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Help for Hard Times

United Ways 2-1-1 has compiled this guide to help people in Marathon County who are unemployed or

struggling financially.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE .............................. 2

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE . 2

REFERRALS TO CHILD CARE ........................ 2

ECONOMIC SUPPORT/PUBLIC ASSISTANCE .. 2

EDUCATION .................................................... 2

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES ......................... 2

CONTINUING EDUCATION ........................... 2

HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVELANCY .................... 2

EMPLOYMENT ................................................ 3

EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, PLACEMENT & SEARCH ...................................................... 3

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS ................ 4

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION .......... 4

FINANCIAL COUNSELING/BUDGETING ........... 4

FOOD ............................................................... 4

COMMUNITY MEALS IN SPENCER ............... 4

COMMUNITY MEALS IN WAUSAU .............. 4

FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS .................. 5

FOOD PANTRIES ......................................... 5

HEALTH SERVICES ......................................... 6

HEALTH SCREENINGS ............................... 6

FITNESS & WELL-BEING ............................. 6

MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE ...................... 6

PHYSICIAN REFERRALS ............................. 7

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ASSISTANCE .......... 7

HELP FOR ADDICTION ..................................... 7

ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS ......................... 7

GAMBLING.................................................. 8

SMOKING AND TOBACCO USE ..................... 8

HOUSING ......................................................... 8

EMERGENCY SHELTER ................................ 8

FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE ...................... 8

RENT AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE ........... 8

LEGAL SERVICES ............................................. 9

FREE LEGAL AID ........................................... 9

LABOR LAWS & STANDARDS ...................... 9

LAWYER REFERRAL...................................... 9

MATERIAL RESOURCES ................................... 9

INFANT NEEDS ............................................ 9

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN ...................... 9

PERSONAL NEEDS & HOUSEHOLD GOODS . 10

THRIFT SHOPS ......................................... 10

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ......................... 10

INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND MARRIAGE COUNSELING ............................................ 10

SUPPORT GROUPS ................................... 11

TELEPHONE COUNSELING AND CRISIS INTERVENTION .......................................... 11

PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS ........................... 11

SPECIAL POPULATIONS ................................ 11

MILITARY FAMILIES ................................. 11

RECENTLY RELEASED INMATES .............. 12

VETERANS ................................................. 12

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ....................... 12

UTILITY & ENERGY ASSISTANCE................... 12

UTILITY ASSISTANCE ................................. 12

WEATHERIZATION .................................... 13

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Can an individual get services or funds from United Way? United Way refers people in need to organizations in the community that have the expertise to best meet those needs. These organizations determine eligibility and the amount of aid given, usually based on government guidelines or established policies. These guidelines exist to prevent people from taking advantage of the system and still serve as many people as possible. United Way works to bring people and resources together to improve lives in Marathon County. We are committed to helping to establish a safety net to meet the needs of our community.

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE

Good Start Grants 715-301-1800 www.childcaring.org Provides financial assistance for income eligible families to help pay for child care, through ChildCaring.

Marathon County Department of Social Services

888-445-1621 (Income Maintenance Call Center) Screening and Application also online at: https://access.wisconsin.gov/ Child care assistance for income eligible families that are in work or work-related activities.

REFERRALS TO CHILD CARE

ChildCaring 715-301-1800 800-628-8534 (toll free) www.childcaring.org Provides a list of regulated child care programs based on criteria selected by client.

ECONOMIC SUPPORT/PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

Marathon County Economic Support Program

888-445-1621 (Income Maintenance Call Center) 715-261-7500 (Marathon County Social Services) Screening and Application also online at: https://access.wisconsin.gov/ Public assistance programs include BadgerCare Plus, Medicaid, and FoodShare (formerly Food Stamps) for eligible low-income families.

Marathon County Emergency Assistance 800-771-8420 (to make an appointment) Emergency Assistance may be available when families with minor children in the household experience financial crisis beyond the caregivers

control, and an emergency of homelessness, impending homelessness, energy crisis, fire, flood or natural disaster.

Wisconsin Works (W-2) Program 715-803-6679 Employment services and training to help eligible residents get and keep employment while earning monthly payments based on program participation.

EDUCATION

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Northcentral Technical College 715-675-3331 888-682-7144 (toll free) www.ntc.edu

Rasmussen College 715-841-8000 www.rasmussen.edu

Upper Iowa University 715-675-2775

www.uiu.edu/wausau

U.W. - Marathon County 715-261-6235 www.uwmc.uwc.edu

U.W.-Oshkosh BSN at Home Program 920-420-6690 www.uwosh.edu UW-Oshkosh offers a RN to BSN Program in collaboration with Northcentral Technical College.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Office of Continuing Education 715-261-6294 www.uwmc.uwc.edu/continuing_education/ U. W.-Marathon County offers continuing education courses including computer classes, business and professional development, and online classes. Please

call or log on for complete course information.

North Central Technical College 715-675-3331 www.ntc.edu NTC offers continuing education classes in several fields, including early childhood, human services, dental, agriculture, and computing.

HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVELANCY

College Prep Center 715-803-1152 www.ntc.edu Serves adults who need help with basic academic skills, GED/HSED preparation, computer basics and job skills, at Northcentral Technical College.

http://www.childcaring.org/https://access.wisconsin.gov/http://www.childcaring.org/https://access.wisconsin.gov/http://www.ntc.edu/http://www.rasmussen.edu/http://www.uiu.edu/wausauhttp://www.uwmc.uwc.edu/http://www.uwosh.edu/http://www.uwmc.uwc.edu/continuing_education/http://www.ntc.edu/http://www.ntc.edu/

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Marathon County Literacy Council (715) 679-6170 www.mclitofwausau.org One on one help to improve skills in a variety of areas including reading, speaking, writing, and English as a second language.

NTC/Salvation Army Basic Skills Program 715-845-4272 Free GED/HSED preparation assistance, keyboarding/typing skills training, and brush-up in reading, writing and math skills, at The Salvation Army.

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, PLACEMENT & SEARCH

Services available at the Wausau Job Center:

Dislocated Worker Office 715-261-8737 AFL-CIO/LETC personnel help counsel workers affected by closing and/or permanent layoffs.

Job Service 715-261-8700 Or find jobs on-line at: https://JobCenterofWisconsin.com Help job seekers find employment, identify and market their vocational skills, abilities and interests, and access appropriate educational and training programs as necessary. Offers computer access to allow job seekers to use the Internet in their job search, and printers to do rsums, cover letters, etc.

Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) 715-261-8760 Provides a variety of services designed to help people with disabilities by providing individualized services that include vocational guidance and counseling, and assistive technology.

Wisconsin Works (W-2) Program 715-261-8700 (Job Center) W-2 is Wisconsins Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides employment services and training to help eligible residents get and keep employment. Work experience positions provide a monthly income based on participation.

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) 715-365-1501 Funds job-related training for qualifying students who are training or re-training for employment. May also help pay for tuition, fees, books and supplies for eligible participants.

Veterans Services 715-261-8726 Job placement assistance and case management for at-risk veterans.

College Prep Center 715-803-1152 www.ntc.edu The College Prep Center at Northcentral Technical College provides instruction to help adult students prepare for employment or employment exams, and achieve their personal and vocational goals.

Employment Program 715-842-8390 Employability assistance including rsum writing, interview assistance, and job readiness training is provided in Hmong, Lao and English, through the Hmong American Center.

FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET)

888-445-1621 (Intake/Ref