Social Services

	About Us
	Contact Us If You Need
	How To Reach Us
	We Are Located At

About Us A wide array of Community Social work services are offered to Ridgefield residents through the Department. Services are provided to families and non-disabled adults by the Director, who is also the Agent for the Disabled and the Town's federally mandated Americans With Disabilities Act Coordinator. Services specifically for senior citizens are provided by the Municipal Agent for the Elderly. Department members are always available to provide information and referral services to Ridgefield residents as well as to assist them in applying for local, State and Federal benefit programs for which they may qualify. In addition, the Department maintains a Food Pantry, located at Ridgefield Town Hall on the 2nd floor, which is open to all local residents in need. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Donations of non-perishable food as well as personal care and household products are always appreciated. Donations may be brought to the Social Services Deaprtment in Town Hall; please call in advance for larger donations.  Several programs that address a variety of needs within the community are also offered. They include: Cell Phones for Safe Seniors and People with Disabilities. This program provides deactivated cell phones capable of reaching 911 to these two groups of residents in order to give them the ability to contact emergency services when not in their homes. Both the phones and the service are free. The Department accepts donations of phones and chargers on an on-going basis. Friendly Shopper Service Program. This program matches volunteers, trained by the Director, with seniors and disabled people who need a companion to take them shopping. New volunteer shoppers are always welcome in the Program. The Latchkey Kid Program. Latchkey Kid offers assistance to low-income, single parent, working families in paying for before- and after-school daycare for children between the ages of 5 and 12. The Campership Program. This Program provides financial assistance to needy Ridgefield youngsters to enable them to attend the Parks and Recreation Department Day Camp during the summer months. The Department of Social Services also maintains the Ridgefield Emergency Fund which is supported entirely by donations. Funds are used to purchase food certificates, home heating fuel, electricity, clothing, and other basic needs for financially distressed local residents. Tax-deductible contributions are always both much needed and much appreciated. Checks payable to the Emergency Fund may be mailed directly to the Department of Social Services, 400 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877.

Contact Us If You Need... Special Services For Seniors There are many services available to our elderly residents through the Department of Social Services and the Town of Ridgefield. Among them is a Fuel Assistance Program for those who heat with electricity, oil or gas, a Rent Rebate Program for those who rent their homes and a Property Tax Deferment Program for those who own their own homes. In addition, financial assistance may be available to low income seniors for specific needs. The State of Connecticut also offers programs that can be applied for through this Department. Chief among them is ConnPACE, a program to help financially limited seniors purchase prescription drugs. SweetHART bus applications are on hand and assistance in completing the form is available. Please call the Municipal Agent for the Elderly for further information and/or for assistance. Special Services for the Disabled The Department provides assistance to persons with disabilities with filing for Social Security Disability, Title XIX (Medicaid) as well as applications for fuel assistance, ConnPACE, Nu-Start, housing applications and certification for SweetHART Bus passes. Transportation for emergency out of town medical appointments can sometimes be arranged for disabled residents. The Agent for the Disabled is available to accompany clients to Social Security, State Social Services and Department of Mental Retardation offices when required. The Department also provides special parking permit applications, as well as outreach for services that include legal, medical and housing. If you require assistance in any of the above areas, or in an area that has not been mentioned, please call the Municipal Agent for the Disabled to explore your unique requirements.

How to Reach Us Carole Konner, Director of Social Services, Municipal Agent for the Disabled and Americans With Disabilities Act Coordinator 203 431-2777 or socialservices@ridgefieldct.org Jeanne Wolnick, Municipal Agent For the Elderly 203 431-2754 or municipalagent@ridgefieldct.org Karen Gaudian, Department Assistant By Mail: Department of Social Services 400 Main Street Ridgefield, CT  06877

We Are Located At The Department of Social Services is located on the elevator-accessible second floor of Town Hall. Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday