The WVCS Community Access to Resources and Education Program (C.A.R.E.) is a unique, ongoing program that provides safety net services for low income households and seniors in the West Valley service areas of Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos and West San Jose. The goal of the program, which is funded in part by El Camino Health and the City of Cupertino, is to help low-income households move out of poverty towards self-sufficiency and better health outcomes. It is designed to assist those who struggle to meet basic human needs such as healthy food, stable housing, and access to physical and mental healthcare, and achieves this goal through an array of services provided to our clients, including:
Case Management is a key component of C.A.R.E. that focuses on self-sufficiency with more stable and sustainable solutions for clients. C.A.R.E. case managers work with clients to assess the family needs by using an assessment tool that measures their vulnerability score. Based on this assessment, the case manager and the client develop a self-sufficiency plan with goals to address critical family needs.
Wrap-Around Supportive Services: Clients have access to a plethora of supportive services: in-house market-style food pantry and park-it mobile market; back to school supplies; thanksgiving and holiday programs; emergency financial assistance; financial empowerment program; and employment assistance. Also, clients are connected to additional services through our partnerships with a host of local government and nonprofit agencies.
Emergency Financial Assistance: West Valley Community Services provides one-time emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities to help families avoid eviction and maintain housing.
Workshops and Clinics: Clients have access to a wide range of workshops and education opportunities including nutrition, financial literacy, benefits clinics, health fairs, job fairs and more.
WVCS hosted Workshops and Clinics addressing the target health needs of the community
Mental Health Workshops through Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC)
Health and dental screenings through Tzu Chi Foundation
Flu and Covid Shots (Pharmacies)
Alzheimer Information Booth at WVCS (CareAcess)
MedAssist Information Booth at WVCS (County Program to offset their out of pocket medication cost for asthma inhalers, diabetes medications, or Epi-Pens prescriptions)
Hearing Screenings, Nutrition Workshops by County of Santa Clara Public Health, Nutritional Cooking Demonstration (ingredients from our pantry) by Idylwood Care Center
Through the ongoing C.A.R.E. program and WVCS, low-income families and vulnerable seniors are achieving self-sufficiency with more stable and sustainable solutions. Together, the case management program, the wrap- around supportive services, and the referrals are helping clients find the physical, financial and emotional health resources they need to be stable, cover healthcare expenses, learn about public benefits, eat more healthfully, and much more.
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