We provide a range of services to homeless and low-income individuals and families, and work with a number of organizations locally and nationally. For more information on a CUCS program or service, feel free to contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
If after looking through our site you are unable to find the help you are looking for, the following links may be a great place to start for New York City residents.
Mental Health
Coalition for Voluntary Mental Health Agencies (CVMHA) An advocacy organization of New York City's mental health community, representing over 100 non-profit community-based mental health agencies.
Mental Health Association of New York City, Inc. An organization that works to change attitudes about mental illnesses, improve services for children and adults with psychiatric disabilities, and to promote mental health in the community through its direct service programs.
New York Association for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS)
Timothy's Law Campaign
A state-wide coalition of people who use and/or provide recovery-oriented community-based services.
Resource Center for Children with Special Needs An independent, not-for-profit organization that provides information and referral, case management and support, individual and systemic advocacy, parent and professional training, library and information services to New York City parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and special needs and to the professionals who work with them.
American Journal of Psychiatry The official journal of the American Psychiatric Association.
Bipolar Disorder About.com guide to bipolar disorder.
Dr. Bob's Page Extensive links for both mental health and university sites connected with mental health issues; also a good list of organizations concerned with mental health issues/treatment.
KEN (Knowledge Exchange Network) The CMHS National Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) provides information about mental health via toll-free telephone services, an electronic bulletin board, and publications.
Mental Health Infosource Large, interactive, mental health website featuring latest mental health news, employment opportunities, ask the expert FAQ's and links to other related sites.
Mental Health Net The oldest and largest online mental health directory guide.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill The nation's leading grassroots advocacy organization solely dedicated to improving the lives of persons with severe mental illnesses.
Psych Central - Dr. John Grohol's Mental Health Page Extensive links for information on many and varied mental health issues.
Employment
VESID The Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, helps people with disabilities, who are eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, find and keep suitable employment. Services provided include vocational assessment, career planning and training. You can also apply using the Online VESID application .
The New York State DOL The mission of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is to help New York work by preparing individuals for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The Department is committed to providing business with qualified workers, and to giving workers the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Additionally, the Department of Labor administers unemployment insurance for individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own while they seek new work.
KEN (Knowledge Exchange Network) The CMHS National Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) provides information about mental health via toll-free telephone services, an electronic bulletin board, and publications. The National Center for Mental Health Services developed KEN for users of mental health services and their families, the general public, policy makers, providers, and the media. Enter the word "employment" in the search field of the home page, and KEN will provide you with an extensive list of documents on the subject.
Social Security Administration (SSA) This is a good site for people receiving Social Security benefits or for those thinking of applying. Find out how to apply for benefits, reach social security, apply for services and more. Information in Spanish is also included.http://www.ssa.gov/espanol/publist2.html. The extensive library of Social Security publications can be accessed online.
Matrix Research Institute (MRI) is a non-profit research and training center. MRI seeks to improve the lives of people who face special challenges in living and working independently in community settings. One of MRI's primary focuses is on the employment needs of persons with serious mental illness. MRI has trainings, publications, research projects and more devoted to the employment needs of individuals with serious mental illness.
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) collects and distributes the results of federally funded research projects. NARIC's literature collection includes books, journal articles, and audiovisuals. They are funded to serve consumers and advocates who are interested in rehabiliation and disability. Services include information and referral, customized database searches, and document delivery. Check out their employment/training/transition to work database.
$5.15 is Not Enough Campaign The Campaign is a coalition of hundreds of political, community, labor and clergy organizations working to raise the minimum wage.
Homelessness and Housing
Supportive Housing Network of NY (SHNNY) The Network represents the statewide supportive housing community of over 160 non-profit organizations that have developed and operate over 26,000 units of safe, affordable housing with on-site services. SHNNY advocates to increase the supply of supportive housing and enables providers to expand their own capacity to develop and innovate.
Homeless People's Discussion Network A list serve offering homeless people working with activist groups, street newspapers, and other homeless-run projects, a space to share information daily.
National Housing Institute: Shelterforce On-Line Published by the National Housing Institute, Shelterforce is the nation's oldest continually-published housing and community development magazine.
Picture the Homeless An organization led by homeless people on the principle that homeless people have civil and human rights. The group's mission is to challenge the root causes of homelessness and change quality of life laws that criminalize homeless people. ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines NPRM Index the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board whose primary mission is accessibility for people with disabilities.
Directory of Homeless & Housing Advocacy Coalitions Homeless and housing advocacy coalitions working on the statewide and local (community or county) level.
Institute on Independent Living: Disability Resources Offers training materials, technical
assistance and information on personal assistance, advocacy, access, legislation and peer support.
The National Resource Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness A service of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Extensive information, fact sheets, and annotated bibliographies (many of which can be ordered for free online, or use their toll free number). Also a site with many useful links.
U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Everything a person would want to know about HUD services, funding, Fair Housing issues, and many useful links.
Homeless Assistance Providers For HUD grantees who are providing homeless assistance, activists, and others interested in helping the homeless.
National Coalition for the Homeless A very good site for factual information about homelessness; very helpful fact sheets that you can download. An extensive library of resources that you can search for specific issues (they have a very user friendly search method), and obtain ordering information for specific documents. Helpful links to sites about homelessness, (US & International), housing, poverty, government, legislation, political, and advocacy organizations (all annotated).
National Low Income Housing Coalition the only national organization dedicated solely to ending America's affordable housing crisis.
Government
New York City Government
The Mayor's Office
New York City Council
New York City Department of Homeless Services
Office of the Public Advocate
Office of the Comptroller
New York State Government
New York State Office of Mental Health Offers updated information related to mental health service delivery, such as Managed Care planning, State strategic planning and the latest research on best practices. Also has useful links to both government and private sites. The Governor's Office
New York State Assembly
New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register
New York State Comptroller
New York State Department of Health - Office of Continuing Care
New York State Senate
U.S. Government
The President
The U.S. Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives
The Social Security Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services) A very useful place to begin a search for relevant substance abuse treatment information. Many free resources are available from SAMHSA, such as best practices information, recent research monographs, etc. Government links and links to other SAMSHA sponsored resources.
Medicaid(a division of the US Health Care Financing Administration) Online information about Medicaid (and Medicare). This site has its own search engine to quickly locate the information you need. Helpful links for both consumers and professionals.
Advocacy
Asian Americans for Equality A 30 year old organization committed to advancing the rights of Asian Americans through advocacy, immigrant assistance, social services, affordable housing and economic development
Association for Community Living The Association for Community Living (ACL) is a statewide membership organization of non-profit agencies that provide a broad array of housing and rehabilitative services to persons diagnosed with a serious mental illness.
Battered Women's Hotline A national violence prevention organization with more than 80 programs throughout the five boroughs.
Center for Community Problem Solving The Center works with low-income, immigrant communities of color to address legal, social, economic, health and political problems.
Center for Independence for the Disabled of New York (CIDNY) Part of the Independent Living Centers movement, the Center is a national network of grassroots and community-based organizations that enhance opportunities for all people with disabilities to direct their own lives.
Center on Social Welfare Policy and Law (The Welfare Law Center) The Center advocates with and on behalf of low-income people and provides information about developments in welfare law and policy
Citizens Union Foundation Both watchdog for the public interest and advocate for good government at City Hall and the State Capitol, the Foundation works to ensure fair elections, clean campaigns, transparent governing and responsible governance. Citizens Union seeks to inform the debate on public issues, and influence the formulation of public policy that affects the lives of all New Yorkers.
City-Wide Task Force on Housing Count, Inc. The Task Force is a non-profit coalition established in 1981 to address the systemic challenges to justice in New York City's Housing Court.
Coalition for After-School Funding (CASF) CASF is a statewide after-school organizing campaign which provide parents, youth, after-school providers, community groups and law enforcement officials a united voice and collective mission of increasing state funding for after-school programs.
Coalition for Institutionalized Aged and Disabled (CIAD) The Coalition is an organization of nursing home and adult home resident councils dedicated to protecting the rights of residents and improving the quality of their life and care.
COMM-ORG: The On-Line Conference on Community Organizing and Development A 10-year-old list serve designed to link academics and activists, and theory and practice, toward the goal of improving community organizing and its related projects.
Community Tool Box: Bringing Solutions to Light University of Kansas. A resource of over 6,000 pages of practical information to support efforts to promote community health and development.
Law Help Lawhelp.org aims to provide both legal and lawyer referral information to people with low-incomes, as well as to provide support and information to attorneys and the advocates serving them.
National Coalition for Homeless Vets The National Coalition for Homeless Vets is a resource and technical assistance center for a national network of nearly 250 community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, and legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.
The New York Immigration Coalition The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization for approximately 150 groups in New York State that work with immigrants and refugees. The Center serves as a powerful advocate, analyzing the impact of immigration policy proposals, and promoting and protecting the rights of immigrants and their family members.
Urban Justice Center The Urban Justice Center provides legal representation and advocacy to poor and homeless New Yorkers. The Center defends the rights of people often overlooked or turned away by other organizations including the homeless, the mentally ill, domestic violence survivors, individuals struggling with addiction and others.
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law A "one-stop" web resource for the most current information about mental health service delivery. Access to information to keep up with the quickly changing landscape, including changes in benefits, entitlements, disability, etc. Special sections on aging, children, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Fair Housing, and Mental Health Care. Particularly helpful are the timely "alerts", about what advocacy efforts are needed on what issues "now". Extensive and well annotated listing of relevant links.
Advocacy for Mental Illness is an organization of affiliated self-help, support and advocacy groups for families and friends of persons with severe and persistent mental illness.
