A program operated by a partnership with Tennessee Department of Labor and Tennessee Department of Human Services that helps eligible participants achieve their vocational goals and increase self-sufficient through funded education, skills training, and supportive services.
- Mother to Mother
- A nonprofit that provides vital health, safety and wellness items for infants and children in need.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- A federally funded grant program that assists low income households in meeting their immediate energy needs. Income eligible households are those at or below 150% of the U.S. Poverty Guidelines.
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- A program that helps low-income households with the installation of weather stripping, caulking, storm windows, insulation, and other materials as well as burner testing, tune-up, and minor repairs.
- Comcast
- Discounted internet service, no activation fees and no equipment rental fees, free access to Internet training online, in print, or in person. Individuals may be eligible if they participate in National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI or receive Housing Assistance.
