As a community action agency, CSET works to improve living conditions and reduce the causes of poverty through a number of programs.

You are invited to review CSET's local plan for the CSBG American Recovery & Reinvestment ACT (ARRA).

CSBG Recovery Act Local Plan

Email us!

Free Income Tax Filing Assistance kicks off February 7th in Visalia, Tulare, Orosi & Porterville

CSET’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) provides free income tax filing assistance to low-income families and individuals with incomes of $42,000 or less. The program provides electronic filing (e-file) of taxes that allows households to receive their tax return within 5 to 10 days. Program service will be available February 7 - April 11, 2009 in Visalia, Tulare, Orosi and Porterville.

Press release (updated 2.3.09)
Required documents (English/Español)

Food Stamp Outreach Program
One-on-one application assistance is now available at CSET’s Earlimart office every Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and CSET’s Pixley office every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Outreach and assistance will be expanded to other communities in 2009. For more information, contact John Gutierrez, 559-757-1601 or 661-849-2960 or email john.gutierrez@cset.org. Se habla Español.

Press release 12.17.08

Champion Communities
Recognized by USDA, residents of Goshen, Pixley, Teviston, Earlimart, Tipton, Cutler, Orosi, and Woodville pursue their visions of safe, healthy, and prosperous places to live. Call Community Development at CSET for more information.

After School Programs
CSET partners with schools in Cutler-Orosi and Pixley to operate 21st Century Programs that provide educational, cultural, and recreational enrichment activities.

Tulare County Microenterprise Assistance Program
This program provides small business training, business counseling, technical assistance, and supportive services to owners of microenterprises and persons developing microenterprises in Tulare County, who meet income requirements, as defined by the State. The program’s Advanced Microenterprise Services (AMS) component, provides access to targeted business counseling, incubation services, and capital to program participants who have successfully completed training and demonstrate significant potential for rapid growth.

For more information please call CSET at (559) 688-3775 (South County) or (559) 528-1095 (North County) or the CCSBDC at (559) 625-3051.

Call (559) 732-4194 and ask for the Adult Training Services Department for information on the following workforce development opportunities.

On-the-Job Training
Eligible participants learn new job skills while working and earning a living. Employers can save money and train their own way by participating in this program.

Proven Performers 55+
There is no reason for age to be a barrier to continued employment. Let us be your career coach if you are 55
years plus. We provide retraining opportunities.

Women Without Limits
If you need to earn more money for your family than your traditional skills will bring you, learn a nontraditional
trade.

Adult Career Transitions (ACT)
Assists those receiving cash aid to develop job skills through a variety of workshops, find and retain full-time employment, and become self supporting.

Veterans Services
CSET’s Veterans Services program provides information on benefits, assistance in obtaining benefits, services such as job placement, on-the-job training and workshops, and referrals. For more information, call CSET and ask for the Veterans Services Advisor.

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Junior Leadership
This activity-based leadership development program relies on the belief that youth learn by doing. The curriculum is designed to be highly interactive and flexible to foster the creativity and full participation of youth. Community-based meetings help youth to take on leadership roles in their community, today & in the future. Click here for more.

Tulare County Youth Corps
Youth Corps offers many exciting education and career preparation opportunities. Earn your high school diploma at our charter school and make money while you learn job skills on the job. Call 732-4194 for orientation dates and time.

Youth Transitions
Youth Transitions is a program designed to serve our most vulnerable youth, ages 16-21. Emancipated foster youth and youth currently in foster care are a primary focus of this program. The Transitions collaborative offers training, job placement, mentoring, and support services. These young people gain the skills and confidence necessary for successful transitioning to adulthood, employment and self-sufficient lives. Click here for brochure (PDF 135 KB).

Construction Trades Training
Learn the building trades while building homes for low-income families. This program is part of the Youth Corps.

Recycling Services
The Youth Corps has an extensive program of recycling education in schools, curbside pickup, operation of the Goshen Recycling, litter abatement, recreational area recycling, and environmental education. Learn valuable and varied career skills while making your community a better place to live.

SEQUOIA SSTARS
Join a SSTARS Club in your community and earn a summer-time camping experience! You'll participate in recycling and other environmental and community service projects. Call the Youth Corps Department at CSET for information.

Energy & Housing Department

Foreclosure Counseling
Foreclosure Hotline 559-741-4646

If you are a homeowner in danger of losing your home, CSET may be able to help. Our counselors can help you understand your options and provide information that may help save your home.

Please leave your full name, telephone number and the best time to call on our foreclosure hotline number (559-741-4646). One of our counselors will return your call as soon as possible. Services are free and our counselors are bilingual (English/Español).

- For a list of items you are required to bring to your appointment, please click here.
- Para ver una lista de documentos que tiene que traer a la cita, por favor oprima aquí.

- To download and print intake forms, please click here.
- Formas en Español, oprima aquí.

- Foreclosure counseling client/counselor contract click here.
- Contrato de cliente y consejero de embargo de hipoteca, oprima aqui.

Sponsored by Rural Community Assistance Corporation and Neighbor Works.

Understanding Your Mortgage Options Workshops
~Dates to be announced.~

City of Visalia First-Time Homebuyer Program

Weatherization

The Weatherization program is provided at no cost to low-income families who own or rent an apartment, home or mobile home in Tulare County. The goal of the program is to help low-income households reduce heating and energy costs by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Residents gain valuable information on how to conserve energy and improve energy related health and safety conditions.

Eligible residents receive cost effective measures such as: weather stripping of exterior doors, water restrictors and low-flow shower heads, water heater blankets, switch and outlet gaskets, lighting retrofits, carbon monoxide detectors, glass window repair or replacement, gas appliance repair or replacement and other minor home repairs.

Utility Assistance

CSET’s utility assistance program helps pay utility bills for low-income families in Tulare County. Once a year, low-income families in Tulare County can have either their Southern California Gas or Southern California Edison bill paid through CSET’s Utility Assistance Program.

In addition to financial assistance, we also provide applicants with Energy Conservation Information. This information is presented weekly during Energy Orientations held in various communities throughout Tulare County. Orientation schedules can be provided upon request

CSET Utility Assistance Locations List - Find out where assistance is available near you!

Or call our hotline: 559-741-4658.

Housing Assistance

CSET’s Housing Assistance services are available through the Energy Food and Shelter Program. This program is available to CSET participants who are low-income and reside in Tulare County. Specific eligibility guidelines are required and families can utilize rental assistance once a year. CSET also provides section 8 housing through the Tulare County Housing Authority. CSET may refer/enroll a maximum of three families a month for section 8 assistance.

Visalia Senior Home Repair

The Senior Home Repair Program provides quality home repairs for adults over 55 and/or disabled living within the Visalia City limits. The labor is provided at no cost. Eligible participants are responsible for the cost of parts and material. Our technicians provide a variety of repairs, such as broken windows, cooler maintenance, door repair, floor repair, plumbing, minor roof repair, deadbolt lock installation, screens and much more. For more info please call 559-741-4650.

Senior Home Repair Brochure (English/Español)