Funding raised for MetroWest HELPS will provide additional staff hours and safety-net dollars to handle this growing emergency. Specifically, the funding will provide:

• Mental health services, including counseling, and case management services to families who are experiencing economic distress.
• Eligibility determination and assistance with applications for local, state, and federal financial assistance, as well as for Hebrew Free Loans
• Emergency financial assistance, provided on an individual basis, as an adjunct to clinical services, and only after other avenues have been exhausted. (A financial assessment is conducted to insure that appropriate help is provided that will sustain a client through a time-limited crisis. For long-term financial assistance, clients will be referred to appropriate entitlement and budgeting programs.)
• Career Counseling, including career assessment tools, interviews, and self assessment to identify transferable skills from work, volunteer, and life experiences,as well as realistic goal setting and development of a career action plan.
• Job Placement Assistance, teaching specific job seeking skills, including cover letter and resume preparation, networking strategies, interview techniques, andhow to conduct an efficient and effective job search.
• And other services that may be needed as the crisis develops.