Quick Links: Information & Assistance - Outreach - Utility Assistance

Care Management: care@jcoa.net

The Care Management Department is responsible assuring that customers receive the information they need about services and benefits offered by and through the council on aging as well as through the numerous other businesses, agencies and organization throughout Jefferson Parish. This task is accomplished by having well-informed and dedicated staff to answer questions posed via the telephone, computer and in person.

Once a call is received from a customer requesting service or service eligibility information for a senior, an Information and Assistance Specialist begins the task of discerning what the senior may need. Usually this call results in a formal assessment of the senior needs. This is usually done by an Individual Needs Assessment Worker who makes a visit to the senior’s home. Every effort is made to complete the assessment within five working days. A series of questions are asked and forms completed during the assessment process. Following this assessment, referrals are made to departments within Jefferson Council on Aging and to others--depending on the needs identified during the assessment process. In order to access services, customers must be willing to complete the assessment process.

To continue receiving services, clients must participate in a reassessment of their need for services on an annual basis.

Services through this department include: Information & Assistance, Client Needs Assessment, Emergency Disaster List, Outreach and Utility Assistance. In addition this department assists others who wish to donate goods and services to needy seniors such as baskets during the holidays, medical equipment and other assistance.

Information & Assistance: help@jcoa.net

The primary purpose of Information, Assistance and Referral is to support all older adults and their caregivers by:
• Providing individuals with current information on opportunities and services available within their communities,
• Assessing the problems and capacities of the individuals and identifying the most appropriate services to meet their needs, and
• Linking individuals to opportunities and services—agencies, organization or businesses—that are available.

JCOA works very closely with numerous community agencies and organizations. In addition to our one-on-one and telephone contact with individuals, we utilize the resources available through the internet. Information and Assistance is usually the individual’s first contact with us and begins the process of accessing the numerous services provided or funded us and those available throughout the community.

Information and Assistance is key to connecting older persons and their caregivers with much needed information on services such as:
Adult Day Care
Benefits (Note: See description under The BenefitsCheckup below.)
Cell Telephones—Jefferson Handy Emergency Line Phone (J-HELP)
Census Information (Metropolitan New Orleans area)
Congregate and Home Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)
Consumer Protection
Elder Abuse prevention Telephone (504) 832-0684
Eldercare Locator
Energy Assistance
Government Programs (Note: See description under FirstGov for Seniors below.)
Health insurance assistance
Home Health Care
Home Repair and modification
Homemaker/chore services
Housing options
Jefferson Parish Depts. & Services. See Section and links below.
Legal Assistance
Medicaid Waiver Programs (home care)
Alternatives to Nursing Home Long Term Care - Home and Community-Based Services …Waivers (poster) (flyer)
Nursing Homes (Ombudsman Program)
Respite services
Senior Centers
SSI and Food Stamps
Transportation Services
Utility Assistance
Volunteer and Information Agency (provides information about numerous agencies and organizations within the Metropolitan New Orleans Area.)
Volunteer Opportunities- JCOA Opportunities - RSVP.

The BenefitsCheckUp is the nation's most comprehensive online service to screen for federal, state and some local private and public benefits for older adults (ages 55 and over). It contains over 1,100 different programs from all fifty states (including the District of Columbia). On average there are 50 to 70 programs available to individuals per state.

In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, BenefitsCheckUp also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information (typically the addresses and phone numbers of where to apply for the programs), and materials to help successfully apply for each program.
BenefitsCheckUp was developed to address a serious problem: millions of older adults are eligible for benefits, but not receiving them. Ranging from health coverage to supplemental income to help in paying utility bills, there are millions of older adults who could benefit from a wide array of public programs if they knew about them and how to apply for them.

FirstGov for Seniors. The senior citizen population is the fastest growing demographic group in the United States. Members of the "baby-boom" generation, the generation born after World War II, will begin to retire in large numbers around 2010. Baby boomers are already contacting federal agencies to apply for disability and veterans’ benefits. The unprecedented demand for services by this group is one of government's most pressing concerns in the new millennium.

An Internet website geared specifically toward seniors provides an outstanding opportunity to help meet those demands. Accessed via a World-Wide-Web browser, the Internet has become an important communication vehicle for obtaining information about government services. Most Federal agencies now have websites. Because the web is not always customer-friendly, individuals seeking information about a particular agency’s services may need to make an extensive search, i.e. “surf the net” to find the information they seek. Members of the public should be able to go to one comprehensive website to help them find the particular agency(ies) to satisfy their needs. FirstGov for Seniors was designed with those needs in mind.
FirstGov for Seniors empowers citizens to obtain valuable health and security information and services at one location via the Internet.
FirstGov for Seniors is one of several projects created at the direction of the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPRG). The Social Security Administration (SSA) agreed to create, host and maintain FirstGov for Seniors as a service especially geared toward senior citizens.

Outreach Services:
Outreach provides interventions for the purpose of identifying potential clients and encouraging their use of existing services and benefits. Jefferson Council on Aging’s volunteer Community Committees on Aging are charged with conducting outreach activities within chartered areas.

In addition the Care Management Department and staff of other departments of the Jefferson Council on Aging strive to reach these persons by:
• Bulletins to Churches
• Participation in Health Fairs and other community events
• Communication with the Social Service Directors of the local hospitals
• Outreach visits by staff to senior housing units
• Congregate dining sites in the various sections of the parish
• Participation in community organizations and agencies such as Jefferson
  Community Action Programs and Jefferson Community Development

Utility Assistance:
For many seniors the cost of paying the utility bill means making a choice between paying for food, prescription drugs or housing. Helping Hands, an emergency utility assistance program sponsored by Entergy, and Share The Warmth, sponsored by ATMOS, help low income elderly (age 60+) and handicapped persons (regardless of age) with energy expenses on an emergency basis. Customers of these utilities are encouraged to donate to these programs. Donations come back to other needy customers within the community. None of these donations are used to administer the programs at the local level.

Persons may apply for these programs by going to the senior center in their area, completing the application and providing necessary disability and income information and copies of their utility billing. Completed applications are forwarded to JCOA for review, approval and payment of an amount directly to the utility company.
 

Jefferson Parish Programs And Services Listed By Department: (Note: The following is information and links related to Jefferson Parish Governmental Services and Departments)

 ALARIO CENTER:
        CONVENTIONS
        SPORTING EVENTS

ANIMAL SHELTER:
        ADOPTION OF ANIMALS
        HOUSE ABANDONED ANIMALS
        PET TAGS
        RABIES INFORMATION
        RESCUE INJURED & SICK ANIMALS

ASSESSOR’S OFFICE:
        HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION – PROPERTY TAXES

BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS:
        APPEALING CHANGES TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE

CITIZEN’S SERVICE:
        CARNIVAL PARADE PERMITS
        GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND REFERRALS
        LICENSE EMT, AMBULANCES & MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION
        PERMITS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS (BLOCK PARTIES, FAIRS/FESTIVALS,
            RACES, WALKS, PROCESSIONS, PARADES, AND TENT REVIVALS)

CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES:
        ADDRESS DISABILITIES ISSUES

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
        EMERGENCY EVACUATION TRANSPORTATION
        FAIR HOUSING ACT
        INFORMATION AND REFERRALS
        REVIEW COMPLIANCE AND MONITOR TDD/911 ACCESS

CLERK OF COUNCIL:
        PUBLIC RECORDS (CONTRACTS, ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS)

CLERK OF COURT:
        BIRTH CERTIFICATES
        ELECTIONS  (CANDIDATES)
        FILE FOR DIVORCES
        JURY INFORMATION
        LIENS
        MARRIAGE LICENSES
        MORTGAGE AND CONVEYANCE
        PASSPORTS
        RECORD MORTGAGES
        REGISTER TRADE NAMES
        UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE

CODE ENFORCEMENT:  (SEE INSPECTION & CODE ENFORCEMENT

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
        AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP
        BATTERED WOMEN'S SHELTER
        EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR
        FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER ASSISTANCE
        FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TRAINING
        HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES
        HEALTH AND SAFETY HOME REPAIR
        HOME IMPROVEMENT FOR THE DISABLED
        HOME OF MY OWN
        HOMELESS SHELTER AND ASSISTANCE
        HOUSING COUNSELING
        OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION
        REPAIRS ON WHEELS FOR THE ELDERLY
        REPLACEMENT HOUSING
        SELF-HELP MAINTENANCE

COMMUNITY JUSTICE AGENCY:
         HOME DETENTION
         HOME INCARCERATION PROGRAM
         JUVENILE SERVICES

CORONER’S OFFICE:
        AUTOPSIES (SUSPICIOUS DEATH)
        MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS

CREDIT UNION:
        JEFFERSON PARISH EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

DISTRICT ATTORNEY:
         CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT
         CONSUMER PROTECTION
         JEFFERSON CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER
         WORTHLESS CHECKS

DRAINAGE:
         CLEANING INLETS, DITCHES AND CULVERTS
         MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF DRAINS AND CANALS

DRAINAGE PUMP STATIONS:

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
        EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS
        EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
        FLOOD PREPAREDNESS
        HOMELAND SECURITY
        HURRICANE PREPARDEDNESS

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING:
        JOB PLACEMENT
        ON THE JOB TRAINING
        SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAM
        VOCATIONAL CLASSROOM TRAINING
        WELFARE TO WORK
        WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA)

ENGINEERING:
        LOCATE SEWER CLEANOUT & HOUSE CONNECTIONS
        SIDEWALK VIOLATIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS:
        CHRISTMAS TREE /MARSH RESTORATION PROJECT
        COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
        DAVIS POND DIVERSION
        ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
        GENERAL PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES
        LANDFILL
        MOSQUITO CONTROL
        RAT POISON
        RECYCLING
        RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE AND TRASH PICKUP
        STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
        TIRE DISPOSAL
        WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMIT

FIRE DEPARTMENT:
        ARSON INVESTIGATION
        FIRE PREVENTION
        FIRE SUPPRESSION
        HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
        PERMITS FOR BON FIRES, FIREWORKS, HAUNTED HOUSES, & TENTS

GAMING REGULATORY DIVISION:
        GAMES OF CHANCE PERMITS

GENERAL SERVICES:
        PARKING AT THE COURTHOUSE
        SURPLUS PROPERTY

HEALTH UNITS:
        IMMUNIZATIONS
        INDIVIDUAL SEWERAGE SYSTEM
        PLANT INSPECTIONS (BUILDING AND FOOD)
        REGULATION OF BODY ARTS
        SEXUAL TRANSMITTED DISEASE
        W.I.C. PROGRAM (WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN)
        WOMAN HEALTH

HISTORICAL COMMISSION:
        RECORDS OF JEFFERSON PARISH HISTORY

HOME MORTGAGE AUTHORITY:
        LOW INTEREST LOANS TO FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS

HUMAN SERVICES AUTHORITY:
        24-HOUR CRISIS MANAGEMENT
        CONSUMER ADVOCACY
        COMMUNITY EDUCATION
        DAY TREATMENT
        EMPLOYMENT AND VOCATIONAL SERVICES
        EXTRA MILE
        FAMILY SUPPORTS
        FORENSIC SERVICES
        HIV & AIDS COUNSELING AND SUPPORTS
        HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED WAIVER
        HOSPITAL LIAISON AND ACCESS
        HOUSING AND ASSOCIATED SUPPORTS
        INFANT SERVICES
        INFORMATION AND REFERRALS
        INTENSIVE DAY AND EVENING MENTAL HEALTH AND
            SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
        MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
        MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE EVALUATION,
            TREATMENT AND  RECOVERY PROGRAMS
        PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
        PRIOR AUTHORIZATION AND MEDICAID MONITORING
        PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION LAND SUPPORTS
        RESPITE CARE

INSPECTION AND CODE ENFORCEMENT:
        ABANDONED HOUSES AND VEHICLES
        ABSTRACTING
        BUILDING PERMITS
        CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSING
        CODE VIOLATIONS
        COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE REVIEW
        DUMPSTER VIOLATIONS
        ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS
        GARAGE SALE PERMITS
        MECHANICAL INSPECTIONS
        NEW BUSINESS (ONE STOP)
        OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES
        ONE-STOP DEVELOPMENT
        PARKING, DRIVEWAY, SIDEWALK REVIEW
        PLUMBING INSPECTIONS
        SIGN VIOLATIONS
        STANDARD DESIGN & REVIEW PACKET
        STREET LIGHTING
        TAXI CAB PERMITS
        WEED AND POLLUTION CONTROL

JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS:
        COMMODITIES DISTRIBUTION
        FAMILY DAYCARE HOMES PROGRAM (FDHC)
        HEAD START PROGRAM
        CONTINUUM OF CARE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
        HOUSING COUNSELING
        LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)
        COMMUNITY CENTERS & SENIOR CITIZEN PROJECTS
        EMERGENCY RENT/MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE
        RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP)
        ELDERLY & INDIGENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
        WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM

JEFFERSON PARISH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (JEDCO):
        ECONOMICS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
        SMALL BUSINESS LOANS

JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE:
        A.B.O. CARD
        AUCTION OF HOUSES AND VEHICLES
        AUTO POUND
        BACKGROUND CHECK
        CRIMINAL RECORDS
        FINGERPRINTING
        FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSE
        FORECLOSURES
        JUNIOR DEPUTIES
        NUTRIA IN CANALS
        OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE
        SALES TAX
        SURVEY TARGET ARREST REJUVENATE (STAR PROGRAM)
        YOUNG MARINES

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE:
        EVICTIONS
        PERFORM WEDDING
        SMALL CLAIMS
        TENANT RIGHTS

JUVENILE JUSTICE:
        COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK PROGRAM
        CORRECTIONAL OPTIONS PROGRAMS (COP)
        DAY REPORTING CENTER PROGRAM
        DETENTION SERVICES
        ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM
        INFORMAL FAMILY IN NEED OF SERVICES PROGRAM (FINS)
        INTENSIVE PROBATION SUPERVISION PROGRAM
        PRETRIAL SERVICES PROGRAM
        PROBATION SERVICES

LIBRARY DEPARTMENT:
        BOOKS ON TAPE
        BORROWING AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS
        BORROWING BOOKS
        CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
        FILM PROGRAMS
        GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH
        MAGAZINES
        MEETING ROOMS
        OUTREACH SERVICES
        PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS
        REFERENCE SERVICES
        STORY TIMES
        STUDY ROOMS
        SUMMER READING PROGRAMS

PARKS AND RECREATION:
        ADULT ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
        ADULT LEISURE CLASSES
        BOAT LAUNCH
        FISHING PIER
        GOLDEN AGE PROGRAMS
        LAFRENIERE PARK
        LASALLE TRACT
        LEISURE SERVICES
        MEETING ROOM RENTALS
        PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
        PICNIC SHELTERS
        SWIMMING POOL
        TENNIS COURTS
        YOUTH ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

PARKWAYS:
        ADOPT A NEUTRAL GROUND
        JEFFERSON THE BEAUTIFUL, INC
        MAINTENANCE OF GRASS ON PARISH PROPERTY
        MAINTENANCE OF TREES ON PARISH PROPERTY

PERSONNEL, JOB APPLICATION PROCESSING:
        CIVIL SERVICE INFORMATION
        JOB LISTINGS
        J.P. PERSONNEL RULES

PLANNING DEPARTMENT:
        FLOOD ZONE INFORMATION
        LAND RESEARCH INFORMATION
        OLD METAIRIE COMMISSION
        SITE PLANNING INFORMATION
        SUBDIVISION INFORMATION
        ZONING INFORMATION

PUBLIC SCHOOLS:
        SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
        SCHOOL BOARD
        SCHOOL LISTINGS

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT:
        ACQUISITION OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES FOR PARISH DEPARTMENTS

RECREATION (SEE PARKS & RECREATION)

REGISTRAR OF VOTERS:
        ABSENTEE VOTING
        REGISTER TO VOTE

RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT:
        EMPLOYEE SAFETY PROGRAMS
        JEFFERSON PARISH LIABILITY CLAIMS PROCESSING

SENIOR CITIZENS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT:
        HANDICAPPED PARKING MONITOR (QUAD SQUAD)

SEWERAGE:
        COLLECTION AND TREATMENT OF SEWERAGE
        MAINTAIN SEWERAGE LINES

STREETS:
        STREET MAINTENANCE (UNINCORPORATED JEFFERSON)

TRAFFIC ENGINEERING:
         TRAFFIC AND STREET SIGNS
         TRAFFIC LIGHTS/SIGNALS

TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
        911 – LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES,
        CRIME IN PROGRESS, MEDICAL EMERGENCY, AND FIRE

TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION:
        BUS SCHEDULES
        MOBILITY IMPAIRED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE (MITS)
        PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT:
        APPEALS
        CIVIL SUIT INFORMATION
        NEW SUITS

WATER DEPARTMENT:
        MAINTENANCE OF FIRE HYDRANTS
        NO WATER
        WATER MAINTENANCE – LOSS WATER PRESSURE
        WATER SUPPLY AND TREATMENT