Parent Organization: Operation Threshold
Location Information
1535 Lafayette Street, Waterloo, IA, USA
Phone 3192912065 | Fax 3192351518
The FaDSS (Family Development and Self-Sufficiency) Program is a supportive service to assist Family Investment Program (FIP) families with significant or multiple barriers to reach self-sufficiency. FaDSS partners with PROMISE JOBS, an employment and training program for families receiving cash assistance through FIP. FaDSS provides services that promote, empower, and nurture families towards economic and emotional self-sufficiency.
Services:
- Home visits
- Goal setting
- Advocacy
- Family training and counseling
- Family assessment
- Referral services
Eligibility:
Families who receive FIP benefits and have significant barriers to self-sufficiency are eligible for service.
Intake Process:
Referral to FaDSS is made through the Department of Human Services, PROMISE JOBS Program, other third-party sources, and self-referrals.
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: Yes
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating. LIHEAP provides a one-time payment to the heating utility department.
This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs, but to provide assistance in the payment of residential heating costs for eligible households. Households who reside in subsidized housing that are individually metered and responsible for paying their primary heating costs are eligible. Subsidized households that are master metered are usually not eligible to receive assistance benefits
Services:
- Utility payment assistance
Eligibility:
A household may qualify for assistance if the household’s income falls under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted on a first come/first served basis at a local community action agency from November 1 through April 30 (October 1 for households with elderly/disabled member). Complete the application and return it to the local community action agency. Applications may be available to be completed online through the local community action agency. Applicants must provide proof of income, Social Security numbers for each household member, and the household’s most recent heating or electric bill.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: Yes
Program: NEST
The Nest program is an incentive based program for income-eligible pregnant women, post-partum mothers, and their children up to 4 years of age. Participants who are pregnant and/or have infants under 13 months can earn incentive points for healthy behaviors such as keeping doctor appointments and attending parent and preventative educational classes. Parents with children over 13 months can earn points by attending Nest parent education classes. The points are then redeemed for incentive items ranging from diapers, wipes, bathing supplies, baby clothes, car seats and educational books.
Services:
- Group based parent education
- Healthy behavior incentives
- Baby supplies
- Car seat safety class
Eligibility:
Residents of Black Hawk County with income below 185% of the federal poverty level.
Intake Process:
Contact the Nest program coordinator at 319-292-1805
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: Yes
Website: View Website
Program: Parents as Teachers
The Four Oaks Parents as Teachers program is a free, voluntary, family education and support program designed to provide practical, timely information on child development to families. It provides information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Services:
The program offers 4 main components to its participants:
- Home Visits
- Developmental Screenings
- Group Meetings
- Resource Network
Intake Process:
Call for more information.
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: Yes
Operation Threshold offers Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) to help families and individuals find safe, decent and affordable housing. The agency also owns and manages rental units in both Independence and Waterloo. The purpose of Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRAA) is to assist people in securing decent affordable housing. Operation Threshold offers two TBRA programs:
1. City of Waterloo TBRA ‘ This program provides eligible participants with the full rental deposit and 70% of the first month’s rent for housing units within the City of Waterloo. All housing units must be inspected and meet or exceed Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Inspections are performed at no cost by a qualified housing inspector. To be eligible for this program households must be income eligible.
2. Operation Threshold TBRA program ‘ This program provides eligible participants with up to 24 months of rental assistance for rental units located in Black Hawk, Buchanan or Grundy counties. All housing units must be inspected and meet set housing quality standards. The amount of assistance received per household (each month and the length of time assistance is received) is determined on a case-by-case basis. To be eligible for this program, households must be income eligible.
Services:
- Rental Assistance
Eligibility:
Households in the Black Hawk, Buchanan, or Grundy counties who are income eligible.
Intake Process:
City of Waterloo Tenant-Based Rental Assistance:
-To obtain an application or for more information call Billie at (319) 292-1815.
Operation Threshold Tenant-Based Rental Assistance:
-To obtain an application or for more information call Mindy at (319) 292-1806.
Payment:
Self Pay, Sliding Scale, Financial Assistance Available
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: Yes
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a program established to help reduce the heating and cooling costs for low income persons, the elderly, disabled, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The program also fixes certain health and safety problems in the client's homes, maintains affordable housing for low-income persons, reduces utility cost, and reduces environmental pollution.
Services:
- Insulation in attics, walls, and foundations
- Furnace or venting repairs, and replacements
- Thermostat repairs
- Refrigerator or freezer replacement
- Water heater or venting repairs, and replacements
- Energy efficient lighting
- Other eligible repairs
Eligibility:
Households with an income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. If the household is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Family Investment Program (FIP) Assistance, the household is eligible to receive Weatherization services, regardless of income.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted year round at local community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP are automatically sent to the Weatherization program. Applications are prioritized based on need. Not every application for LIHEAP will receive services from the Weatherization program.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: Yes
WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. WIC is a federally funded public health nutrition program helping families by providing healthy foods, nutrition education, and referrals to other health care agencies.
Services:
- Supplemental food benefits for grocery stores and some farmer's markets
- Nutrition counseling and education
- Breastfeeding education, promotion, breast pumps, and support
- Immunization screening and referrals
- Health and social service referrals
Eligibility:
WIC serves women, infants, and children that meet income based guidelines.
Intake Process:
Contact the local WIC office and schedule an appointment. Bring proof of address, proof of identity, and proof of income.
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: Yes
Website: View Website