Emergency Services assists customers on a walk-in basis in the event of a crisis situation.  Staff work with the customer to assess the situation, gather information and resolve the crisis.  Customers can then be referred to a combination of programs within the Agency or partner agencies that can provide long-term assistance to those in need. All of the services provided in Emergency Services are offered in a strength-based manner, with the expectation that households will move toward self-sufficiency. With the exception of Free Clothing and Attire for Hire, Emergency Services are located at Site I, 89 York Street in Auburn NY. Programs include the following:

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – 255-1703 ext. 105
  Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency is under contract with the Cayuga County Department of Social Services to process Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. HEAP provides critical financial assistance to help families and individuals in need heat their homes during the winter. HEAP season opens November 16, 2015. Services provided at 89 York Street, Suite 1 in Auburn. HOURS: M/W from 9 am to 5 pm, Tu/Th from 9 am to 7 pm, Friday 8 am to 4 pm. Walk-ins welcome, appointments preferred.

• Food Pantry
  The Food Pantry provides emergency food assistance to Agency customers to help alleviate hunger in the community.  The Food Pantry is unique in the community as it is the only pantry where customers can be served regardless of where they live within Cayuga County and they are able to receive food twice monthly as opposed to monthly.  Partial funding for the Pantry is provided through the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP) administered through the Food Bank of Central New York and Federal FEMA funds; however, the Food Pantry is dependent as well on the generous donations we receive from many local sources, both public and private.
  

• Homeless Intervention and Case Management
  Funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and from the City of Auburn is used to provide assistance to homeless or near homeless individuals and their families.  An Agency advocate works with the customer to determine their housing needs and how they can be best addressed to provide permanent, safe and affordable housing options.  Once the customer enters the appropriate program to address their housing needs, a case manager then works collaboratively with other community agencies and organizations to ensure that customers who have been provided with assistance can secure housing and maximize their potential to avoid a repeat bout of homelessness.

• Supportive Housing Program for Young Adults
  Funding from the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) supports the Agency’s Supportive Housing Program for Young Adults, ages 18-25.  The program provides transitional housing for up to 24 months and case management in a safe, stable environment where young adults can hone their skills and work on goals that can include completing their education, obtaining job readiness skills and gaining employment.  Program participants are housed in one of three dormitory style apartments that provide each occupant their own bedroom with a shared common area.  Case management is provided as often as is necessary depending on need.  The case manager works in partnership with other community agencies and organizations to ensure that program participants are receiving a wide range of strength based services to address their individual needs.

• Car Seat Distribution
  The Car Seat Distribution program provides car seats to families in need and accepts both in-Agency and out-of-Agency referrals.  A certified Car Seat Technician presents an hour long workshop that includes a video on child safety and care seat installation.  A hands-on demonstration is provided by the technician and the customer must also demonstrate proficiency in installation prior to receiving the car seat.  The program is made possible by an annual grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

• Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP)
  Putting Healthy Food Within Reach
  Cassi O’Sullivan, Cayuga County NOEP Coordinator, 315-255-1703 ext. 237The Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) provides a free and confidential prescreening to let households know if they are potentially eligible for SNAP, and for how much. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a supplement to your monthly food budget. The SNAP program, formally known as Food Stamps, is designed to be accessible to all that are eligible to participate. The coordinator also can help with gathering documents for the application, completing the application, and following up with Cayuga County Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that everyone receives the maximum benefit allowed. When its time to recertify for SNAP, households can contact the coordinator for assistance, as well. Lastly, the coordinator can help families sign up for reduced or free lunch benefits through their local school. Please contact Cassi O’Sullivan for assistance.   Prepared by a project of Hunger Solutions New York, USDA/FNS, and NYSOTDA.  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

• Free Clothing: 4 Garfield Street, Auburn NY
  Free Clothing provides gently used clothing and small household items to people in need. To accommodate as many shoppers as possible, visits are limited to once per week for 30 minutes, and vistors are limited to 3 shopping bags per visit (unless special circumstances apply). Current hours are Monday & Wednesday from 10 am – 3 pm, and Tuesday & Thursday from 3 pm to 7 pm. Our Free Clothing site is staffed entirely by volunteers from the community. Please be patient as occasionally we may need to open late or close unexpectedly.
• Attire for Hire: 4 Garfield Street, Auburn NY
  Attire for Hire provides gently used professional and work attire to people in need for the purpose of obtaining and sustaining gainful employment. Referral is required to Attire for Hire from a caseworker or other service provider. Current hours are Monday & Wednesday from 10 am – 3 pm, and Tuesday & Thursday from 3 pm to 7 pm. Attire for Hire is staffed entirely by volunteers from the community. Please be patient as occasionally we may need to open late or close unexpectedly.

  Donations are accepted for Free Clothing and Attire for Hire during normal hours of operation and limited to four (4) kitchen size trash bags or four (4) boxes 24”x24” per visit. Bags must be clear or white. Please do not leave items on the porch. If you have a special donation that exceeds these limits, please speak with a volunteer.

For more information, please call 315-255-1703.