Dickinson Iron Community Services Agency

IT IS THE MISSION OF DICSA TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO RESOURCES, PROVIDE A MEANS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES, STRENGTHEN SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

SENIOR CITIZENS & DISCRETIONARY SENIOR CITIZENS:FAMILY TIES - FAMILY TIES PROVIDES ADULT DAY SERVICES IN A SAFE, SECURE, AND STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER'S, OTHER FORMS OF DEMENTIA, COGNITIVE AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ON A LESS THAN 24-HOUR BASIS. FAMILY TIES PROVIDES AN ACTIVITY PROGRAM IN A SOCIALLY STIMULATING SETTING WHICH, IN TURN, PROVIDES RESPITE FOR THEIR PRIMARY CAREGIVERS. OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN TO THOSE IN NEED OF SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND SERVICE INFORMATION. IT IS OUR GOAL TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS BY ALLEVIATING THE STRESS AND ANXIETY ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING FULL-TIME CARE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES.IN-HOME PROGRAM - PROVIDES HOMEMAKING, HOMECARE ASSISTANCE (PERSONAL CARE), RESPITE CARE AND HOME INJURY EQUIPMENT TO PARTICIPANTS IN DICKINSON AND IRON COUNTIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S SERVICE AREA INCLUDES THE CITIES AND VILLAGES OF IRON MOUNTAIN, KINGSFORD, NORWAY, QUINNESEC, FELCH, HARDWOOD, RALPH, SAGOLA, CRYSTAL FALLS, IRON RIVER, STAMBAUGH, AMASA, AND GAASTRA.HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM - SERVES DICKINSON, IRON AND BARAGA COUNTIES. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST HOMEBOUND SENIORS IN MEETING THEIR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS BY DELIVERING MEALS TO THEIR HOMES UP TO FIVE DAYS A WEEK. PERSONS QUALIFY FOR A MEAL IF THEY ARE 60 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, UNABLE TO LEAVE THEIR HOME, UNABLE TO PREPARE THEIR OWN MEALS OR HAVE NO OTHER ACCESS TO A NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED MEAL.CONGREGATE MEAL PROGRAM - PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND NUTRITION EDUCATION TO OLDER INDIVIDUALS IN A CONGREGATE SETTING IN DICKINSON, IRON AND BARAGA COUNTIES. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIALIZATION AND OBTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE IN THE AREA.

FOOD AND NUTRITION:COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP) - THE CSFP IS DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS 60 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AND MOTHERS, INFANTS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE INCOME ELIGIBLE AND DO NOT RECEIVE WIC. 19,797 FOOD PACKAGE CONTAINING NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS FROM THE BASIC FOOD GROUPS WERE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS EIGHT COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA.

WEATHERIZATION AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE:WEATHERIZATION - THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM ASSISTED INCOME ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WITH REDUCING ENERGY COSTS. ALL WORK IS COMPLETED BY LICENSED AND INSURED CONTRACTORS. PARTICIPANTS ALSO RECEIVED ENERGY EDUCATION INCLUDING ENERGY SAVING MEASURES AND INFORMATION ABOUT REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION. 18 HOMES WERE WEATHERIZED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021.WATER REPAIRS:WATER REPAIRS - THE WATER REPAIRS PROGRAM ASSISTED INCOME ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WITH REDUCING ENERGY COSTS FOR PLUMBING AND HOT WATER WITHIN PARTICIPANTS HOMES. ALL WORK IS COMPLETED BY LICENSED AND INSURED CONTRACTORS. 16 HOMES WERE PROVIDED WITH WATER IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THEIR HOMES.EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE (CERA):DICSA IS A SUBGRANTEE OF THE CERA PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH VERY LOW-INCOMES WHO FELL BEHIND ON THEIR RENT AND UTILITIES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

COMMUNITY SERVICES:THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP) IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FOOD AT NO COST TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS OF DICKINSON AND IRON COUNTIES. THE FOOD IS PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND IS DISTRIBUTED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. 5,942 FOOD PACKAGE CONTAINING NON-PERISHABLE ITEMS WERE DISTRIBUTED IN FY 2021.