TVCCA remains open to provide the critical human services needed by our community, especially during difficult times like these. TVCCA Provides Update on Current Program Services
In consideration of both our staff and clients’ health and well-being due to COVID-19, the decision was made to close our office buildings to the public in Norwich and New London effective March 17, 2020. The office staff are working and providing services through various means of technology. Many of the programs, like heating assistance, have received guidance from our funders allowing greater flexibility to provide services. Information and updates can be found on the TVCCA website and Facebook pages. TVCCA phone lines are open and clients can call to inquire about program services.
Senior Nutrition
Meals on Wheels: TVCCA Meals on Wheels provides meals to homebound seniors throughout Eastern Connecticut, covering 1200 miles from the shoreline to the Massachusetts border. Currently there are 600 clients on the program, but more clients are being added daily.
The Nutrition Services office in Bozrah has been fielding calls and enrolling additional Meals on Wheels referrals that have come in as a result of the COVID-19 closure of senior centers. As the current Coronavirus health situation has had many recent developments, the program is focused on assisting these homebound seniors to the best of its ability. To enroll in Meals on Wheels, participants must be age 60 or older and homebound.
Sanitation procedures continue to be followed at the agency’s Bozrah kitchen, with cleaning and disinfection of equipment, surfaces, and work areas and staff practicing social distancing to the best of their ability.
Meals on Wheels are being delivered daily for 85% of routes. For those routes where the regular volunteer or staff person is no longer able to deliver daily, multiple meals are being delivered by a staff person once a week as either a 5- or 7-day drop. The program will be
putting together emergency, shelf-stable meal boxes to be delivered in case a “Shelter In Place” directive is issued.
No senior is ever denied a meal due to an inability to pay, but it is important to note that these meals are not fully funded by government funding sources. A $3.00 suggested donation per meal is requested, but often the meal recipients struggle to provide that. Donations from the public are critical to ensure that meals can continue to be delivered to all who may need them.
Congregate: Lunch service at senior centers has been suspended. The program is coordinating with senior center Directors to identify at-risk seniors who may have difficulty accessing other food sources. Specifically, TVCCA has reached out to seniors who attended the senior centers using public and/or senior center transportation to ask if they would want or need frozen meals.
Child Development Preschool
Unfortunately, late Friday 3/13/20, TVCCA made the decision to close their childcare facilities to children. This was a very difficult decision for the agency however it was made in the best interest of the vulnerable infants and young children in their care. TVCCA has been committed to limiting the impact to staff and child development staff has continued working during this time. They have been calling parents, checking on the family needs, and working with the parents to keep the children engaged and learning. Additionally, TVCCA’s childcare programs (Head Start and Little Learners Early Education) have been posting videos to their Facebook pages to engage children in story time and staying active.
Contact numbers for those seeking assistance:
WIC: New London Area: 860-425-6620; Norwich Area: 860-425-6562
ENERGY: 860-425-6681
HEAD START: 860-425-6614
HOUSING: SECTION 8 / RAP 860-425-6520
ALL OTHER HOUSING SERVICES 860-425-6545
LITTLE LEARNERS: 860-425-6521
ALL OTHER INQUIRES / QUESTIONS: New London Area: 860-444-0006; Norwich Area: 860-889-1365
About TVCCA
Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. (TVCCA) is a private, non-profit organization that has been providing social services in southeastern Connecticut since 1965. TVCCA is well recognized as a community leader – and partner – in advocating for and meeting the needs of the region’s economically and otherwise disadvantaged citizens. For more information visit tvcca.org. 
