Emergency Needs
Network
(Formerly Crisis Intervention)
Since its inception over 190 years ago, CMS has provided help to some of the area’s most vulnerable individuals and families. Direct assistance is available through our Emergency Needs Network (ENN), formerly Crisis Intervention. Now the program has a new name, a new focus and a new way of operating. Our new network will focus on providing urgent help to those in danger of becoming homeless. This new format will rely on a network of community-based agencies to strengthen and inform our referral process.
Direct Assistance
For the last several years, the greatest need has been around housing and preventing homelessness, including payments for rental assistance and utilities. The purpose of the new Network is to go beyond giving out emergency funding on a first-come, first-served basis. The ENN’s focus on preventing homelessness is based on two key elements - early intervention and flexible support.
The partner agencies in the ENN offer a diversity of services including health care, adult education, legal services and ex-offender programs. They are in a position to identify their clients who are in danger of homelessness earlier in the process. These clients can then be referred to CMS for financial assistance in the first month of crisis rather then when a family is facing payment of six months back rent or an eviction.
The agencies’ connections to ENN clients provide opportunities for long-term follow-up and assessment. In this way ENN will leverage existing resources that can weave a web of support to help individuals move toward housing stability.
Our clients are multi-cultural and multi-racial, reflecting the population of the city and the Greater Boston community. On average we serve 2,500 people a year. But every day, our limited funding leaves many needs unmet…on average only 1 in 8 requests for direct assistance can be met. Clearly, more funds are needed!
Information, Referral and Advocacy
In addition to providing limited funding to resolve an immediate housing crisis, the program will continue to provide information, referral, advocacy and support to assist clients in identifying resources and services which will provide long-range assistance. ENN assists people with Food Stamp applications, informs them about Mass Health benefits, housing resources, SSI applications, fuel assistance, etc. ENN also directs clients to vocational counseling, job search programs, child-care and other resources which enhance their lives.
To learn more about this program please contact ENN Director Alison Coleman-Hardy, LICSW.
Program Information Sheet [Adobe PDF]
Agency Referral Form [Adobe PDF]
