2019 Wellness

2019 Wellness Expo LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Thursday, February 21, 2019 Page 63 writing, job skills, budget planning, and connecting them with the Department of Human Services to get Medicaid set up. Operating through a federally funded supportive housing grant allows the case manager discretion to spend money for qualifying clients if it is justifiable, and helps to keep clients self-sufficient by staying employed or able to attend to training, classes, or school. The money may even be used to help keep families housed safely. The five categories the case manager may spend money for are employment, legal fees, child care, transportation, and education. In these categories, funds may be used to help clients obtain photo IDs or licenses, social security cards, birth certificates, divorce filing fees for those fleeing domestic violence situations, short term child care for those attending a course, gas cards, minor car repairs, and payment for GED exams, CNA courses or other short-term courses. The Pathway of Hope links clients to community services, organizations, and resources in order to help the families become more self-sufficient and be able to support themselves if they find themselves in similar situations. Resource connections are provided by Pathway of Hope for childcare and education, transportation, legal documents, and job skills. Oney said the program will also provide spiritual guidance if needed by referring clients to one of the local churches. With the support system Pathways offers more hope and clients are more likely to push themselves forward. The Pathway of Hope Grant Per Diem Program provides bridge transitional housing for veterans at the Lincoln Service Extension located at 307 N. Kickapoo Street. In Lincoln, the Salvation Army will be able to house eleven individual male veterans. According to the program brochure, “While staying in our safe and comfortable accommodations, veterans will be linked with an appropriate housing intervention and receive assistance in preparing for their future.” This program will help veterans with services such as employment assistance, applying for social security and/or VA benefits, links to numerous community resources and services, life skills training, assistance with finding and securing housing as well as resources to help maintain housing, and transportation to appointments. Both programs provide support systems that help clients become self-sufficient and financially stable. [Story by Angela Reiners and Photo by Mitch Douglas}