Hosted Programs

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMS

South County Community Services (SSCS) partners with the Area Agency on Aging IIIA on a regular basis to promote and host several free evidence based programs for seniors and their caregivers:

Matter of Balance — designed to reduce fear of falling and increasing physical activity levels

Creating Confident Caregivers — for persons providing direct care for loved ones with memory loss or dementia

PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) — to help with day-to-day management of chronic health issues such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, depression, fibromyalgia or heart disease

Other special opportunities to exercise, learn and socialize with friends are available throughout the year.

SENIOR SERVICES DINING VOUCHERS AND COMMODITIES

South County Community Services (SCCS) partners with Senior Services and Loaves and Fishes in order to deliver commodity foods to area seniors (whose income is 130% of the federal poverty guidelines or below) on a monthly basis. Bags are packed and delivered by volunteers and typically include cereal, juice, canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, milk, pasta, protein, and cheese — totaling about $50 worth of food — and a monthly recipe with nutrition tips.

SCCS also partners with Senior Services in order to act as a purchasing site for area seniors who are or wish to be involved in the Restaurant Dining Program. This program is designed to give seniors low-cost, nutritious dining options at area restaurants. Participating members may buy vouchers at SCCS for a suggested donation of $3.00, which may be redeemed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at local restaurants.

FREE LEGAL CLINIC

South County Community Services hosts short legal appointments with a lawyer who volunteers time on the first Wednesday of every month in order to meet with area residents who need legal advice. Appointments are scheduled by SCCS staff during regular office hours. This service is kindly provided by Grossman, Horne & Cannizzaro PC – Attorneys at Law

FOOTWORKS FOOT CARE CLINIC

South County Community Services hosts the FOOTWORKS Foot Care Clinic, a low-cost opportunity for area seniors to receive care during a short appointment with a licensed Podiatrist. This includes routine foot care: nail trimming, cleansing, and callus care, and typically costs $28. To schedule an appointment, please call Kathleen at 260-370-0489.

WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)

Every other Thursday a representative from WIC comes to South County Community Services in order to meet with mothers who are in the WIC program (which provides nutritional supplements to low and moderate income mothers and expecting mothers in order to prevent nutritional deficits). This counts as one of the required office visits and may be scheduled through the local WIC office at 269-488-3732.

VETERAN’S SERVICES

South County Community Services hosts a Veteran’s Services Navigator every Thursday from 9am to 1pm in order to:

• help veterans navigate the VA Healthcare System
• help veterans obtain transportation to and from the VA in Battle Creek
• help veterans find emergency financial assistance, working with SCCS, DHHS, and the Kalamazoo County Veterans Service Office
• help veterans file for benefit assistance

Who is eligible?

• A veteran of any branch of the Armed Forces who has served honorably — DD-214 required
• A veteran’s dependent
• An active duty service member
• A member of the Reserves or National Guard
• A surviving spouse or child of a deceased veteran

MICHIGAN MEDICARE/MEDICAID ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (MMAP)

South County Community Services hosts a Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program counselor, who has been trained in health care benefits counseling. This includes Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance products. MMAP counselors are not connected with any insurance company, and therefore provide unbiased information. MMAP volunteers are glad to schedule personal appointments with area residents who need help with health benefit decisions. These appointments usually take place at SCCS or some other convenient public place.