Public assistance.

Campus and Community Resources, External Links.

General Information and Multi-Service Agencies

  • Department of Human Services: The DHS provides a wide range of services for Michigan's residents and families, including cash and food assistance programs, child support, medical services, assistance with child care, emergency services, adult and child protection, foster care, and adoption. For more information, click the link above, or call (517) 887-9400 in Ingham County.
  • The Human Relations and Community Services Department: Pursues local government mandates to cultivatediversity, equal opportunity and nondiscrimination, and address human services needs in the Lansing community. activities include neighborhood dispute mediation, investigation of citizen complaints against police personnel, enforcing prevailing wage laws (local and federal), monitoring City government EEO/Affirmative Action compliance, and participation in community groups addressing a wide range of social concerns. Contact: (517) 483-4477, or HRCS@ci.lansing.mi.us .

Cash Assistance

  • The Family Independence Program: The Family Independence Program (FIP) provides cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women to help them pay for living expenses such as rent, heat, utilities, clothing, food and personal care items. They are one program under the umbrella of the Department of Human Services. Call (517) 887-9400 to begin the process of signing up for services.

Food and Nutrition

  • Ingham County Food Bank: Provides nutritionally balanced emergency food packages to families. The Ingham County Food Bank coordinates the efforts of human service agencies and area churches participating in emergency food distribution. Contact: (517) 887-4357.
  • The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP): Provides food and nutrition education to low-income families with children. Instructors, hired from the communities in which they work, teach a series of lessons that include practical skills in planning healthy meals and snacks, budgeting money for food expenses and food safety. They adapt activities to match the skills and interests of participants. Education could be provided to individuals in their homes or to groups of individuals in a community setting. Contact: (517) 432-7008.
  • The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program: A supplemental food and nutrition education program for those women and children who qualify, as nutritionally at risk due to income or medical deficiencies. Income eligibility for WIC is determined under the Federal Guidelines of 185% of poverty. WIC also uses a priority assignment system in order to guarantee service to those with the greatest need for the program. WIC services are available at the Ingham County Health Department, for additional information and for appointments call 887-4326. A satellite office has been set up at 1434-C in Spartan Village.

Child Care

  • Financing Childcare: The Family Resource Center has compiled a listing of various organizations and programs set up to assist in the financing of child care. Please click the link above for more information.
  • "SpartanKids" Childcare Grant Program for Students with Children: "Spartan Kids" is a childcare grant that reduces the cost of childcare for Michigan State University students. Contact the Family Resource Center for more information at (517) 432-3745.
  • MSU Child Care Grant: The MSU Child Care Grant Program provides funds to students with children to assist in meeting the cost of licensed child care during the school year. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at (517) 353-5940.
  • Spartan Child Development Center: the center is dedicated to meeting the needs of children ages two weeks to seven years in an environment that nurtures and guides their individual growth and development. MSU Students who have children enrolled at SCDC may be eligible for reduced fees. Contact: (517) 353-5154.
  • CACS Head Start: dedicated to creating a comprehensive, culturally sensitive, nurturing, safe and healthy learning environment in which children, families and staff are inspired to reach their fullest potential. To learn more about the Head Start Program, call 517-482-1504.

Housing

  • The Greater Lansing Housing Coalition: Provides quality affordable housing for low and moderate income persons and help revitalize neighborhoods. City of Lansing in partnership with the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition (GLHC) provides programs that allow low and moderate income households to buy their own home. Contact: (517) 372-5980.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Michigan: More than 200,000 volunteers have been recruited and trained to build houses for people in need in Michigan. Michigan Habitat affiliates have built more than 2,200 Habitat homes, providing more than 10,000 individuals with housing. Michigan affiliates are building homes at the rate of 200 houses annually. Contact: (517) 485-1006.
  • MSU College of Law Rental Housing Clinic: provides services to tenants and landlords who have some type of rental property issue. The Clinic offers traditional legal counsel as well as educational programs for tenants and landlords. Contact: (517) 336-8088.

Health Care

  • Ingham County Health Department: Provides a wide range of health care services to protect and promote the health of Ingham County Residents. The Health Department has 9 different locations in which they provide direct service to residents. Click on the link above for more information, or call the Department at (517) 887-4311.

Employment

  • Work First: Provides job search services, education and training programs, and employment-related supportive services such as transportation allowances, uniforms, tools, and automobile repairs to families receiving some kind of public assistance. Contact: (517) 335-5858.
  • Capital Area Michigan Works!: Offers and facilitates workforce development services to prepare people to become employable, to obtain a job and to progress in their careers. Contact: (517) 492-5500.