posted Feb 21, 2013, 12:39 PM by Tony Lewis
As the cold weather and snow settles in again, most Wyoming families are turning up their thermostats to combat dropping temperatures. For low- and fixed-income families however, we know that cranking up the heat is not always an option. As they struggle to pay increasing utility bills, many Wyoming families may be wondering how they will heat their homes and get through the winter.
Help is still available. The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), administered by the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), is accepting applications through February 28, 2013. The purpose of the LIEAP program is to help low and fixed income families pay their heating bills during the winter months. LIEAP approval may also result in approval to get eligible homes weatherized which can significantly lower the energy costs and improve the comfort, health and safety of those homes.
“We know Wyoming folks are hard-working and independent. It’s part of Wyoming’s greatness," said Brenda Ilg, LIEAP and Weatherization Program Manager. "We also know that circumstances change. Perhaps there’s been a job loss, or reduction in hours. Maybe a family is struggling with a new illness and mounting medical bills."
Ilg said, "That fixed retirement or disability income may just be stretched to its limits. Maybe it’s a newly-single parent just trying to make ends meet. It could be any number of life’s challenges. The good news is that these families don’t have to struggle alone. We’re here to help and we will accept applications through midnight on February 28th.”
LIEAP applications are available at all local DFS offices and the DFS Website, http://February 28, 2013. Applicants may mail completed applications and supporting documents to P.O. Box 827, Cheyenne, WY 82003. Applications may also be faxed to 307-778-3943.
4221. |
posted Feb 14, 2013, 8:12 AM by Tony Lewis
A guide to Wyoming's system of care and services for at-risk children, youth and families was updated in February. The goal of the Resource Guide for Children, Youth and At-Risk Families is to provide the community, and those who are involved in the interest of children and families, a comprehensive overview of the array of appropriate community services that can be utilized for children and their families. The guide describes a continuum of care beginning with prevention and early interventions. It describes intermediate interventions that are more intensive because of heightened risk factors or more immediate behavioral problems. The guide explains when in-patient or residential services are appropriate for youth and covers aftercare and other services for children transitioning from residential or other 24-hour care settings back to their families and communities. In all, there are five levels of care that are defined with descriptions of proven interventions. The levels and interventions are recognized as best practices by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Annie E. Casey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and others. |
posted Feb 8, 2013, 7:46 AM by Tony Lewis
As our elders continue to age and become physically frail and less mobile, they are increasingly dependent on others for personal care and household assistance. Dependence is greater for people with dementia or other cognitive impairments. Some elders may receive help in their own home by family, friends, or professional service-providers.
People living in long-term care facilities or certified family homes receive personal care and housekeeping services from staff or the homeowner. Unfortunately, elderly people may be subjected to abuse and neglect by their caregivers. Some elders may experience what is called “self neglect’ because they insist that they are “doing fine” and refuse help from others.
There is a continuum of behaviors that range from loving, supportive and caring to those that are emotionally, physically, and financially damaging, depraved, or deadly. In society there is a certain degree of tolerance for poor behavior, personal hygiene, and lifestyle choices. Examples include living in a messy house, not bathing on occasion, not returning a borrowed item, or a child yelling “I hate you!” Tolerance levels vary among individuals and families. Yet, there is a threshold beyond which it is unacceptable to yell and berate someone, manipulate an elderly person for personal gain, not repay loans, remove items from an older person’s home “because they will not need it anymore” or to live in unsanitary conditions. As the dysfunctional behaviors escalate and become more extreme, there is a threshold beyond which such behaviors are criminal. Examples include: financial exploitation; stealing, sexual, mental, and physical abuse; neglect; imprisonment; and abandonment. Help is available for those who may be a victim of abuse, neglect, or self-neglect. When reporting your concerns, you do not have to determine how bad the situation is, the reason why it is happening, or the mental and physical capabilities of the victim. You may remain anonymous. In Idaho reporting suspected abuse or neglect is mandatory for health care- and industry-professionals. In Wyoming everyone is mandated by law to report suspected abuse or neglect. Adult protection services or local law enforcement may be contacted to report suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect and exploitation (contact information below). Call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency. You may already be aware of the Long-term Care Ombudsmen Program. Ombudsmen advocate for people living in nursing homes, group homes, or assisted living facilities. In Wyoming the ombudsmen also advocate for those that receive professional in-home services. While the ombudsmen can provide assistance for a variety of issues, the reporting of abuse, neglect and exploitation allegations should be made to adult protection services and/or law enforcement. Make the call because you care. You can make a significant difference in someone’s life by reporting your concerns. Reporting Contact Information Eastern Idaho Area Agency on Aging/Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership Adult Protection Phone: (208) 419-9367 Email: ap@eicap.org Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Phone: (208) 522-5391 Email: ombudsman@eicap.org Wyoming Wyoming Department of Family Services Adult Protective Services Phone: (307) 777-3602 Email: dorothy.thomas@wyo.gov Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Phone: (307) 856-6880 Email: jamiel@wyoming.com Letter by Daphne Stoner, Driggs, Idaho Certified Long-term Care Ombudsman, Idaho Commission on Aging Submitted by Dorothy Thomas, Wyoming DFS, Adult Protective Services |
posted Jan 25, 2013, 1:35 AM by Tony Lewis
Wyoming’s First Lady Carol Mead and the University of Wyoming Literacy Research Center and Clinic (LRCC) are offering a new program to communities across Wyoming to promote literacy. The program is called Community Literacy Forums. The forums are intended to promote literacy initiatives in the state, foster broader community conversations about literacy, and let community groups learn about the resources available through the UW LRCC.
“You do not have to be a literacy expert to know that learning to read is essential to success in school and in life,” said Mrs. Mead. “To the extent that we can foster reading readiness in our pre-K children and encourage reading among our K-12 students, we are securing their futures as lifetime learners and productive citizens.”
Mrs. Mead and faculty at the UW LRCC hope that the Community Literacy Forums will be the first step in developing partnerships to support literacy initiatives, establishing a baseline of existing literacy initiatives, and exploring potential gaps of literacy support and services.
“One of the purposes of the LRCC is to extend the expertise of our faculty throughout the state,” said Dr. Kay Persichitte, Dean of the UW College of Education. “We hope that communities will take us up on our offer to roll up our sleeves and discuss with them ways to enhance literacy that make sense for them at the local level.”
Mrs. Mead and the UW LRCC will participate in several Community Literacy Forums this spring and summer. Communities interested in hosting a forum can make a request to Dr. Kay Persichitte at the UW College of Education. (307) 766-3145 or kpersi@uwyo.edu |
posted Jan 7, 2013, 8:23 AM by Tony Lewis
Family Service agencies on the Wind River Indian Reservation were recognized in December for being among the first tribal organizations in the United States to manage their own child support enforcement programs and for other notable social service improvements. Wyoming Department of Family Services Director Steve Corsi presided at the occasion with Northern Arapaho DFS Director James Trosper.
“We think the notable improvements and progress made by both tribal DFS offices are notable and worthy of recognition,” Corsi said, "and we are fortunate in Wyoming to have developed strong government-to-government relationships with both tribes on the Wind River Reservation."
State DFS Tribal Liaison Tom Kennah said he was proud both tribes have made a substantial improvement in child protection and juvenile probation and have greatly increased their face to face contact with children and families. He said the Northern Arapaho DFS have steadily increased their face-to-face numbers by 10 percent, helping them to get over the 90 percent mark. The Eastern Shoshone DFS also went up to 85 percent.
In other areas beyond child protection, Corsi said in the child support enforcement area, tribal programs are currently working to come online with the state's tax intercept program. He said the State of Wyoming and the two tribes also became the first state to work out sharing levels between state and tribal TANF programs.
Corsi noted the tribes now also receive direct federal funding to operate the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Both tribal DFS offices administer the weatherization program that also helps low-income families reduce their energy bills.
"It really is the staff and the hard work that they put into and the commitment that they have to the department and the community," said Northern Arapaho DFS director James Trosper.
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posted Dec 21, 2012, 3:55 PM by DFS Web
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updated Jan 10, 2013, 8:53 AM by Dana Ward
]
posted Dec 7, 2012, 1:45 PM by Tony Lewis
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is accepting
applications through midnight February 28, 2013. Don’t wait until that big cold spell
arrives. Don’t wait until those heating
bills pile up and become overwhelming.
Let us better help you by getting your completed LIEAP application and
supporting documents turned in today.
Applications are available at all local Department of Family Services
(DFS) offices and Senior Centers, and online at http://dfsweb.wyo.gov/economic-assistance/lieap.
You may also request to have an application mailed to your home by calling
1-800-246-4221.
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), administered by the
Department of Family Services (DFS), helps low and fixed income families pay
their home heating bills during the winter months. LIEAP eligibility is primarily based on
household size, income, and type of heat (natural gas, electric, propane, wood,
coal, heating oil). Eligible applicants
may also be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), a program
that works to make homes safer and more energy efficient. Eligible applicants may also be eligible for
crisis intervention assistance. The
first step in the eligibility process is to get an application and turn it in
with the required supporting documents.
There are several ways to turn in an application. Applications can be mailed to the LIEAP
Eligibility Office, P.O. Box 827, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82003. Applications can be faxed to
307-778-3943. Completed applications can
also be scanned and emailed to lieapinfo@thealignteam.org.
Applications can be dropped off at local
DFS offices and then forwarded to the LIEAP Eligibility Office. And, applicants in the Cheyenne area may
choose to drop their applications off at the LIEAP Eligibility Office located
at 1401 Airport Parkway, Suite 300.
Anyone needing assistance completing an application can receive help by
calling 1-800-246-4221 or by sending an email request to lieapinfo@thealignteam.org. Questions may also be directed to the LIEAP
800# and email address listed above.
Don’t wait for the New Year.
Resolve to make warmth, safety, and greater peace of mind a priority by
applying for LIEAP today.
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posted Nov 29, 2012, 12:30 PM by Tony Lewis
Wyoming DFS was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on November 5 for "achieving a 99% successful transaction for its EBT operation.
Economic Assistance Administrator Heather Babbitt explained, “This means that 99% of the time when clients use their SNAP cards, they can successfully complete their purchases using the same store terminals for debit and credit cards.”
She said, “The alternative is that the swipe does not work and they have to manually key their card.”
Only seven states were recognized for this level of performance, according to the USDA’s announcement. In the Economic Assistance Division, Babbitt credited much of the success to Ann Bowen in the state office. Every month she runs a report to see which clients are having trouble with their card. She then reaches out to them to train them on how to use the card, troubleshoot and order a new cards if needed.
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posted Oct 23, 2012, 2:37 PM by Tony Lewis
[
updated Oct 30, 2012, 1:58 PM
]
Working parents looking for child care in their communities now have a new online resource in Wyoming, provided by the state’s Department of Family Services. The Department’s Early Childhood Division announced this week it has a new searchable database of the State’s licensed child care providers, called the Wyoming Community Child Care Finder. The feature is a part of the Division’s new website, launched two weeks ago. “Access to quality child care is essential for working parents and employers,” according to Jillian Balow, the Department’s Early Childhood Administrator. “Finding a licensed provider ensures that health and safety standards are not compromised.”Balow explained that her Division also oversees the licensing process for all child care facilities in Wyoming. She said the more than 800 providers who are licensed receive regular inspections and participate in training related to the safety, nutrition and well-being of children. “We are interested in assisting families with finding child care that promotes children’s development, is safe and fits the needs of individual families. Connecting parents with local, licensed providers is the way to accomplish this.”In addition to providing information about licensed child care facilities, it’s anticipated that over the next few months, the merging of the state’s child care licensing database and the new Wyoming Community Child Care Finder will result in a single resource for parents, licensers, and providers. Balow added, “We are working toward a destination website with information and resources covering all facets of early care and education.” |
posted Oct 4, 2012, 10:59 AM by Tony Lewis
[
updated Oct 4, 2012, 1:16 PM by DFS Web
]
A report completed last year on the cost of adult abuse in the State will feature prominently in Wyoming’s 12th Annual Consumer Issues Conference at the University of Wyoming. The financial report is available at Cost of Adult Exploitation.
Lori Stiegel, Senior Attorney with the Commission on Law and Aging American Bar Association from Washington DC will be presenting on the report’s findings when she comes to UW for the conference on October 3-5. The report, which focuses on financial abuse, was completed last year by Dorothy Thomas in the DFS Adult Protection Program. Stiegel will also be a keynote speaker at the conference.
This year’s theme for the 12th Consumer Issues Conference has the theme of “Consumer Financial Protection Who's in Charge?" It will also feature other speakers on a variety of consumer financial protection issues across three tracks: Banking & Payment Issues, Regulatory/Legal Issues, and Investing Issues.
In explaining the theme for this year’s event, conference organizers said the financial crisis of 2008 continues to affect consumers today. That crisis led to several new laws, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, as well as the Credit CARD Reform Act of 2009. A new federal consumer protection agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, was launched in 2011, specifically to look out for consumers’ interests in the banking and financial sectors. Concurrent with the legal developments have been rapid advances in technology, especially in the banking area, where payments and money transfers are more likely to be made by electronic or digital means, than by cash or check.
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