Stay Connected Training
Through Stay Connected, NCLC attorneys Charlie Harak, Jenifer Bosco, and Jeremiah Battle are offering free virtual trainings for advocates and front-line social service workers who work with low-income, Massachusetts clients to help residents avoid termination of their utility services. Advocates learn the eligibility requirements for electric utility discounts, how to prevent service from being shut off, and how to restore service if it was terminated. The training lasts about an hour and 45 minutes with a short break, and is presented on Zoom.
Advocates can request a live virtual training by e-mailing stayconnected@nclc.org. In your initial email please give us an idea of when you would like the training to take place (we need a minimum of three weeks to plan), and an estimate of how many attendees we could expect (we need at least 15 attendees to give the training). A copy of NCLC’s Utilities Advocacy for Low-income Households in Massachusetts and other course materials are available for download below, and will also be sent out prior to the live training.
A recording of the full training as well as training materials are available below. Please feel free to reach out to stayconnected@nclc.org with any questions.
Stay Connected Training Recording & Materials
If you view the training online, please fill out the evaluation form here.
Training Materials
- Utilities Advocacy for Low-Income Households in Massachusetts (2019 4th edition), by Charlie Harak, Jenifer Bosco and Ana Girón Vives
- Web-only appendices:
- Appendix F: Discount Rate Applications
- Appendix G: Termination Schedule
- Handout Packet
- PowerPoint Slides
Additional Materials
- Fact Sheet: Utility Help in Massachusetts, June 2021
- Assisting Massachusetts Victims of Crime and Domestic Violence Who are Having Problems Establishing a New Account or Paying Their Utility Bills, 2019
Consumer Education Brochures (English and Spanish)
Past Training
If you view the training online, please fill out the evaluation form here.
List of Handouts
- Training Outline (Slides)
- Sample Bills
- Scenarios
- Checklist of Key Utilities Protections
- Sample Intake Form in Between Chart of Protections and Retroactive Application of the Discount Rate
- Chart of Key Utilities Protections
- Water Brochure
- Evaluation Form
- Authorization for Release Form
- Discount Rate Informational Handout
- Lifeline Information
