Community Services

 

MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Community Services in collaboration with other entities work to reduce poverty in low income families, aide households experiencing crisis, and improve self-sufficiency through financial assistance and case management services, educational programs, community resources, and local partnerships. 

ABOUT

The Department of Community Services, formerly St. John Community Action Agency was established as part of St. John the Baptist Parish Government in January 2008. The department is dedicated to service for all residents and collaborates with federal, state, and local partners in relation to education, awareness, and service delivery to improve the quality of life for St. John Parish community.

Community Links

Client Services

Client Service title More information
Mobile Casework Services Service made available to seniors and severely ill or disabled individuals who are homebound or without reliable transportation.
Local Transportation Assistance Assist individuals with RPTA vouchers for education, employment, and medical needs.
Emergency Medication Assistance Provides assistance with prescribed medications to individuals and families, who are low waged workers, meet the poverty income guidelines, or receiving unemployment.
Emergency Food Assistance Provides assistance with direct food purchases to individuals and families, who are low waged workers, meet the poverty income guidelines, or receiving unemployment.
Emergency Rent/Mortgage Assistance Provides assistance with rent or mortgage to individuals and families who are low waged workers, meet the poverty income guidelines, or receiving unemployment.
Emergency Utility Assistance Provides assistance with energy payments to individuals and families who are low waged workers, meet the poverty income guidelines, or receiving unemployment.
Local Employment Assistance Assist recently employed residents with work uniforms, supplies, or materials needed to begin work.
Client Education Project Provides assistance with post-secondary education or skills/competency training to individuals who are low waged workers, meet the poverty income guidelines, or receiving unemployment.
Local Medication Assistance Assist residents experiencing domestic crisis due to medical, employment, or economic emergency with paying for prescription medicine.
Local Food Assistance Assist residents experiencing domestic crisis due to medical, employment, or economic emergency with paying for food.
Local Energy Assistance(PDF, 495KB)

Assist residents experiencing domestic crisis due to medical, employment, or economic emergency with paying energy bill
Local Education Assistance Assist residents experiencing domestic crisis due to medical, employment, or economic emergency with purchasing books/school supplies for post-secondary education.

Community Programs

Community Program title More information
USDA Commodity and Piggyback Distribution Nonperishable and perishable food items distributed bimonthly to low-income families on the parish’s East and West Bank.
Atmos Energy Share the Warmth Program Supplements payments for elderly, disabled, or low-income residents unable to pay full cost of their gas bills, home heating, and gas line repairs.
Summer Food Service Program Provides nutritional meals to children 18 years of age and younger during the months of June to August.
Volunteer Income Tax Assitance Program Provides free tax preparation services during tax season to those who qualify for the (EITC) Earned Income Tax Credit.
Special Needs Assistance Directory Services Handle phone intakes to record and update special needs population information for directory in the Emergency Operations Center.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program(PDF, 495KB) State funded program assist low-income households with payments of their heating and cooling bills for their homes.
Homer Joseph Center Educational Programs The Homer Joseph Community Center is equipped with a computer lab, education classroom, life skills zone and lecture hall. Throughout the year, DHHS uses the center to offer:
Life skills classes for clients, Volunteer trainings to those who assist with programs, Training for program staff, LIHEAP phone bank & Bi monthly Food Service program
Health & Wellness Events Occasionally held to increase health awareness, education, and prevention.
United Way Emergency Food Service Program Assist residents experiencing unemployment, medical and mentally challenged conditions, or economic crisis with direct food purchases.
Disaster Sheltering and Residential Program Short term financial assistance stabilizes residents with income history who are at risk of becoming homeless or in transition due to catastrophic conditions.
Disaster Clothing Assistance Program Supplements clothing expense for residents with income history that is at risk of becoming homeless or in transition due to catastrophic conditions.

 

 

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