Informer: State offers several programs to aid families
Last Modified: Friday, August 31, 2012 7:34 PM
By Andrew Perzo / American Press
Is there a support group for grandparents raising their grandchildren in Lake Charles? Also, is there any assistance available from the state for grandparents raising their grandchildren?
The Informer asked around, but no one it talked to knew of any such support group — though a referral service spokesman said one once existed.
As for services, the state provides aid via several programs to those raising children under difficult circumstances.
The Kinship Care Subsidy Program offers just over $200 per child per month to certain people raising family members’ children. And the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program provides assistance to cash-strapped families — from $122 to $512 — based on their size.
Families may qualify for both programs, but they can only sign up for one of them.
Other services include the Child Care Assistance Program, which helps cover day-care costs; Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, which replaced the welfare program; and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.
For more information on government aid programs for families, call the state Department of Children and Family Services at 888-524-3578.
Some context
The U.S. Census Bureau says 128,600 children in Louisiana live with grandparent householders. A breakdown for the six-parish area:
• Allen — 627, most of them (193) 6-11 years old.
• Beauregard — 840, most of them (243) under age 3.
• Calcasieu — 5,071, most of them (1,524) 6-11 years old.
• Cameron — 137, most of them (44) 12-17 years old.
• Jefferson Davis — 980, most of them (280) 6-11 years old.
• Vernon — 984, most of them (300) 6-11 years old.
Incidentally, Adele Mart, operations manager with the Calcasieu Parish Human Services Department, said the parish plans to hold a conference for grandparents raising grandchildren in February.
Online: www.grandfactsheets.org; www.census.gov.
Regulations require matching parts
I recently had my 20-year-old mechanical sewer system pumped and cleaned out. The truck driver told me that the air pump on my system needs to have the same manufacturer’s name as the name on the tank.
My pump is the same type that was installed originally and has the same SCFM output. He also said if I did not buy their pump, the inspector would make me pump out my tank again and then buy their pump.
Is this true?
“If the air pump on your mechanical sewer system has a manufacturer’s name that doesn’t match with other main components of your system, then you would be required to replace the part,” Wes Crain, Calcasieu Parish planning and development director, wrote in an email.
“Since every manufacturer of mechanical sewer systems have their own patented design, integral parts and components of a mechanical sewer system must be the same.”
The policy, he said, conforms to state health regulations.
A mismatched air pump doesn’t necessarily mean you’d have to pump out the system, but if the pump is improperly installed — throwing off performance and causing sludge buildup — it might be necessary, Crain said.
For more information, call the planning office at 721-3600.
Online: www.cppj.net.
The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com
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