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Sudbury social workers push Transportation Fair and assistance as residents fear program cuts
Summary
Sudbury social workers said they are coordinating a Transportation Fair and outreach as residents voice worries about service disruptions from recent defunding and potential federal/state cuts; staff are also distributing scholarships and partnering with Fire and Library on housing and outreach.
Social workers from Sudbury's Health Department reported on outreach and client support efforts at the Oct. 15 Board of Health meeting, highlighting transportation assistance, holiday-season planning and housing help for unhoused residents.
Social worker Kirstin Wilcox said the office obtained and distributed scholarships for afterschool activities, organized community events including a thrift shop, coat drive and tulip planting, and is working with Longfellow Glen residents and property management to resolve housing issues. Wilcox added that staff are receiving training in somatic trauma integration to design programs for children and teens.
Nina Lurie described ongoing work on the Transportation Committee to offset interruptions following recent defunding of transportation programs and promoted an October 16 Transportation Fair at the Senior Center to raise awareness of remaining services and how they operate. Lurie said staff are planning for the upcoming holiday season, using gift cards and assistance programs to meet needs, and that staff are fielding many calls from residents worried about the potential impact of federal and state program cuts, government shutdowns or layoffs. She said the Social Work Office is coordinating referrals and resources and is collaborating with the Fire Department and Library to help unhoused individuals join housing wait lists.
The board did not take any formal action on the social-work items during the meeting but heard that staff are actively connecting residents to available resources and events intended to mitigate gaps in transportation and winter holiday support.
