Resident Support Services

The Resident Support Services Division is allocated grant funds annually through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program to assist low income residents who meet the eligibility criteria. This program helps residents attain the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency, as well as immediate life necessities such as food, shelter, medicine, etc. 

CSBG was initiated in 1981 and is provided through federal grant funding to aid in the reduction of the causes of poverty in communities. The grant requires that programs focus on services that will have a major impact on the causes of poverty in the community. Priority is given to those individuals or programs that assist low-income participants in activities such as securing employment, attaining education, making better use of income, obtaining adequate housing and emergency assistance, achieving self-sufficiency and greater community involvement, and participating in other related programs.

In St. Lucie County, these funds are used specifically for necessary supports associated with successful employment or completion of education that can lead to self sufficiency.

Please note that all applicants for assistance must attend an Effective Budgeting Workshop.

Other Related Departments and Services:

Transit Bus Service - The Transit Coordinator works with Community Transit to provide public transportation, Medicaid and transportation disadvantaged trips.

Veteran Services - A representative is located in our office in order to meet the needs of the veterans in our area.

Treasure Coast Community Action  - An advisory board that meets in conjunction with the Community Services Block Grant and is committed to building self-sufficient individuals and families by providing services in response to challenges of  diverse communities.

Emergency Support Function 15 (Volunteers & Donations) - Housing & Community Services is the lead agency during and after a disaster for volunteers and donations.

 

Other services include:

• Indigent cremations for unclaimed bodies.
• Administration of a program which oversees the state mandated share of county Medicaid Hospital and Nursing Home funding.
• Administration of funds for the Health Care Responsibility Act (HCRA).
• Administration of funds for the Care to Share program through Florida Power and Light.
• Community Services also provides a public access computer in the office lobby so that residents can complete benefit applications for SNAP (Food Stamps), Medicaid, Nursing Home Assistance, Social Security, Lifeline and more; search for employment, apply for unemployment, file taxes and access financial education websites.
• Community Services also offers Budget Classes and Financial Education to help those in need manage their funds more effectively.

Staff serve on statewide advisory committees that relate to human services that serve the community and participate on the Emergency Disaster Team and in the staffing of the Special Needs shelter.

One of these statewide advisory committees is the Florida Association of County Human Service Administrators (FACHSA).

 

To Contact the St. Lucie County Resident Support Services Division: 437 N. 7th Street Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Ph: (772) 462-1777 Fax: (772) 462-2094 Email: comm_info@stlucieco.org

All information included in these pages is subject to change and/or revision without notice.  If you find an error or broken link, please notify us at comm_info@stlucieco.org