A primary intent of the web site is to make the often complex service and benefits system more understandable and accessible to consumers and service providers; to provide clear answers to commonly asked questions; and to help direct web site users to relevant and available sources of support in Worcester, Massachusetts. In developing this web site we have tried to gather and assemble the collective knowledge of experts in the Worcester community and in Massachusetts regarding critical information relevant to the needs of low and moderate income individuals and families. It can be thought of as a shared, centralized file cabinet that is well-organized and routinely updated. In addition to storing basic information about community resources, it provides the ability to check online one's eligibility status for various benefits, to download application forms, and to provide feedback to the web site's administrators regarding the site.

Intended audience

Service providers in Worcester are the expected initial user audience for this web site. Ultimately, as the digital divide is reduced, this web site is intended also to be used by individuals and families living in Worcester and its surrounding communities. The content of the web site has been written with consumers of services and benefits the intended ultimate primary audience.

Topics this web site currently covers

Presently this web site covers benefits and programs in the following areas: Housing and homelessness; food assistance; cash assistance; child care and preschools; tax credits; health care programs; energy assistance; and transportation services. For each benefit or program that is described on the web site we cover the following: 1) what the benefit/program entails; 2) eligibility criteria; 3) practical information on how and where to apply; 4) benefit levels; and 5) consumer rights and responsibilities. The content is written in English and will eventually be translated into Spanish as well. Information on the web site is routinely updated to stay current with changes in programs and benefits as well as their availability.

Topics this web site intends to cover in the future

We are currently developing additional content that will be added to the web site in the future. Sections that we plan to eventually add to the web site include information on:

Elder Assistance Programs
Adult Education/Job Training Programs
Employment
Dental Care Programs
Mental Health Programs
Substance Abuse Programs
Victims of Violence Programs
Legal Assistance/Appeals Process
Immigration
Furniture and Clothing Assistance Programs
Social Security
Public Schools
After-school Programs, Summer Camps
Foster Care

Milestones in the development of WorcesterResources.org

April 2001 - Beta site created
September 2001 - WorcesterResources.org went "live" for first time containing content sections on Housing and Homelessness Assistance, Cash Assistance, and Food Programs, as well as eight eligibility checks
January 2002 - Child Care and Preschool Programs section added
April 2002 - Transportation section added
May 2002 - "Search this site" and Site Map features added
June 2002 - Tax Credit (EIC) section added
August 2002 - Health Insurance (MassHealth) section added
September 2002 - Service Provider Network features added
October 2002 - Fuel Assistance section added
November 2002 - EIC and MassHealth eligibility checks added

Tips on how to best use this web site

It is useful to first examine the areas of assistance that this web site covers and the programs within each section. Use the drop down box on the top left corner to view the various types of assistance (e.g., housing/homeless programs, cash assistance, food programs).
Read the overview page for each section and the overview page of programs within a section to see what may be relevant to you.
You should read the written content of a program in some detail to understand what the program is about and to have some idea about eligibility requirements. If a particular program has an Eligibility Check, you may want to complete the necessary questions, but only after reading the written content. This will help you to spend your time wisely. Also, should you complete an Eligibility Check, it will make it easier to understand why the questions in the Eligibility Check are being asked of you.
If you are a potential consumer of services on this web site and have access to service providers, advocates, or case managers who may able to aid you in securing needed benefits, you should take advantage of the assistance they may be able to provide. This web site is not intended to replace the useful help that service providers can offer. At the same time, becoming familiar with the types of benefits and services that are potentially available may allow you to communicate more effectively with any professional who might assist you.
Clicking on the top of any page (where the picture of downtown Worcester and name of the web site is shown) will return you to the home page of the web site.

Accessibility

Our goal is to make the Worcester Resources web site accessible to all users, including those using various forms of assistive technology. Accordingly, to the extent possible, we have followed the accessibility guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act.

If you experience a problem when visiting our web site, we would like to know about it. Please contact us at:

E-mail:

The following information will help us correct the problem:

the web site address (URL) of the page you were trying to view.
the type of adaptive equipment you are using, if any.
a description of the problem, including any error messages you may have received.

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