Health and Social Services

Page updated 11/1/24

On this page scroll down to find:

• UNCAS Health services

• Information on energy assistance & housing

• Emergency food programs

• Mental/ behavioral health and addiction services

• Other community services available to Voluntown residents

UNCAS Health

The Town of Voluntown belongs to the UNCAS Health District. For more information on the services available, visit the UNCAS Health website: UNCAS Health District (uncashd.org)

Private Wells and Abnormally Dry & Drought Conditions

Most of Voluntown’s residents have their water supplied by private wells. It is the responsibility of homeowners to test their water and maintain their water system. Sometimes abnormally dry and drought conditions affect these wells. Low water in wells can result in illnesses and water pump failure. For more information on private wells and private wells during abnormally dry and drought conditions, visit our private well resources and FAQ page. 

UNCAS MOBILE HEALTH HUB

Energy Assistance & Housing

EVERSOURCE

Subject: Stay Warm This Winter

Posted 11/1/24

Get Help with Your Heating Bills

Dear Voluntown Resident,

Town of Voluntown is partnering with Eversource during the fourth annual Heating Assistance Awareness Month this November to raise awareness of the many programs available to help pay or lower your heating bills and keep your home warm this winter.

If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with energy bills, now is the time to connect with Eversource to get assistance. To find the right options for you, call 800-286-2828 or visit eversource.com/billhelp. There is a plan for everyone, including:

 State and Other Assistance Programs

• Get up to $530 to help pay your heating bill through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and get a bigger match from the Matching Payment Program. Apply online or visit your local Community Action Agency. You may also find your closest agency by calling 211.

 Protection from Service Shut-Off

• Protect your gas or electric service from shut off from November 1 through May 1 with Winter Protection, for customers facing financial hardship.
• You may also be eligible for Medical Protection if anyone in your home is seriously ill or has a life-threatening situation.

Financial Assistance Programs and Payment Plans

• The Matching Payment Program can lower the amount you owe on energy bills. For every dollar you pay and every dollar you receive from the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, we will subtract a dollar from the amount you owe.
• An Electric Discount Rate is available to you if you have a financial hardship status on your electric account. Based on your household income or receipt of a public assistance benefit, you may be eligible for a 10% or 50% discount off your electric bill per month. For example, if you have a $100 monthly bill, it would be $10 less if you receive a 10% discount or $50 less if you receive the 50% discount.
• Flexible Payment Plans of up to 18 months are available to help all residential customers with active accounts pay off money owed, regardless of income.
• With Budget Billing, you pay a fixed amount each month based on your average energy usage and avoid spikes in your bill during heating and cooling seasons.

Energy Efficiency

• Take advantage of Eversource’s energy efficiency programs, incentives and tips to help you save money and reduce your overall energy use during the colder months.

Learn more about these programs and apply at eversource.com/billhelp.

Please help raise awareness by sharing this important information with family, friends and neighbors. Let’s help keep every home in our community warm this winter.

Sincerely,

Tracey Hanson,

First Selectman

Eversource offers a number of assistance programs, flexible payment options and energy efficiency resources to help customers with the burden of higher energy costs. Customers can learn more about the available options at Eversource.com/price.

YouTube Video: Understanding Your Eversource Electric Bill
YouTube Video: Why Are Energy Bills Increasing?

YouTube Video: July 1st Rate Adjustment

Eversource Assistance Programs

Eversource Bill Discount Information (English)

Eversource Bill Discount Information (Spanish)

TVCCA

updated 8/30/23

TVCCA provides services and partners with other organizations to address the social determinants of health – housing, food security, employment needs, education, and basic needs – of low-income and vulnerable households in Eastern Connecticut, with a focus on building the community’s self-sufficiency and resiliency. TVCCA has a variety of programs designed to assist individuals and families of all income levels.  Please contact us to determine which programs for which you may be qualified.

TVCCA phone #: 860-889-1365
TVCCA website: https://www.tvcca.org/

CT Department of Social Services

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) for heating assistance: https://portal.ct.gov/heatinghelp/?language=en_US

Water assistance: www.ct.gov/dss/waterassistance

Emergency Food Programs

Updated 10/30/24

Food Pantry & Mobile Health Hub

Note that the Griswold United Way mobile has been moved to the Griswold Public Works.

Food Pantries

Voluntown Baptist Church, 860-376-9485
52 Main Street, Voluntown
Outside food pantry is located by the lower entrance (near the church sign and the clothing drop-off box).  For indoor pantry call the church to set up an appointment. Normal hours are 9AM-1PM Tuesday-Friday.

St. Mary’s Church, (860) 376-2044
34 North Main Street, Jewett City
**currently a drive up due to COVID-19
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month 10am-11 am and 3pm-4pm **Open To Everyone-Jewett City, Griswold, Voluntown and Lisbon.

For the United Way mobile food-pantry calendar, visit Calendar | United Way of Southeastern Connecticut (uwsect.org)

Meals-On-Wheels Delivery Available to Voluntown Senior Residents

Mental/Behavioral Health and Addiction Services

Updated 10/30/24

Matt’s Mission

Matt’s Mission seesk to connect individuals battling an addiction to medical care, treatment, and services without shame, blame or arrest. It is an effort to help end the stigma of drug addiction and to raise awareness of addiction as a disease focusing on treatment, not punishment. All our members are volunteers and committed to ending the stigma associated with addiction, providing education on substance use disorders, and assisting individuals on their road to recovery. Our current attitude, our current way of dealing with this issue is obviously not working in light of the rising drug-related deaths.

Contact: https://mattsmission.net/contact/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattBarrettsMission

Connecticut Clearinghouse

Connecticut Clearinghouse, a program of the Connecticut Center for Prevention, Wellness, and Recovery has Resource Guide for Behavioral Health, which includes contact numbers for emergency services, support groups, Connecticut services, national services, and state agencies. View the Resource Guide for Behavioral Health here.

CT State Police Troop E Montville CRISIS Initiative

Connection to Recovery through Intervention, Support, and Initiating Services

CRISIS Intervention Team is a partnership between the CT State Police, substance abuse and mental health professionals, and the community, working toward safety, understanding, and service to people in crisis, and their families.

If you need a connection to mental health or substance abuse treatment, through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, contact the barracks for a referral to the CIT Clinician at 860-848-6500. For emergencies dial 9-1-1.

Simplify CT

Created out of the need to provide a safe, secure, and contactless way for low-income Connecticut families to access free tax preparation and qualify for state and Federal benefits, SimplifyCT was launched in 2020.  We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Seniors, students, individuals, and families of all kinds.

Up until 2020, our IRS trained and certified VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) tax preparers met face to face with people across Connecticut in places like community centers and libraries, but because of the COVID19 pandemic, we changed our process to be online-only, launching SimplifyCT to keep our families and our staff safe and socially distant.

Simplify CT website: https://simplifyct.org/

Voluntown Community Fund

The Voluntown Community Fund is a fund that was put together through a group effort by the Voluntown Fire Department, Voluntown Selectmen’s Office, all Voluntown churches, Voluntown Scouts, BSA and other community organizations.  To date we have helped 3 Voluntown families with the money raised by all of us through our community fundraiser.

If you know someone who is falling on bad times and needs a little help, let us know. We will discus with representatives and help out with assistance if approved.

To contact us for help call the firehouse and leave a message with a phone number for Chief Grenier or call the town hall and speak with our First Selectman Tracey Hanson. All request require approval from the community representatives and are kept confidential to respect the family’s privacy.

Voluntown Fire Department 860-376-0475
Voluntown Selectman’s Office 860-376-5880

Voluntown Community Resource Guide

A Voluntown Community Resource Guide was put together by VES administration. This Guide is for informational purposes only and services listed are not endorsed by the Town of Voluntown and VES.  The Guide can be viewed HERE. 

Town of Voluntown Prescription Discount Card