Joan's Corner - October 2024 Update
See the newly added Halloween suggestions. Joan has taken the time to review the many options available for Halloween entertainment. After considerable researc...
Joan Koczor
The organizations that provide the services that we need.
We believe in human dignity.
Everyone deserves the power to live a meaningful life. Unfortunately, structural inequities create barriers for too many, closing off opportunities and fueling injustice. Our programs give individuals and families a seat at the table.
We facilitate growth through five Areas of Impact:
. Health & Human Services
. Housing
. Education
. Economic Development
. Advocacy
Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) was formed in 1969 to fight discrimination against the Mexican American community. Inspired by Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, we advocated for equity in education, politics, and labor conditions. Today, CPLC provides services to people of all backgrounds while honoring our Mexican-American roots.
With offices in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, we impact more than 2 million lives every year.
Shelter Services:
24-hour hotline: 602-269-1515
Healthy Aging at Casa de Primavera Senior Apartments:
1617 N. 45th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85035
602-269-6245
Services:
. Behavioral Health
. Domestic Violence
. Senior Services
. Substance Abuse
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is dedicated to a system of justice that is inclusive of crime victims and will remain vigilant in striving to provide the most efficient and effective service to the people of Arizona. The services provided to crime victims and the technical assistance and support provided to criminal justice agencies and other service providers is the responsibility of the Office of Victim Services.
The mission of the Attorney General’s Office of Victim Services is to promote justice and healing for people affected by crime in the state of Arizona. The Office of Victim Services is broken down into two primary facets, the advocacy and assistance provided to crime victims of cases prosecuted/argued by attorneys of the Attorney General’s Office and the leadership and agency support responsibilities that impact on the legal rights afforded to victims of crime in Arizona. These include: the Victims' Rights Program which provides financial assistance to criminal justice agencies, the Victims' Rights complaint process, and Victims' Rights Training.
The Salvation Army provides a wide range of elderly care and support options.
The Salvation Army passionately invites senior citizens into relationships with others through our many senior centers and eldercare programs. To help combat the loneliness, depression, and loss of independence that often accompany old age, we provide group dining experiences, coordinate activities, visit the homebound, and offer residential assistance for older adults in need of a senior living community.
Activities:
The Salvation Army works to stimulate the minds and bodies of older adults via educational opportunities, low-impact exercise, dances, lunches, fellowship, and countless other "young at heart" activities.
Residences:
To help ease the functional transitions associated with advanced age, we offer housing assistance and living quarters for the elderly - each cultivated with a loving atmosphere of help, kindness, and acceptance.
Adult Day Care Centers:
Because the mental and physical disabilities associated with old age impact both the elderly and their loved ones, The Salvation Army offers adult day care facilities. Here, older adults unable to independently care for themselves enjoy friendship, kindness, and monitored activities while their caretakers enjoy a much-needed break.
Services offered:
. Disaster Services
. Emergency Financial Assistance
. Food & Nutrition Programs
. Seasonal Services
. Visitation Services
. Christian Education
. Women's Ministries
. Worship Services - Sunday School
. Worship Services - Youth Ministries
. Worship Services - Children's / Teen
. Worship Services - Church
. Music & Arts Programs
. Worship Services - Young Adult
. Men's Ministries
. Day Camp Activities
. Latchkey Programs
. Residential Camping Activities
. Character Building Programs
. Referrals to other Salvation Army facilities
Phone for appointment: 520-705-6509
The Arizona In-Home Care Association (AZNHA) is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization that was formed to be the primary voice for the home care industry in Arizona. Whether it be best practices, consumer protection, education, or general information about our industry, AZNHA is the foremost leader for in-home care. We invite you to tour our site to learn more about us, our members, what we stand for and to find care services for your loved ones.
The State of Arizona does not require non-medical home care businesses to be licensed. That means there is no regulatory body or government agency in Arizona that oversees or regulates the delivery of non-medical home care services to consumers.
An effort to introduce legislation to regulate the non-medical home care industry in Arizona was shot down at the Sunrise phase by a Legislative Committee on December 9, 2010. The prospects of any regulation for our industry looks dismal for the next several years because of Arizona’s anti-regulatory Legislature. This atmosphere creates all the more need for the AZNHA.
In Arizona, anyone can open and operate a non-medical home care company. We believe the lack of licensure by the state creates an industry that has no standards of service, no over-sight, and no criterion of business ethics. The results are a variety of non-medical home care business organizations that deliver their services in a varied manner, exercising a diverse business ethic delivering those services. As a result of the differences in service delivery and business ethic, the consumer has been, and continues to be, vulnerable and the industry’s integrity suffers.
The Arizona In-Home Care Association’s focus is to establish and enhance the credibility of non-medical home care provider businesses for consumers by requiring Members of the Association to adhere to the Association’s strict standards and code of business ethics. These credentialing standards are available on this Web site for consumers and providers alike. The Association maintains that its standards and ethics are a common sense approach founded on principles of consumer protection and advocacy.
The Arizona In-Home Care Association (AZNHA) represents a coalition of businesses in, and affiliated with, the in-home care industry who are dedicated to consumer protection and advocacy. In 2007, the Association was created to enhance the image and confidence of in-home care provider businesses in the eyes of consumers. AZNHA accomplished this by establishing a Code of Business Ethics and Minimum Standards of Delivery of Services for all its members to adhere to. (Please refer to our Standards page for details.) AZNHA members agree to adhere to our Code of Business Ethics.
Further, Members commit to comply with, and maintain, the Association’s Credentialing Standards of Service for the delivery of in-home care services. In so doing, they are demonstrating their business standards to the consumer by becoming a Member in Good Standing of the Association.
Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)
DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision that every child, adult, and family in Arizona will be safe and economically secure.
DES works to promote enhanced safety and well-being for Arizonans by focusing on three primary goals:
Strengthening individuals and families
Increasing self-sufficiency
Developing the capacity of communities
Whether you are an individual who needs help, a potential employee passionate about helping others, or a part of the extensive network of human service professionals throughout Arizona dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families, we look forward to working with you to create a better tomorrow by providing support today.
Services available in Casa Grande: Nutrition assistance, medical assistance and cash assistance.
Incorporated in 1974, Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizens (PGCSC) is a non-profit organization designated as the Area Agency on Aging for Region V, which encompasses Pinal and Gila counties.
PGCSC’s mission is to assist seniors and persons with disabilities in Region V achieve and maintain self-sufficiency with dignity and offer choices of appropriate care by providing a wide range of community and home-based services.
PGCSC also represents the interests of the elderly and acts to advocate for change in public and private attitudes, policies, and regulations.
PGCSC provides a wide variety of services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and caregivers. These services are offered directly or through a network of provider agencies.
The focus of services offered is to help older adults continue to live independently in their own homes.
Services offered by PGCSC include:
Adult respite care
Housing assistance
Advocacy for seniors
Health care issues
Caregiver support
In-home care
Consulting support
Insurance/benefits assistance
Meal programs
"ALTCS: Health Insurance for Individuals Who Require Nursing Home Level of Care
The Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS, pronounced ALL-Tecs) is health insurance for individuals who are age 65 or older, or who have a disability, and who require nursing facility level of care. Services may be provided in an institution or in a home or community-based setting."
Use this site to learn about the program and how to apply. This is the long-term Medicaid option in Arizona.
"Fall Prevention for Seniors
The Visiting Angels’ Safe and Steady® fall prevention program can help reduce your elderly loved one’s risk of slips, trips, and falls at home and decrease the chance of serious injuries that could result in hospitalization, loss of independence, permanent disability, or even death.
Visiting Angels’ compassionate caregivers are committed to helping seniors remain at home as they age, keeping them where they feel safest, happiest, and most comfortable. Fall prevention is an essential responsibility of Visiting Angels’ professional caregivers."
This link will take you to the Visiting Angels Fall Prevention Program.
"According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the top cause of injury death for seniors and can impede their ability to remain independent — making fall prevention a vital part of aging in place."
Be sure to download their fall prevention guide.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) provides help with daily activities while allowing many individuals to remain in their own homes or live with their families by reducing the need for institutional care.
Services include:
adult day care
adult day health care
home delivered meals and meals at senior centers
home health aide
housekeeping
personal care
respite care
transportation
visiting nurse
Services appear to be primarily non-medical but may not be limited to non-medical for those under AHCCCS (AZ Medicaid). Check their website and call for additional information if necessary.
60 years of age or older, or
18 - 60 years of age with a disability,
and functionally impaired and unable to perform activities of daily living (ADL). This includes eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, using the bathroom and mobility (for example, walking or moving from a wheelchair to a bed).
Community Action Human Resources Agency (CAHRA) is a private, non-profit corporation providing for the identified needs of people and communities of Pinal County. CAHRA builds firm foundations in partnership with communities by stimulating family cohesiveness and self-reliance.
Case Management Program - low-income household issues
Dreamcatcher Program - homeless with children subsidized transitional housing
Weatherization and minor home repairs
Home Alone Safe Alone Emergency Pendants (when available)
Utility assistance
Rental assistance
Adult incontinence products program
Directory of Services:
Please visit:
https://211arizona.org/ - or -
call 211 for a directory of social services
211 Arizona is proud to offer a variety of free transportation options to the community through our 211 Transportation Hotline. Our current funding provides free rides for heat relief and for caregivers. Unfortunately, other SDOH (social determinants of health) rides are not funded presently, meaning 211 Arizona cannot provide residents free transportation for food, medicine, and other necessities. We are actively seeking funding sources for these vital transportation needs in our community and respectfully request the help of organizations which may be able to assist.
After determining the option that best suits your needs, please call the 211 Transportation Hotline at 1-855-345-6432, or dial 211 and select option 4 for transportation, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, to schedule your ride!
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low income households pay their heating/cooling bills, minimize crises, and make energy costs more affordable. The LIHEAP program is administered in accordance with federal regulations, the Arizona LIHEAP State Plan, and LIHEAP Policy.
To qualify for LIHEAP, the applicant must have an income that falls within the program guidelines. Priority for service assistance is determined based on vulnerable household members. Higher priority may be granted if someone in your home is a senior citizen (60 years of age & older), a person with disabilities, a veteran, or a child under six years old. Additionally, a benefit will not be awarded to any applicant with a credit of $500 or more on their utility bill.
The availability of LIHEAP assistance is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. LIHEAP eligibility is limited to once in a 12-month period for a Regular LIHEAP benefit and once in a 12-month period for a Crisis LIHEAP benefit.
Contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program hotline at 1-866 494-1981. The call center is available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The call center is available 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What is ALTCS
"ALTCS (pronounced ALTECS) is an acronym for the Arizona Long Term Care System. ALTCS is an Arizona Medicaid program that is designed to help fixed income seniors and other disabled individuals afford the care that they need. ALTCS pays for the care that you need after savings are exhausted. The program requires an application and typically takes between 60 and 90 days for approval. We are not the governmental ALTCS Medicaid office, but Senior Planning is happy to assist you through the application process along with finding care."
ALTCS Eligibility
The Arizona Long Term Care program is for seniors and disabled individuals that need long term care. There are two components to the application. The first is a financial assessment, determining whether or not the applicant can afford to pay for necessary care on their own. We are happy to go over your specific financial situation to determine whether or not you qualify.
The second component is the functional and medical assessment, which determines whether a person is truly in need of long-term care. Total need is determined by points with a successful application scoring 60 points or higher."
Senior Planning is another company providing assistance in applying and qualifying for ALTCS. There are several companies available in Arizona and they can provide useful assistance for a fee. ALTCS long-term care services takes careful planning.
This site is owned and managed by Ron Smith