| PO Box 1741 Chesterfield VA 23832 Contact CCHASM at (804) 796-3715 E-mail CCHASM |
"Empowering People by Providing a Hand Up"
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HAND UP AND A HAND OUT?
A hand out is providing a client with their requested need, no or few questions asked to
determine why there is a need. Handouts could be defined as only putting a Band-Aid on a
“gaping wound”.
A hand up is looking at why the client is in a position to have to make a request and providing
them with specific tasks/referrals in order to empower them to correct the situation that has
moved them to a “request mode”. A hand up could be defined as offering a “healing of the
body” so to speak.
ARE CLIENTS ASKED IF THEY ARE CHRISTIAN OR GO TO CHURCH?
None of CCHASM programs inquires as to race or creed. However we are concerned about
the faith life of our clients because we know the power that is released when you put your faith in
God, so we do inquire if they have a church family. Should they respond no, CCHASM offers
to put them in touch with a member church of their faith choice so that they spiritual life might be
nurtured.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE AN EMERGENCY?
An emergency is a specific event that has occurred to affect one’s ability to maintain their usual
monthly obligations.
HOW DO YOU CONDUCT YOUR SCREENING PROCESS?
All CCHASM screening is conducted via a telephone call. CCHASM does not further
inconvenience clients by asking them to miss further time from work, which would equate to
further income loss.
Currently CCHASM receives calls from clients, Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am-
3pm. Once the receptionist has determined the need, a file is prepared (or added to if we
already have a file) and passed along to the appropriate intake specialist. This intake specialist
contacts the client to complete the remainder of our screening. Please see the Screening
process sheet.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE SCREENING PROCESS?
It usually takes about 15-20 minutes to do a complete client screening. For financial assistance,
additional time is required to contact the vendor in question and secure additional information.
Should CCHASM request documentation to support a request, the screening process can not
be completed until that information is received. We do require the client to take responsible for
submitting all of the necessary documentation in order for us to proceed and make an informed
decision.
I HAVE REFERRED INDIVIDUALS TO CCHASM FOR ASSISTANCE BUT THEY
WERE TOLD THEY DID NOT MEET YOUR CRITERIA AND WERE TURNED
DOWN. WHY?
All clients calling for assistance are provided a hand up, regardless of the status of their request.
When our intake specialist perform a screening we look at several factors to help us to determine
if this request is ordinary or extraordinary:
Was the client able to maintain their household financial obligations before this
emergency request.
Will the client be able to maintain their household financial obligations once they have
recovered from this emergency request
In addition, if needed, can the client provide documentation to support the lapse of income.
Our staff compares monthly household income against household expenses. One should balance
the other and often times what we find is that client’s expenses outweigh their income. We also
contact vendors and request payment history. If we find that income and expenses seem to not
meet on a regular basis and/or their payment history does not reflect back to their extraordinary
circumstance, then we might assume that their need is ongoing and therefore does not meet our
criteria. These clients are offered a hand-up by: making a referral to: Free Budgeting program
offered by Chesterfield Extension Service
On the other hand, if there is a considerable amount of credit card, appliance or household item
debt we might refer the client to free Consumer Credit Counseling for assistance in eliminating
and/or consolidating debt.
Should there appear to be a large amount of funding being used for food, we would provide
them with a referral to Smart Choice Nutritional Counseling with Chesterfield Extension Service,
where they can receive free in-home sessions on how to shop and/or plan meals more efficiently.
Our local Dept of Social Service provide many programs that can assist clients with emergency
or non-emergency needs. If we feel that the client might be eligible for any of those programs,
we make a specific referral to the appropriate unit there.
IF I MAKE A REFERRAL TO CCHASM, HOW DO I KNOW THAT THESE
INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN HELPED?
You can call CCHASM directly to secure information regarding if and or how a client was or
was not assisted. Part of our screening process provides us the authority to share information
with member churches.
WHAT ABOUT CALLS WE RECEIVE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM PEOPLE
OUTSIDE OF CHESTERFIELD OR COLONIAL HEIGHTS ?
CCHASM’s service area is exclusively Chesterfield/Col Hts, therefore we are unable to accept
applications from residents outside of this area. CCHASM does however provide referrals to
non-area residents to agencies in their community who might be of assistance.
If you are a CCHASM member and you would like to assist a client outside of our area,
CCHASM can provide you with a screening to determine legitimate need but you will have to
offer direct assistance.
WHY DO YOU SERVE ONLY CHESTERFIELD AND COLONIAL HEIGHTS
RESIDENTS?
We are Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry. When we were formed in
1988, we developed a working collaboration with Chesterfield Colonial Heights Department of
Social Services, therefore we adapted our name and service area to include this community
only.
CAN NON MEMBERS STILL REFER REQUESTS FOR EMERGENCY
ASSISTANCE TO CCHASM?
Our vision is to see all churches in our area as members of CCHASM. If we were to find that a
non-member was making referrals, we would approach them to encourage membership. If a
non-member is making a referral, they must see the value in our mission and purpose and
therefore should prayerfully consider making their congregation a partner.
A client request would not be neglected due to a referral from a non-member church. Often
times clients can not remember the name of the church that made their referral.
CCHASM maintains and reports the following information regarding clients:
# Requests received in the following categories: utility, housing, medicine, food, and other.
The total amount of funds clients have requested assistance with
The total amount of funds clients vendors have indicated they need in order to maintain service
The magisterial district where clients reside
The number of requests being made by county agencies
The total number of clients that met our criteria and how much funding CCHASM provided.
HOW MANY CHURCHES ARE MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE?
Our growing membership currently is made up of approximately 100 churches, civic
organizations, individuals and businesses.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CCHASM MEMBERSHIP?
CCHASM membership allows you the opportunity to use your already limited staff for other
important church staff needs. We feel that our screening process is more efficient and effective
than what any one church has the time or ability to perform. CCHASM is a one-stop shop, so
to speak; Clients get the best service and churches can be assured that their benevolence funds
are being used effectively. Working together, we can do so much more than any one of can
separately.
HOW MUCH DOES CCHASM MEMBERSHIP COST?
Membership in CCHASM is an annual financial contribution. Each individual church determines
that contribution. We would ask considerations of the amount of funding you currently are
expending on local outreach or benevolence.
DO CHURCHES ALONE SUPPORT CCHASM?
No, CCHASM was primarily started to provide support to outreach programs in churches.
However CCHASM has grown to include support from the following: Chesterfield County,
Colonial Heights, Philip Morris Employee Community Fund, United Way, Catholic Diocese of
Richmond, and individuals within our community.
HOW IS CCHASM GOVERNED?
A volunteer Executive Board governs CCHASM. Audits and IRS 990 are completed annually.
Membership is invited to participate in monthly board meetings as well as budget approval and
election of officers.
CCHASM Executive Board Meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month. Contact the
CCHASM office to determine the meeting site.
WHY SHOULD I SUPPORT CCHASM FINANCIALLY?
There are many localities outside of Chesterfield/Col Hts that have expressed a desire to have a
CCHASM in their community. There is a confidence that comes in being a member of an
alliance that truly is concerned about empowering families to move toward independence. The
clearinghouse concept that CCHASM also provides is invaluable in helping churches to avoid
duplication of services.
HOW MUCH OF MY DONATION WILL GO TOWARD THE FINANCIAL/FOOD
OUTREACH PROGRAM?
Our FINANCIAL AND FOOD OUTREACH is only one aspect of what CCHASM offers our
community. While it is our primary, day-to-day program, CCHASM also has other CCHASM
outreach projects.
WINGS (Winning Independence through Nurturing, Guidance and Support – our welfare to
work adult mentoring project
FRIENDLY VISITOR- matching volunteers in our community with homebound seniors who are
at risk of isolation.
EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM- A proactive program seeking to secure
volunteers and necessary items to use during a Disaster time.
THANKSGIVING MEAL PACKAGE PROGRAM
CAREER CLOSET-Offering used clothing and personal needs appropriate for employment or
job seeking residents.
CCHASM outreach programs use 93.3% of our entire budget. (as determined by IRS 990)
WHY DOES CCHASM COORDINATE AN EMERGENCY DISASTER PROGRAM
WHEN MANY OF OUR CHURCHES HAVE RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS?
When Chesterfield County Emergency Services opens the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
in response to a crisis, a representative of the Department of Social Services reports in the event
it is necessary to activate a shelter. Representatives of other county agencies such as police, fire,
sheriff's utilities, parks and recreation, public affairs, health department, and schools also report.
If sheltering services are identified, the location is determined by the school representative. By
law, the department of social services staff is responsible for shelter management and we have
strong support from the school's administration and other identified employees. Also assisting
are two health department nurses, sheriff's deputy, emergency medical services, and animal
control. Other agency representatives, such as mental health are called if needed. Chesterfield
County assumes responsibility for shelter management up to 48-72 hours, before the Red Cross
takes over. They have assisted with food, cots, and blankets, and have provided training for
department of social services staff. The department of social services has partnered with
CCHASM to address other sheltering needs. In order to effectively deal with a major crisis, it
takes a community response with everyone working together. Chesterfield County is committed
to providing quality services and appreciates the cooperative working relationship with
CCHASM.
DO YOU HAVE PAID STAFF AND HOW ARE THEY SUPPORTED?
Currently CCHASM has three part time paid staff persons, the Director and two staff persons.
WHAT IS CCHASM’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL
SERVICES?
CCHASM has continued throughout our history to collaborate with DSS. It is not our desire to
recreate the wheel but to develop programs that address needs that we feel can be met through
our church community. There is power in working together and CCHASM offers the best
possible scenario for collaborative ministry in Chesterfield/Col Hts.
IS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE ON WEEKENDS?
CCHASM is not open on weekends therefore; we are unable to entertain requests during those
hours. However churches should understand that someone calling for financial or food
assistance can be referred on Monday morning. Utility companies do not cut off during
weekend hours nor does the sheriff’s office provide eviction staff during this time. Should you
determine that a true emergency exists that would mean the difference between life and death,
please know that our local Dept of Social Services can be reached through our local police
department for assistance.
CCHASM
Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry
Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry