A new outpatient center for behavioral health services

About 1 of every 20 adults in the U.S. has a serious mental illness, according to the National Institute on Mental Health. An estimated 1 of every 5 children aged 9-17 has a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Of those children diagnosed with a mental disorder, only about 20% receive any treatment for their condition.

While those statistics are alarming, there is a new place where children and adults in Kissimmee can get on the road to recovery.

Looking for a new outpatient center for behavioral health services? The Transition House recently opened The Outpatient Center in Kissimmee at 3501 West Vine Street Suite 312.

You may know The Transition House through its substance abuse treatment and transitional housing programs for homeless veterans to help them get on their road to recovery and a happier life. You may also know that The Transition House offers a wide range of behavioral health services at The Outpatient Center located at  3113 Innovation Drive in St. Cloud.

In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, The Transition House offers individual, group and family counseling to restore your health and self-esteem. You will find a highly personalized approach to help you get better. Here are the services we offer at our new facility in Kissimmee:

• Anger management – a 2-day class once a month to help your emotions from becoming out of control and destructive.

• Relapse prevention – programs designed to prevent emotional, mental of physical return to dangerous behaviors.

• Family counseling – helping members of a group communicate with and help each other.

• Individual counseling – where an individual works one on one with a counselor to explore behaviors or challenging issues.

• Substance abuse counseling – working to help individuals overcome addiction to alcohol or drugs.

• Mental health counseling – working with individuals to deal with life’s stresses and problems.

• Addictive thinking – self-deceptive thought undermining self-esteem that threatens the sobriety of a recovering individual.
• Coping skills – being able to deal with the stresses of everyday life without having to turn to substance abuse or other behaviors to cope.

• Impulse control groups – learning to avoid behaviors which may harm others around you.
  
  
   http://blog.thetransitionhouse.org/where-can-i-find-a-new-outpatient-center-for-behavioral-health-services
  
  

RSVP for Case Managers Network Breakfast

We’re BACK!  Let’s reconnect our Case Managers Network at our first quarterly Networking  Breakfast….

Thursday, March 26th

8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Keystone Rehabilitation and Health Center

1120 W. Donegan Ave., Kissimmee

Presented by:

VITAS Healthcare – Community Vision – Keystone Rehabilitation and Health Center

Join Fellow Case Managers, Social Workers, and Care Specialists as we

RECONNECT, REJEUVENATE and REVIVE our network and ourselves!  

Community Vision is proud to partner with Vitas Healthcare to host the first of our renewed Case Manager Networking Breakfast series.  Guests will enjoy insightful discussion and some pampering including the VITAS famous Lavender Touch Experience.  This breakfast will give case workers and managers like YOU the opportunity to hear insightful presentations, learn about hot topics, connect with colleagues, share resources and HAVE FUN!  Please join us for  breakfast, speakers, goodie bags, door prizes and much more.  RSVP by 3/23 at sring@communityvision.org or (407) 933-0870 x.221.  

Opportunity for Existing Year-Round Youth Employment Programs

Criteria for Interested Municipalities Youth Financial Capability

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) intends to provide technical assistance to approximately 25 geographically diverse municipalities across the country. Municipalities should have existing year-round youth employment programs and have an interest in integrating financial capability into current programs. This is not an opportunity for a grant, contract, sub-contract, or funding. This is an opportunity to receive technical assistance to integrate financial capability services into existing year-round youth employment programs. The submission criteria is detailed below. If you believe your municipality might be a right fit to receive technical assistance send a statement of interest to empowerment@consumerfinance.gov by Monday, April 20, 2015.

Financial Capability is the capacity, based on knowledge, skills, and access, to manage financial resources effectively.
Technical Assistance will include specialized and targeted training to assist municipalities as they work to incorporate the new financial literacy requirements in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

The CFPB will provide the following technical assistance:

• Offer support, tools, and technical assistance to local federally funded workforce systems and municipal officials to integrate age-appropriate financial education, and build partnerships to improve access to affordable financial services for youth jobseekers.
• Provide trainings on youth specific financial capability strategies to staff in municipal and workforce systems.
• Convene program sites to share promising practices and lessons learned. 
• Distribute CFPB financial decision-making tips and tools through local workforce agencies and increase use of CFPB Consumer Response system and other consumer protection tools among youth jobseekers. 
• Share best practices from pilot sites on ways to promote financial capability in youth employment programs across the broader workforce system. 

Criteria for interested communities 

The CFPB will work with approximately 25 municipalities with interest and capacity to integrate youth financial capability into their existing year-round youth employment programs. To be considered to receive technical assistance, letters of interest should include the following:
Target population being served. Serve low-income youth through year-round youth employment programs.
Commitment to youth financial capability. Understand what youth financial capability is and provide an overview for how to integrate services into existing youth-employment programs.
Staff capacity. Provide a dedicated staff person to coordinate youth financial capability services and CFPB technical assistance.
Organizational stability and impact. Demonstrate experience in the community, particularly working with multi-sector partners (government agencies, non-profits, financial institutions) to better serve low-income youth.
Client accessibility. Be accessible to the youth they serve and comply with applicable law governing access to youth employment programs.
Demonstrated need. Serve in communities with high concentration of low-income youth ages 14-24 in unbanked and underbanked households.

For more information go to  http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/getting-young-people-on-the-path-to-financial-success/

Affordable Care Act/ Health Insurance Marketplace Announcement

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT / HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE ANNOUNCEMENT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced a special enrollment period (SEP) for individuals and families who did not have health coverage in 2014 and are subject to the fee or “shared responsibility payment” when they file their 2014 taxes in states which use the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFM).  This special enrollment period will allow those individuals and families who were unaware or didn’t understand the implications of this new requirement to enroll in 2015 health insurance coverage through the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFM), which includes Florida.

For those who were unaware or didn’t understand the implications of the fee for not enrolling in coverage, CMS will provide consumers with an opportunity to purchase health insurance coverage from March 15 to April 30.  If consumers do not purchase coverage for 2015 during this special enrollment period, they may have to pay a fee when they file their 2015 income taxes.

Please contact a licensed navigator in Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole Counties at~ 1-877-564-5031~  All services are completely free of charge.

In addition to the above special enrollment period, individuals can always enroll for health insurance if they have a qualifying event occurring throughout the year.   

For additional information please visit Healthcare.gov or click on this link:

https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/

Health Insurance Special Enrollment Opportunity

Financial assistance may be available

Compare all insurance plans available in your area

QUALIFYING EVENTS INCLUDE:

• Losing insurance through your job for any reason, including resigning, working fewer hours, getting laid off or fired, or COBRA ending
• Losing coverage through a divorce
• Aging off a parent’s plan (usually at age 26)
• Losing Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Having or adopting a baby
• Getting married
• Moving
• Having a change in income
• Leaving incarceration
• Becoming a U.S citizen
• Paying a 2014 tax penalty for lack of insurance (available until 4/30/15 only)

For information or to schedule an appointment:

Call 1-877-564-5031

Email:  cflnavigator@gmail.com

Schedule on-line:  CoveringCFL.net

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program taking calls for assistance March 3rd at 2pm

Call 407-933-9540 starting at 2pm until all appointments are full!

The Osceola Council on Aging's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to low-income households in meeting the cost of home heating and cooling to Osceola County residents.

Qualifications:

You are an Osceola Resident

Your Household is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty level
You have not received LIHEAP assistance within one year

Priority is given to families with children 5 and younger, persons over the age of 60 and/or anyone receiving disability

All Households must be able to provide:

Social Security Cards for everyone in the Household

ID for all adults 18 & over

Utility bill (applicant must be authorized user)

Proof of Household Income

• Last 4 weeks of paystubs and/or
• Unemployment letter and/or
• Child support Documents and/or
• Food stamp or any Government assistance award letter (SSI or SSDI)
• Any adult without proof of income must be present to sign a self declaration letter.

Call 407-933-9540

Free Healthcare Clinics in Osceola County

The following is a list of health clinic that provide primary healthcare services to low-income people with no health insurance:

Orange Blossom Family Health at the Community Hope Center
2198 Four Winds Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34746
407-770-0430
Monday - Friday
8am to 5pm

Osceola Council on Aging Health Clinic
700 Generation Point
Kissimmee, FL 34744
407483-0021
Monday - Friday
8am to 5pm

Osceola County Health Department
Poinciana Clinic
109 North Doverplum Ave
Poinciana, FL 34758
407-943-8600

Intercession City/ Campbell City Clinic
1703 Business Center Lane
Kissimmee, FL 34758
407-944-7190

Center for Women & Family
1501 Bill Beck Blvd
Kissimmee, FL 34744
407-343-2050

BVL After Hours Clinic
2622 Simpson Rd
Kissimmee, FL 34743
407-343-2055
Monday – 5:00pm -9:00pm
Tuesday – 5:00pm -9:00pm
Wednesday – 5:00pm -9:00pm
Friday – 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday – 8:00am -12:00pm

St. Thomas Aquinas Medical Clinic
510 Brown Chapel Rd
St. Cloud, FL 34769
407-593-1256
Every Wednesday Night
Doors open at 3:30 be in line by 2:30

Osceola County Food Pantries

First Christian Church/DOC (BVL)

2440 Boggy Creek Road

Kissimmee, Florida    34744

Distribution; Sat. 10:00-1:00

Osceola Christian Ministries

700 Union Street

Kissimmee, Florida    34744

Distribution; Mon., Wed.,  Fri,  9-11 and 1-2:30

Kissimmee Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church

1214 Ingram Street

Kissimmee, Florida    34741

Distribution; Wed., & Fri. or call for appointment 407-348-2440

Mt. Zion Seventh Day Adventist Church

2123 North Smith Street

Kissimmee, Florida    34741

Distribution; Wed. 11-2

Renewal Christian Church

290 Competition Drive

Kissimmee, Florida    34743

Distribution; Wed.  10:30-12:30

New Hope Missionary Church

511 Barn Street

Kissimmee, Florida   34741

Distribution; Tue., Wed., Thurs., Fri., 3:00-5:00

Miracle Temple Ministries

4390 Old Pleasant Hill Road

Poinciana, Florida  34758

Distribution; Thurs. 10:30-1:30

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church

1604 Thacker Avenue

Kissimmee, Florida    34741

Distribution; Wed., 9:00-12:00

St. Cloud Food Pantry

901 Missouri Avenue

St. Cloud, Florida     34769

Distribution; Mon., Wed., Fri. 10:00-12:00

Solid Rock Church of God

1904 North Michigan Avenue

Kissimmee, Florida   34741

Distribution; 2^nd & 4^th Tuesday 10:00-2:00

The Salvation Army

2198 Four winds blvd

Kissimmee, Florida    34746

Distribution; Thurs 9:00-12:00

Jehova Jireh ICM Church

2490 Boggy Creek Road

Kissimmee, Florida   34743

Distribution; 1^st. Thurs each month

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church

3860 Pleasant Hill Road

Kissimmee, Florid    34746

Distribution; Tues. 10:00-1:00

New Faith Community Church

8801 Reliant Road

Holopaw, Florida  34773

Distribution; 3^rd Thursday each month 9:00-12:00 & 6:00-8:00

Second Chance Ministries

3274 Canoe Creek Rd

St Cloud, Fl. 34774

Distribution: Sunday 10-11

Faith Families Outreach Ministries

317 N Randolph Ave

Kissimmee, Fl. 34741

Rock Church

5515 W Irlo Bronson Mem Hwy

Kissimmee, Fl 34746

Distribution: Tues 10-3, Wed & Fri 9-10 pm, Sun 1:30-3:30

Osceola Council on Aging

Food Bank

700 generation point

Kissimmee, Fl. 34744

Distribution: Tues and Thurs 1:30-3:30

Important Documents to Bring to the AARP Tax-Aide Site

 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free, individualized tax preparation for low-to moderate-income taxpayers - especially those 60 and older. To find a location nearest you go to:
www.aarp.org/applicatio…/VMISLocator/taxAideLocations.action

After you've found an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site, you will need to bring the following documents with you: 

• Government issued identification
• Last year's tax return
• Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents
• Checkbook or pre-printed direct deposit information for your reloadable prepaid card showing routing number and direct deposit account number if you want to do a direct deposit of any refund(s).
  

Income

• W-2 from each employer
• Unemployment compensation statements
• SSA-1099 form showing the total Social Security benefits paid to you for the year, or Form RRB-1099, Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits
• 1099 forms reporting interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV), proceeds from sales (1099-B), as well as documentation showing the original purchase price of your sold assets
• 1099-R form if you received a pension or annuity, especially if you had a portion withheld for income tax purposes
• 1099-MISC form showing any miscellaneous income
  

Payments
You will need to bring all forms and canceled checks indicating federal and state income tax paid (including quarterly estimated tax payments).
Deductions
Most taxpayers have a choice of taking either a standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. If you have a substantial amount of deductions, you may want to itemize. You will need to bring the following information:

• 1098 form showing any home mortgage interest
• Receipts or canceled checks for medical/dental expenses (including doctor and hospital bills and medical insurance premiums), receipts for prescription medicines, costs of assisted living services and bills for home improvements, such as ramps and railings for people with disabilities
• Receipts for contributions to charity
• Receipts or canceled checks for all tax income and property taxes you paid, as well as records of tax refunds
  

Credits

• Dependent care provider information (name, employer ID or Social Security number)
• Receipts, canceled checks or 1099 forms related to continuing education

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Information
Be sure to bring relevant documents with you to prove you are in compliance with the ACA. You will need one of the following:

• Documentation proving health care coverage for you, your spouse and all your dependents
• Information indicating that you were covered for at least nine months of the year
• Form 1095-A (which you will receive by Jan. 31, 2015) if you purchased insurance through the Marketplace/Exchange
• Documentation of a Health Care Exemption received from the IRS or the Marketplace/Exchange
• Learn more about how the ACA affects your taxes 

Special Enrollment Period for Tax Season March 15th to April 30th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2015                                                            Contact: CMS Media Relations

                                                                                       (202) 690-6145 | press@cms.hhs.gov

CMS Announces Special Enrollment Period for Tax Season

Eligible consumers have from March 15 through April 30 to enroll in coverage

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today a special enrollment period (SEP) for individuals and families who did not have health coverage in 2014 and are subject to the fee or “shared responsibility payment” when they file their 2014 taxes in states which use the Federally-facilitated Marketplaces (FFM). This special enrollment period will allow those individuals and families who were unaware or didn’t understand the implications of this new requirement to enroll in 2015 health insurance coverage through the FFM.

For those who were unaware or didn’t understand the implications of the fee for not enrolling in coverage, CMS will provide consumers with an opportunity to purchase health insurance coverage from March 15 to April 30. If consumers do not purchase coverage for 2015 during this special enrollment period, they may have to pay a fee when they file their 2015 income taxes.

Those eligible for this special enrollment period live in states with a Federally-facilitated Marketplace and:

·  Currently are not enrolled in coverage through the FFM for 2015,

·  Attest that when they filed their 2014 tax return they paid the fee for not having health coverage in 2014, and

·  Attest that they first became aware of, or understood the implications of, the Shared Responsibility Payment after the end of open enrollment (February 15, 2015) in connection with preparing their 2014 taxes.

The special enrollment period announced today will begin on March 15, 2015 and end at 11:59 pm E.S.T. on April 30, 2015. If a consumer enrolls in coverage before the 15th of the month, coverage will be effective on the first day of the following month.

This year’s tax season is the first time individuals and families will be asked to provide basic information regarding their health coverage on their tax returns. Individuals who could not afford coverage or met other conditions may be eligible to receive an exemption for 2014. To help consumers who did not have insurance last year determine if they qualify for an exemption, CMS also launched a health coverage tax exemption tool today on HealthCare.gov and CuidadodeSalud.gov.

"We recognize that this is the first tax filing season where consumers may have to pay a fee or claim an exemption for not having health insurance coverage," said CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. “Our priority is to make sure consumers understand the new requirement to enroll in health coverage and to provide those who were not aware or did not understand the requirement with an opportunity to enroll in affordable coverage this year.”

Most taxpayers, about three quarters, will only need to check a box when they file their taxes to indicate that they had health coverage in 2014 through their employer, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans care or other qualified health coverage that qualifies as “minimum essential coverage.” The remaining taxpayers - about one-quarter - will take different steps. It is expected that 10 to 20 percent of taxpayers who were uninsured for all or part of 2014 will qualify for an exemption from the requirement to have coverage. A much smaller fraction of taxpayers, an estimated 2 to 4 percent, will pay a fee because they made a choice to not obtain coverage and are not eligible for an exemption.

Americans who do not qualify for an exemption and went without health coverage in 2014 will have to pay a fee – $95 per adult or 1 percent of their income, whichever is greater – when they file their taxes this year. The fee increases to $325 per adult or 2% of income for 2015. Individuals taking advantage of this special enrollment period will still owe a fee for the months they were uninsured and did not receive an exemption in 2014 and 2015. This special enrollment period is designed to allow such individuals the opportunity to get covered for the remainder of the year and avoid additional fees for 2015.

The Administration is committed to providing the information and tools tax filers need to understand the new requirements. Part of this outreach effort involves coordinating efforts with nonprofit organizations and tax preparers who provide resources to consumers and offer on the ground support. If consumers have questions about their taxes, need to download forms, or want to learn more about the fee for not having insurance, they can find information and resources at www.HealthCare.gov/Taxes or www.IRS.gov. Consumers can also call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. Consumers who need assistance filing their taxes can visitIRS.gov/VITA or IRS.gov/freefile

Consumers seeking to take advantage of the special enrollment period can find out if they are eligible by visiting https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage Consumers can find local help at: Localhelp.healthcare.gov or call the Federally-facilitated Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Assistance is available in 150 languages. The call is free.

For more information about Health Insurance Marketplaces, visit: www.healthcare.gov/marketplace

CMS Blog: http://blog.cms.gov/2015/02/20/what-consumers-need-to-know-about-corrected-form-1095-as/

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