Health and Human Services 20 N. Main St. Room 161

Brooksville, FL 34601 352-540-4338 352-540-4339 fax

www.hernandocounty.us/ healthandhumanservices

A Publication of the Hernando County Department of Health and Human Services Health Observances & Information————— Page 1 Education & Information—————————-Pages 2 Health Information——————————— Pages 3-5 Housing Information——————————-- Pages 6 - 8 Food & More—————————————— Pages 9 - 11 Events Around Town & More————————Page 12 Support & More————————————— Pages 13 Veterans Information——————————– Pages 14-15

June Health Observances National Safety Month National Safety Council Phone (800) 621-7615 Fax (630) 2851315 http://www.nsc.org/pages/home.aspx AIDS Awareness Month AIDS.gov Phone (800)448-0440 http://aids.gov/index.html  

Public Benefits DID YOU APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION IN THE PAST 2 YEARS?

Are you disabled or not fluent in English?

Did you lose or get denied benefits for reasons you think are due to your disability or language problem?

If you answered “yes” to ALL of the above questions,

Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida may be able to help.

Phone:(407) 841-7777 ext. 2110

The federal government recently advised the State of Florida that it is not treating persons with disabilities and persons who are not fluent in English fairly in the Unem-ployment Compensation program (now called Reemployment Assistance). If you are one of those people, you may be able to complain to the government about what happened to you and get the benefits you lost.

Education & Information

Open House June 21, 2013

11:00 am to 2:00 pm Tour the facility to learn more about free services which include:

Preview of what’s being planned for the future! Light refreshments will be served

Please RSVP to jwhitely@ccdosp.org or 352-686-9897 ext 22

Foundation of Life Pregnancy Center

8370 Forest Oaks Blvd Spring Hill, FL 34601

Pregnancy Test Limited ultra-sound Infant, baby & maternity supplies

Need Help Paying for

Child Care?

The average cost of full-time child care for one child is over $3,000 a year, consuming as much as 60% of parents' salaries and wages. Many families find it difficult to afford and must choose between working in our community or staying at home with their child(ren).

School readiness funds pay a portion of child care costs for low to moderate income earning families so that they may seek and maintain employment to support their families. Eligible families are assessed a fee on a sliding fee scale according to income.

The children in School Readiness programs are assisted through screenings, assessments, and developmentally-appropriate early learning programs to prepare them for school. School readiness programs serve children birth to eight and some school-age children receive services before and after school.

Enrollment into the School Readiness program occur when funding allows; otherwise, the Coalition maintains a wait list for services and families are enrolled when funding becomes available. For further information or ques-tions contact us at (727) 233-8291.

Crescent Community Clinic Offers services in their primary health, dental and mental health clinics to uninsured, indigent or low to moderate income adults ages 18 to 64. New patients must go to their website at: www.crescentclinic.org to download and complete an application. The completed application will be evaluated for income eligibility. Patients will then be given an appointment to sign paperwork and for medical services. Established patients must call the clinic at 352-610-9116 on Wednesday to request an appointment to be seen on the next available Saturday. The Primary Health Clinic is open Wednesday and Satur-day for scheduled appointments only. Location: 5244 Commercial Way (US 19) Spring Hill 34606 Phone: 352-610-9916

For more information visit:

www.crescentclinic.org

Spring Hill Regional Hospital/Medical Arts Building 10441 Quality Drive Spring Hill, FL 34609 352-684-7568 Thursday 11:00 a.m. to Noon Brooksville Regional Hospital/Medical Arts Building 17222 Hospital Drive Brooksville, FL 34601 352-544-6022 Thursday 11:00am to 12:00pm Noon Ridge Manor Library 6457 Windmere Road Brooksville, FL 34602 352-754-4443 Wednesday By appointment only Quarry Golf Course Enrichment Center NEW LOCATION 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34601 352-544-5900 Wednesday By appointment only

Volunteers helping

seniors with their health insurance option choices.

Please call toll free 1-800-96-ELDER

Health Information & More

The Department of Children & Families, ACCESS Florida Program has several programs that can help Florida families. They include Food stamps, Cash Assistance, Low or No Cost Health Care, or Help paying for Medicare Premiums. Each program has its own eligibility rules, but you may apply for one or all using the same ap-plication. Simply log onto ACCESS Florida at any time from any computer at: www.myflorida.com/accessflorida . For questions, please call the cus-tomer service call center or visit their storefront location.

Customer Service Center-Store Front * Department of Children and Families

661 S. Broad Street, Brooksville

Computer access, assistance, copying and fax-ing can also be obtained from any of the ACCESS Community Partners listed below or visit the website for a complete list.

Health and Human Services 20 N. Main Street, Rm 161, Brooksville Career Central 7361 Forest Oaks Boulevard, Spring Hill All Hernando County Libraries American Senior Financial * 4026 Commercial Way, Spring Hill 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon Mid Florida Community Services * RSVP Building 820 Kennedy Blvd., Brooksville Monday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Crescent Community Clinic * 5244 Commercial Way (US19) Spring Hill, FL 34606 Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

*Sites that provide a direct line for telephone interviews*

Housing Information

Mandatory HUD Homebuyer Class

Saturday, June 22, 2013 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Hernando County Cooperative Extension

1653 Blaise Dr. Brooksville Call Maureen, Aimee or Maria to reserve a seat @ 352-726-1113 (Citrus Co. number) Toll Free @ 888-563-1110

Hernando County Health & Human Services is now accepting Applications for both Hernando County’s NSP3 Homebuyer Assis-

tance and Low Income Rental Programs

8:30am to 4:30pm

COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES EXPANDS ITS FORECLOSURE PROJECT • Are you behind in your mortgage payments?

• Are you behind in your homeowners’ or condo association fees?

• Do you need help understanding the foreclosure process?

If you have questions . . . They have answers For more information CALL 1-855-523-9150 Mon-Fri 8AM-7PM or apply for services

online at http://applyforhelp.clsmf.org/

Shanika Figueroa MSW, Homeless Student Liaison. 352-797-7008

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church , 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, provides a free bread and pastries giveaway for those in need from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Saturday in the Parish Hall (side entrance) of the church. For information, call the church office at (352) 683-2010.

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church offers “In His Footsteps” soup & sandwich outreach program lunch from Noon to 2:00 p.m. the second Thursday of eve-ry month in the Parish Hall of the Church located at 13485 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill. The meal is free of charge. For more information, please call 352-688-0663

Auro Community Garden, LLC

“Growing Food for Hernando

Location: 4095 Broad St., Brooksville A non-profit whose purpose is to build and reconnect the local community back to its natural resources. Local fresh food is grown for ACG members to fund garden operation and distribute excess produce to those in need. Residents are invited to become part of their “Community of Growers.”

For more information, please call 352-238-9091 or visit the website at:

aurocommunitygarden.com

First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill

serves a hot, nutritious meal from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

every Tuesday at the church, located at 9344 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The meal is for all those in need. For information, call (352) 683-2600 Ext. 1

Food & More!

The annual Hernando County Fair And Youth Livestock Show

is just one of many events held at the Fairgrounds!

Others include car shows, recrea-tional vehicle, coin & tool shows, expos, dances, talent shows, equine & 4H animals, fundraisers, rodeos, parties, weddings, reunions, and more! All The Best Hernando Coun-ty Events Happen Here!

The Hernando County Fair Associa-

“ Pay What You Can Donation Station Thrift Store”

A distribution center and food pantry organized to supplement the needs of the less fortunate in the community. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A bag of food is donated on the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month depending on their donations. Love Your Neighbor Thrift Store 408 West Jefferson St. Brooksville Contact: Jerry D. 352-428-8738 Lisa Callea 352-428-9275 John Callea 352-428-9434

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE  OF HERNANDO COUNTY      

PHP is a program established to help feed those homeless and hungry on the west side of Hernando County. For more information, contact Ron Van Matre at: 352-686-4466 Date: Every Sunday Time: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Location: Hernando County Senior Citizens Club 7925 Rhanbuoy Road Spring Hill, FL 34606 Cost: FREE to anyone hungry

Monday Dinner Location: Rising Sun Café 10 S. Main St., Brooksville Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Date: Every Monday Cost: FREE to anyone hungry Local restaurants join together to offer meals to those on fixed incomes, single parents, homeless, or “anyone that’s hungry”. Sponsored by numerous businesses and organizations throughout Hernando County. For more information about Love Your Neighbor, please contact John 352-428-9434 or Lisa at 352-428-9275.

“Salvation Army Mobile Hot Meal Canteen Service”

Date: Every Friday Time: 5:00 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. Location: Hernando Park 205 E Fort Dade Ave. Downtown Brooksville Free to anyone who is hungry or homeless For more information please call, 352-796-1186

New Song Worship Center

6001 Deltona Blvd. Spring Hill, FL 34606

352-686-4000 Please call for information

regarding their Thursday Food Give-a-ways

8555 Forest Oaks Blvd. Spring Hill, FL 34606

352-683-9731

Body and Soul Food Pantry The Food Pantry is open to the public for

needy families Each Tuesday from 9:00am to 12:00 Noon

Events Around Town & More

Support Group Information & More!

Alzheimer’s Family Support Groups meet at the following locations: Hernando County Mining Assoc. Enrichment Center 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd. Brooksville, FL 34601 3rd Tuesday of the month @ 1:00p.m. Leader: John Winans (352)232-0081 Spring Hill Regional Hospital Medical Arts Building Suite 105 10441 Quality Dr. Spring Hill, 34609 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM. Leader: Pam Penna (352) 688-1262 Brooksville Regional Hospital Medical Arts Building Suite 120 17222 Hospital Blvd., Brooksville, 34601 Every Monday of the month @ 1:00 p.m. Leader: John Winans (352) 232-0081 http://www.alzheimersfamily.org

AUTISM

Community Support Group for families of children on the Autism Spectrum. Please join BayCare Behavioral Health Institute in an effort to create awareness in Hernando County. Date: 1st Friday of the month Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Date: 3rd Wednesday of the month Time: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm Location: BayCare Behavioral Health Institute 7074 Grove Road, Brooksville, FL For more information, please call 352-346-1677

Florida ranks first in the Nation in the percentage of residents age 60 and older and has more than 1.7 million residents who are 75 and older. According to the Department of Elder Affairs, seniors age 85-100 are currently the state’s fastest growing age group. Moreover, every day, more seniors are turning to the Internet to find information. On Guard for Seniors gives elders the tools and re-sources to make informed financial decisions and know when to walk away from a deal that is too good to be true, as most scams are. To report fraud or to learn more about the many oth-er services offered by the Department of Financial Services, visit www.MyFloridaCFO.com or call 1-877-My-FL-CFO. ( 877-693-5236 )

Contact: www.GuardianadLitem.org

or call 1-866-341-1425

Hernando County Veteran Service Officer will be

available at the following locations:

West Hernando Government Center Monday -Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. 7479 Forest Oaks Blvd. Spring Hill, FL 34606 (352) 754-4033

Health & Human Services (appointments only) Every Friday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p. m. Hernando County Courthouse 20 N. Main Street, Room 161 (1st Floor) (352) 540-4338

Matt Peters Hernando

County Veteran Services

352-754-4033

Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide

The Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide is an annual publication designed to bring you the latest information on federal and state benefits in a concise, easy to read format. The guide, which is a primary tool in our arsenal to advocate for our state’s veterans, is produced by the Florida Veterans Foundation.

Go to www.floridavets.org to get your copy.

2013

Keith Growe, LISW Brooksville Social Worker 14540 Cortez Blvd. Suite 108

Brooksville, FL 34613 352-597-8287

352-597-9816 Fax Keithgrowe2@va.med.gov

Career CentralCareer CentralCareer Central

Veteran Employment ServicesVeteran Employment ServicesVeteran Employment Services

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What is eBenefits?

The eBenefits Portal is a central location for Veterans, Ser-

vice Members, and their families to research, find, access,

and in time, manage their benefits and personal information.

eBenefits offers: a personal work space called My Dash-

board that provides quick access to eBenefits tools. Using

eBenefit tools you can complete various tasks. You can ap-

ply for benefits, download your DD214, view your benefits

status, in addition to other actions as needed. This work

space is available to you once you have created an eBene-

fits account. Links to other informational sites can be found

at VA.gov

The Fully Developed Claims (FDC) program is the fastest way of get-ting your compensation or pension claim processed. Participation in the FDC program allows for faster

claims processing while preserving great quali-ty of service and your right to appeal a deci-sion. Disability Benefits Questionaires (DBQ) help support the Fully Developed Claims Program. DBQs are valuable for claims because they provide medical information that is directly rel-evant to determining a disability rating. When submitted with a Fully Developed Claim, DBQs ensure the VA’s ratings specialists have pre-cisely the information they need to start pro-cessing the claim.