Community Support Office

The Community Services Block Grant provides funds to the State of Georgia and, in turn, awards funding to Clayton County Community Services Authority to address the reduction of poverty, revitalization of low-income communities, and empowerment of low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient. Georgia’s Community Services Block Grant is administered by the Department of Human Services. Clayton County Community Services Authority, Inc. also receives funding from Clayton County Government and the United Way. We also partner with different organzations and businesses to ensure the clients we serve have access to resources and assistance.

 

Clayton County CSA Office of Community Support aims to help families succeed.  Our approach is holistic as we believe the road to sustainable self-sufficiency is predicated on our ability to address significant stressors in a client’s life.  Our partnerships and collaborate efforts assist us in providing good programming and resources, which are paramount for what we do.  Our most important collaborative partnership is with the client, who specifies the need, but also assists in building the plan to reach their goals.  There is no greater reward for us than to see the families we help push forward and thrive – for when they thrive, our community thrives.

Isaiah Zimmerman, Director, Office of Community Support, Clayton County CSA  

 

The Community Support Component of the Agency provides emergency short term financial assistance along with case management services and resource referrals to families or individuals faced with crisis situations( i.e. evictions, foreclosures, utility disconnections and emergency food assistance, etc) in an attempt to help families move towards self-sufficiency.

Through Case Management, families or individuals are provided financial counseling in consumer education and budgetary management along with referrals to other support service agencies, including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Benefits, and Unemployment Benefits. Individuals and families are also provided employment counseling and referral services to training, educational, and vocational rehabilitation training services that will enhance their abilities to become self-sufficient.

Emergency Assistance / Case Management

CSA offers a number of emergency services, including assistance with food, clothing, shelter, and prescriptions.  We offer aid and guidance on a broad spectrum of issues, as well as offer counsel on matters such as home management, budgeting, energy, conservation, mortgages, housing, and more.

If you are interested in Emergency Assistance / Case Management, please contact us at rentalassistance@claytoncountycsa.org.

Vocational Training Classes-Education/Skills Development Counseling

Referral and application assistance for the provision of skills/work experience training provided in support of employment establishment, retention, and/or advancement.

Referrals to community partners for goods/services, including job fairs by appointment, promoting the establishment and/or improvement of employment. If you are interested in Vocational Training Classes or Development Counseling, please contact us at admin@claytoncountycsa.org.

Many Thanks to Our Partners

On behalf of the nearly 4,000 people who walk through our doors each year, we say thank you to our generous Community Partners. Thanks to these partners, we are building community and providing much needed services and programs. Contributions from Community Partners come in many forms–in-kind donations, special pricing and large financial donations, participating in our job fairs, program development, volunteering, and each one is of extraordinary value to us and our community.

Please contact Dr. Kindred our ExecutiveDirector at  dr.rkindred@claytoncountycsa.org or Isaiah Zimmerman  our Community Support Director,  at izimmerman@claytoncountycsa.org to discuss how we can collaborate for our community

Child Support

Whether you are receiving or paying child support, it's important to remember that the money is meant for the welfare of your child or children. Though there may be challenges along the way, it can mean alot your child's well-being and happiness if their parents act responsibly and work together to ensure they get everything they need.

This website has assistance for both parents:

Financial Coaching/Counseling

Counseling services are focused on increasing household income and/or reducing household expenses. This may include budget counseling, credit counseling, counseling associated with housing assistance approval, etc. If you are interested in Financial Coaching/Counseling, please click the following link  to sign up https://moneysmartcbi.fdic.gov.

Civic Engagement and Community Involvement

Services are provided to promote an improved community reputation (criminal record expungement, child support correction guidance, drivers license correction guidance) and/or involvement in the community to promote self-sufficiency. If you are interested in becoming one of our corporate sponsors or partners, please contact us at admin@claytoncountycsa.org.

Georgia DCSS Fatherhood Program

The Fatherhood program is administered by Georgia DCSS to help a noncustodial parent avoid having to appear before a judge in court. It’s an employment-based service that focuses on providing services that can help the noncustodial parent achieve self-sufficiency. It also encourages parents to increase emotional, parental and financial involvement in the lives of the noncustodial parent’s children.

Services offered:

  • Driver’s License Reinstatement
  • Child support Services
  • GED Enrollment
  • Job Training
  • Job Search/Placement
  • Volunteer Work Opportunities
  • Support Order Modification, where applicable

More importantly, we also educate these parents on the Enforcement process, including income withholding, license suspension process,outreach services, etc. We do this to ensure that they understand theimportance of paying support as ordered as well as the consequencesof not complying. To learn more visit the link below

Money Management

7 Steps to Build a Household Budget | Money Management Strategies

Like driving a car or playing an instrument, the skill of managing money must be learned–and it’s never too late to start! Doing so usually pays immediate benefits. People might not earn more money if they budget well, but they will be able to use the money they do have wisely.

Someone who manages their finances responsibly has peace of mind and knows how to:

  • Pay their living expenses
  • Keep debts to a manageable level
  • Save for the extras that make life enjoyable
  • Avoid constant money anxiety

For more information on money management visit the "My money Coach " website below:

The steps to building a budget involve:

  1. Setting Goals
  2. Identifying Income and Expenses
  3. Separating Needs from Wants
  4. Designing Your Budget
  5. Putting Your Plan Into Action
  6. Managing Seasonal Expenses
  7. Looking Ahead

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