Georgia’s Latino population has exploded over the past 20 years, with Hispanics now representing 11 percent of the residents of metro Atlanta. As the number of Latinos in the state continues to grow, so do the socio-economic disparities that exist for Latino families. One-third of Latinos in the Atlanta region, for instance, live in poverty, and thousands of Latino families face hunger.
Our Family Well-Being department professionals work closely with families to meet their basic needs and assist them in times of crisis so that they can achieve stability and self-sufficiency.
Goal
The goal of the Family Well-Being focus area is to foster stable, healthy Latino families.
This goal is advanced through:
- Direct Services
- Partnerships & Events
- Advocacy
This work includes the Latino Basic Needs Program, events including the annual Hispanic Health Expo (From 2015 to 2018), La Feria de Recursos Hispanos (2019) and advocacy to address Housing, Health and Hunger for Latinas. Through the direct services of the Latino Basic Needs Program, the LAA empowers low-income Latino individuals and families in need to achieve stability and long-term self-sufficiency.
Our experienced case workers, all of whom are bilingual and bicultural, meet with clients face-to-face every day to assess their needs and challenges and follow up with them periodically to ensure they have access to the tools they need to succeed. The department also provides community referrals and resources to our clients, as well as hosts partners on an almost daily basis to talk to our families about various topics, including family planning, financial literacy and child development, etc.
Family Stabilization Area –
- Direct urgent needs services:
-
- Emergency financial assistance (depending on funding available)
- (rent, mortgage, utility, security deposit)
- Food and clothing assistance
- Help with shelter placement and housing referrals
- Family and domestic violence crisis assistance
Intervention & Prevention Area – Adapt & Integrate
- Benefits enrollment assistance (Food stamp, Medicaid, Peachcare for kids, etc.)
- Individual Case Plan / Empowerment coaching follow ups
- Senior Club – recreational & educational activities (Only Friday -10-12pm)
- Referrals to internal resources & external to community resources.
- Assistance with child support applications, birth certificate amendments court forms, and simple applications.
Partnerships, educational workshops, outreach & events
- Bank of America Foundation
- Cobb County CDBG
- Corporation for National and Community Service
- DeKalb County CDBG
- FEMA EFSP Cobb
- FEMA EFSP Fulton/DeKalb
- FEMA EFSP Gwinnett
- Fulton County Community Services
- The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority
- Georgia Department of Human Services
- Gwinnett County CDBG
- Hispanic Federation
- LM AERO Club
- Mary Allen Lindsay Branan Foundation
Monday through Friday – 8:30am-5pm
Due to the high volume of families that come to consult with us, we have designed the Walk-In and Appointment System to assist you better.
Please be advised that each outreach center works differently.
For more information, see below.
Main office
2750 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta GA 30324 – 1rst Floor
Tel. (404)638-1800/1839 from 9-12pm
Fax: (404) 638-1891
How we served the public?
Mornings: First-come, first-served basis (especially for benefits enrollments)
Afternoons: By appointments
If you are unable to come in the morning, please call (404) 638.1839 from Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to make the appointments.
This office offers all programs and services, plus translations.
Lawrenceville Office
308 North Clayton St.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Tel. 678-205-1018.
Fax: 678-205-1018.
Financial Assistance: 770.676.2852
Public Benefits: 404.565.4844
How we served the public?
8:30 – 12:00pm
Closed – 12:00-1:00pm – Lunch Time
Open 1:00 – 5:00pm
Walk-in all day and if you need to schedule an appointment please call:
Tel. (678) 205-1018
This office offers all programs.
Dalton
508 E Morris St. Dalton, GA 30721
706.272.1992
Our experienced social workers, all of whom are bilingual, meet with clients face-to-face and follow up with them periodically for up to 90 days to ensure they have access to the tools they need to succeed. The department also provides community referrals and resources to our clients, as well as hosts partners on an almost daily basis to talk to our families about various topics, including family planning, financial literacy and child development. We also offer free parenting classes.
Family Well-Being opens Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m., and clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are unable to come in the morning, please call 404.638.1839 from Monday to Thursday between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. People without appointments should visit the Family Well-Being department before 8:00 a.m.
To set-up a financial assistance pre-screening appointment, please call 404.638-1839, Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am -11:30am. For public benefits enrollment, please visit the Family Well-Being department weekdays before 8:30am.
We offer Family Well-Being services in our Atlanta and Lawrenceville offices.
For financial assistance, clients need to complete a pre-screening form to assess eligibility. Eligibility will depend on funding requirements.
IMPORTANT: In order to evaluate if you qualify for the financial assistance service you must go through the pre-screening/pre-qualification process. We give priority to families with children in the process of evaluating applications. After pre-qualification, appointments will be given and supporting documents will be requested. Once documentation is complete and verify, financial assistance will be provided.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Low income families
- House/apartment should be your only residency/Lease or mortgage under client’s name.
- You must be willing to sign our authorizations forms to verify all documents.
- In some cases based – you will receive a visual inspection & Lead Based Paint Screening of your property.
- You must not have already received financial assistance from the Latin American Association in the last 12 months.
- You may be denied services if you falsify a document or have been dishonest in the eligibility evaluation interview.
- You must be willing to establish a plan with future goals to stabilize your situation.
- The payment is limited to one month of assistance for the period of the expenditure and must guarantee stable housing for the following 30 days
- The process can take up to three days depending on how fast the required documents are provided and completed – checks will take at least one day after the supporting documents and forms are complete.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE APPOINTMENT:
- ID that is not expired
- Lease contract (or bills for utility assistance) under your name not expired
- Family members information (birth certificates)/copy of SS#
- Proof of income if any – remember that we will call employer to verify information – income information is necessary funding to qualification.
- Proof of emergency: For example: an illness or death in the family, reduction in work hours or pay, separation notice, job loss, accident or been a victim of a crime, natural disaster or domestic violence.
- Landlord Business card – rental verification form.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE is offering in two offices (Main Office, Dalton and Lawrenceville Office).
BENEFITS ASSISTANCE ENROLLMENT
Who is eligible for food stamps?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):
Eligible persons include: US citizens, permanent residents that have that status for five more years, and legal immigrants with special immigration status (for example, refugees and asylees) that are low-income households.
Who is eligible for Medicaid and Peachcare for Kids?
Eligible persons include citizens of the United States, permanent residents with five years or more of residence in this country and immigrants with special statuses (for example, refugees and asylees) who have low income.
What do I have to do to apply?
Complete an online application at www.gateway.ga.gov or on paper with the local Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Send in required and verified documents.
Medicaid does not require a telephone interview; everything must be done via email unless the case manager has any questions. If this is the case, they will give you a call. Receive a letter from DFCS with their decision. You will also receive a Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids card. Once you receive the approval, you will have to choose a provider from the following: Amerigroup, Peach State, WellCare o CareSource.
If you are Applying for benefits, make sure to have the following documents:
- Client ID Number (if previously had benefits in GA, this number is the same)
- Identification with photo (not expired)
- Birth certificates + Social Security Cards (of anyone applying)
- Utility Bills (Light, Gas, Water) in name of the applicant
- Leasing Contract/ Form 809
- Check stubs/ Employment Letter/ Self-Employment Form
If you are Renewing your benefits, make sure to have the following documents:
- Client ID Number
- Identification with photo(not expired)
- Utility Bills (Light, Gas, Water) in name of the applicant
- Leasing Contract/ Form 821
- Check stubs/ Employment Letter/ Self-Employment Form
BENEFITS ASSISTANCE ENROLLMENT Program is offering at three offices (Main Office, Lawrenceville Office and Dalton Office).
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Finding affordable housing near schools and public transportation hubs is one of the biggest challenges our families face. Making sure that Latino families are financially secure and able to stay in their homes is a priority for us. We work closely with families to make sure they are able to pay their monthly rents. In the event a family is facing unusual hardship or an emergency, we conduct an assessment and offer rent assistance for one month.
FOOD AND CLOTHING
We were able to renovate and open a new food pantry thanks to funding from the City of Brookhaven. Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve seen that many families are experiencing food insecurity and it continues into 2021. With the new food pantry, we are able to have a larger food capacity and provide more families with food.
We will be serving families by appointment only each week on a first-come-first-served basis. Families in need of food can contact our Family Stabilization & Well-Being department at 404 638-1839.
The community can continue to support us by donating non-perishable food or making a donation so we can continue to keep the pantry well-stocked. We want to make sure that we can provide nutrition to those that need it.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)
Many families are eligible for federal benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) yet they don’t know it. If your child is a U.S. citizen, your family may be eligible to apply for food stamps, even if you work. Our social workers can help you determine if you qualify and help you apply for benefits.
PEACHCARE FOR KIDS AND MEDICAID
Are you looking for health insurance for your children? They may be eligible for Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids, which provide low-cost medical coverage. If your child is under 19 and a U.S. citizen, you may qualify.
To find out if you or your dependents are eligible for PeachCare for Kids or Medicaid, click here.
For older first-generation and retired Latinos, it can be hard to find social groups where they can interact with folks who speak Spanish. Our Club de la Tercera Edad was founded decades ago with these individuals in mind, and it’s still going. Due to the pandemic, the club is meeting virtually through Zoom.
For more information about the club, please contact Thomas Fuller at tfuller@thelaa.org
We partner with community organizations, health care providers, nonprofits and government agencies to offer our clients information, referrals and services that are beyond our scope of work.
