Case Management

Case management is at the core of START’s work, offering personalized support to help families break the cycle of poverty, overcome barriers, and achieve long-term stability. For those facing crisis, even basic tasks can feel overwhelming. Through personalized case management, START helps an average of 50 to 55 households each month to navigate critical resources, secure essential services, and develop skills that foster independence.

Case management involves several key elements that work together to help individuals and families meet their needs and achieve stability. These elements ensure that each person receives the right support, tailored to their unique situation. 

• Assessment. The first step in case management is understanding a person's or family's needs. The Case Manager will ask questions about income, expenses, debts, and other key factors to identify specific needs and determine which resources can help address them, such as financial assistance or housing support.

• Planning. Based on the assessment, the Case Manager works with the client to develop a personalized plan. This plan breaks down both short-term actions (such as securing immediate housing) and long-term goals (like budgeting or career development). The plan will include specific steps, deadlines, and realistic milestones to ensure steady progress. For example, a client may work with the Case Manager to create a budgeting plan or identify specific job training programs.

• Resource Coordination. Once the plan is in place, the Case Manager actively connects the client to the necessary resources. This could involve helping the client apply for housing assistance, food programs, childcare support, or healthcare. The Case Manager may assist with filling out applications, providing transportation to appointments, or arranging meetings with local agencies. They ensure clients know how to access each resource and follow through.

• Implementation. The Case Manager helps put the plan into action. This may include practical tasks like helping to complete housing applications, working on resumes, applying for job training programs, or connecting clients to healthcare providers. A Case Manager may also assist with creating a monthly budget, setting up payment plans for utilities, or helping a client apply for financial aid for education.

• Ongoing Contact. Regular follow-ups are a key action in case management. The Case Manager checks in with the client to discuss progress, tackle any emerging challenges, and ensures the plan remains relevant. For example, if the client encounters a new financial setback, the Case Manager will help adjust the budget or connect the client to emergency financial aid. These check-ins provide clients with ongoing support, adjusting the plan as life circumstances change.

• Advocacy. A Case Manager serves as a voice for the client. This means advocating on behalf of the client to landlords, employers, or service providers when needed. If a client faces challenges like eviction or denial of assistance, the Case Manager may help the client negotiate a payment plan with their landlord or appeal an application decision. Advocacy can also mean providing emotional support or offering guidance in stressful situations.

Financial Assistance

With the support of local churches, grants and foundations, businesses, organizations, and the Stoughton community, START provides short-term financial assistance to individuals and families at risk of losing housing or struggling to meet basic needs. This assistance may include payments toward rent or utilities, security deposits, or other essential expenses that serve as a lifeline—bridging the gap from crisis to opportunity.

START’s financial assistance is a temporary hand up, not ongoing income replacement. All financial support is paired with wraparound case management, where our team walks alongside each person to tackle barriers, connect resources, and map out a path forward. By combining a safety net with future-focused planning, START empowers neighbors to regain stability, rebuild confidence, and fully engage in community life.

Basic Needs Support

At START, we believe that meeting basic needs is an important step toward restoring dignity and opening doors to opportunity. For individuals and families experiencing poverty or crisis, something as simple as a comfortable bed, cleaning products, or diapers for a baby can make an immeasurable difference. By addressing these everyday essentials, we not only provide immediate relief but also help reduce the long-term impacts of poverty and work to break the cycle of generational hardship.

Through START’s Basic Needs Support services, community members can access:

• Beds and bedding for children, giving every child a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

• Diapers and wipes through our partnership with The Village Diaper Bank, ensuring infants and toddlers are cared for with dignity.

• Period products, supporting the health, confidence, and school attendance of young people and adults.

• Socks and underwear, small essentials that provide comfort and self-respect.

• Items provided through START’s new Dignity Center, where families can access personal care and household essentials in a welcoming, stigma-free environment.

These items are more than supplies—they are acts of compassion that protect health, restore confidence, and create stability. When a family’s basic needs are met, parents can focus on employment and financial goals, children can learn and thrive, and the risk of generational poverty is reduced.

By offering dignity-driven support, START helps neighbors move beyond the stress of immediate need toward a future of hope and opportunity.