This quick guide explains ePass, a program that can help lower a family’s household costs. It includes how to sign up, where to get help applying, and what is needed to apply.
Housing & Utilities
Concrete Economic Supports Part 2 Integrated Care Rounds (June 2023)
Description
The NC InCK team and our guests discussed economic hardship and its impact of children and families during the second part of the Concrete Economic Supports Integrated Care Rounds event (June 2023).
Click this link for the June 2023 Concrete Economic Supports Integrated Care Rounds slide deck.
Key Takeaways
- The 2023 NC Child Health Report Card found that 40% of children in North Carolina live in poor or low-income households. Poverty, the stress caused by the experience of poverty, and the interaction with multiple systems is linked with multiple poorer health and well-being outcomes.
- This training includes information on accessing supports, including clothing, internet, utilities, WorkFirst, and Unemployment benefits. Use these resources in addition to those shared in the March 2023 Integrated Care Rounds. Viewers will learn how to support families through understanding and applying for supports.
- Family Navigators should actively support families in connecting to and enrolling in economic supports through walking with them to complete forms, calling access lines, and following up on applications.
Resources
- WIC Referral Form: Complete the referral form to refer families to WIC as a nutrition support for families
- More in My Basket Referral Form: Can help families apply for SNAP; refer families today!
- Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): Medicaid recipients are automatically eligible for the ACP internet subsidy (up to $30/month) and a discount (up to $9.25/month) on phone or internet service through the Lifeline program
- Unemployment Benefits: Find more information on what is needed to file for unemployment benefits
Housing Integrated Care Rounds (January 2023)
Description
The NC InCK team and our guests discussed housing instability, ways to combat housing instability, and connecting with housing specialists during the January 2023 Housing Integrated Care Rounds event.
Click this link for the January 2023 Housing Integrated Care Rounds slide deck.
Key Takeaways
- There are a variety of local and statewide resources and programs for families facing housing instability. Family Navigators can help families target appropriate programs, complete applications, and communicate questions.
- Navigating housing instability is challenging and takes a long time. Family Navigators can play an important and helpful role for families who are wading through the complex housing assistance system.
- Housing instability often impacts many other areas of a child’s life. Family Navigators should also offer support in food, child care, education, and other financial areas while waiting for housing to open for a family.
Resources
- NC InCK Housing Guide: Background on housing-related issues and resources in the five NC InCK counties
- Housing Instability Resource Guide for Educators: Information for working with school-aged children experiencing housing insecurity
- PHP Housing Specialist Referral Form: Make a referral to a PHP housing specialist
Concrete Economic Supports Part 1 Integrated Care Rounds (March 2023)
Description
The NC InCK team and our guests discussed economic hardship and its impact of children and families during the March 2023 Concrete Economic Supports Integrated Care Rounds event.
Click this link for the March 2023 Concrete Economic Supports Integrated Care Rounds slide deck.
Key Takeaways
- Poverty and the stress it creates is a systemic factor that is linked to negative outcomes across all core child service areas.
- Concrete and economic supports are goods and services that address a family's needs and can serve as protective factors for families, offsetting the impact of poverty.
- Family Navigators should actively support families in connecting to and enrolling in economic supports such as SNAP, WIC, child care assistance, housing assistance, utilities assistance, and financial aid.
Resources
- NC InCK Food Guide: Background on food-related issues and resources in the five NC InCK counties
- NC InCK Early Childhood Guide
- NC InCK Housing Guide
Housing Guide for Schools
The ABC Science Collaborative and NC InCK developed the Housing Guide for Schools, which is designed to serve as a quick reference tool for school social workers and others in North Carolina schools who may need to connect students and families with housing-related community services and resources.
Housing Guide
This guide will assist Family Navigators in providing support to families who are experiencing housing instability. It begins with an overview of housing instability in each of the five NC InCK counties followed by specific resources available in each county and across the state. The guide concludes by discussing how housing instability intersects with other NC core child service areas including education, early childhood, food insecurity, and legal aid.