The Community Services department’s programs and services focus on assisting our community’s low-income and vulnerable populations. Scroll through the information below for detailed descriptions of each program. Don’t know where to start? You can complete our service request form here.
UCHRA is proud to work with the Association of Community Action Partnership.
Programs and Services
Click on any of the topics below to learn more about the programs and services offered through Community Services.
For more information, call 931-528-1127 and ask for the Food Program Manager.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal program administered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The Commodity Program supplements the diets of low-income individuals by providing non-perishable food.
If you think you or someone you know qualifies for the commodities program, please contact your local UCHRA county office for more information. Interested in applying for commodities? You can fill it out online or print it and bring it to your local UCHRA office. Access the commodities eligibility application by clicking here.
The U.S.D.A.’s Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program is available to all eligible recipients regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.
To see when the next commodity distribution is coming to your area, check out our events page. Click here to view the full schedule of commodities distribution events set for 2024.
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), is a federal block grant program funded by the Office of Community Services and administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS). CSBG provides assistance to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities by removing the barriers to self-sufficiency. CSBG enables agencies to provide a range of services, based on the needs in the service area.
Beginning October 2023, CSBG funds are being utilized for Information and Referral (I&R), which doesn’t require a CSBG application. Contact your local county office for assistance.
CSBG funds are also being utilized to provide hands-on training for in-home services workers, through a partnership with TCAT (Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology) and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). To learn more about this CSBG initiative, contact Jordan Herald at jherald@uchra.com
For more information on available CSBG programs, contact your local county office.
You can now get Ensure, a brand-name nutritional supplement and meal replacement, through UCHRA. We have a variety of flavors. These can be ordered from your local UCHRA office. The cost is $25 per case. We also offer Glucerna at $35 per case. To see more information and available flavors, check out the flyer!
The ERA Eviction Prevention Program is a federally funded program administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. The purpose of the Program is to provide financial assistance to eligible tenants to help prevent evictions and keep households that rent stably housed.
To find out more contact your local county office.
Through contracts with Tennessee Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), in-home services are provided to eligible Tennessee clients. UCHRA provides attendant care and respite to CHOICES clients.
To learn more about CHOICES or to apply for services, contact the Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD) at 1-866-836-6678.
Need help with your utility bill?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is a federally funded program administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to provide energy assistance to low-income households.
Click here to access the 2023-24 LIHEAP Application Packet
Haga clic aquí para acceder al Paquete LIHEAP 2023-2024
Contact your local county office to find out more.
If you are interested in our program, either email services@uchra.com or call 931-528-1127 and ask to speak to the SCSEP program coordinator.
“…operated under a USDOL grant and in cooperation with Senior Service America, Inc. SCSEP is funded by a $45.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. This funding provides 90% of the support for SCSEP with SSAI providing 10% match or $5 million. The SCSEP Program is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.”
In need of Homemaker Services?
The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), which is funded by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS), funds the Adult Protective Services (APS) Homemaker Program. The APS Homemaker Program receives referrals from APS to serve adults who have been abused, neglected or exploited. Services provided by the homemaker include: household chores, errands, budgeting and other services to enable them to live independently.
Contact the In Home Services Manager at 931-528-1127 for more information.
For more information visit the UC Recovery page or contact your local county office.
Van Buren County Head Start is a system of early childhood development programs serving three to five-year-old children from lower-income families in our community. Head Start should not be confused with daycare. It is so much more! Head Start is an educational and nurturing program that also addresses the emotional and physical needs of each child enrolled.
For more information visit the Van Buren County Head Start web page or contact the Head Start Center at (423) 881-5182.
Does your home need to be weatherized?
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WP) is a federally-funded program
administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). WP provides basic insulation and weatherization measures for low-income households to increase energy efficiency.
View our bid tracking sheet here.
To find out more, contact your local county office.
Click here to download and complete the Weatherization Assistance application.