Volunteers receive stipends, transportation, physical exams and meals. Retired Senior Volunteer Program Older citizens volunteer in areas such as counseling, help with income tax returns, adult basic education, home visitation and transportation. Senior Companion Program Senior volunteers provide in home or community support for older adults and persons with physical, mental or emotional impairments. Temporary income for families in which children have been deprived of support due to a parent s death, incapacity, absence or unemployment. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Financial assistance to pay winter heating bills and cooling bills in summer months for low income families.
Help is sometimes available to avoid utility cut-off.
Applications are taken for brief periods prior to winter and summer seasons. Check with your DHS county office for application dates and forms. OCA also provides special protection and advocacy services for individuals with developmental disabilities who are residents of a DHS-operated facility, former residents of DHS facilities or Hissom Class Members. Ombudsmen help these individuals resolve problems related to DHS services and advocate for them in other matters. The office investigates allegations of caretaker abuses at DHS facilities and in residential placements supervised by the Department.