Social Service Programs

COVID-19 Food Assistance

For food assistance, Seniors can call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to find food distribution sites near them or ADRC at 954-745-9567 to inquire about their shopping assistance program.

Home bound Seniors that are socially isolated (without a relative or friend to pick up on their behalf) and homebound either due to transportation, disability or age, can reach out to Feeding South Florida at 954.518.1818. Their Client Services Team is available Monday-Friday from 8 am – 5 pm answering inbound calls and screening clients for eligibility for our home delivery program and referring them to the appropriate food assistance services if they are not eligible for delivery.

Food Distribution Sites

Food Distributions taking place in Tamarac are as follows:

• December 5th - Korean United Methodist Church of South Florida (6501 W. Commercial Blvd.) from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• December 9 - Christian Life Center (2699 West Commercial Boulevard) from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• December 12th - Korean United Methodist Church of South Florida (6501 W. Commercial Blvd.) from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• December 16th - Christian Life Center (2699 West Commercial Boulevard) from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• December 19th - Korean United Methodist Church of South Florida (6501 W. Commercial Blvd.) from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• December 21st - Community Christian Church (10001 W. Commercial Blvd) from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Rental Assistance

Residents can call 2-1-1 to inquire about assistance from United Way or the Family Success Center at 954-357-5000.

Holiday Food Assistance

The program is to provide holiday food assistance to Tamarac residents experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Applications will be reviewed and subject to documentation such as income and expenses and will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. Applications will be open until Monday, December 7th. Please call Social Services at (954) 597-3626.

Individual Counseling

Free limited sessions for Tamarac residents only by a licensed mental health therapist. Call counselors Lakshmi at (954) 655-7040 or Jessica at (954) 317-9460 to make an appointment. Please leave your name and phone number and your call will be returned within 24 hours.

Virtual VITA Services

The new virtual tax preparation service will continue the quality and accessibility of the previous VITA site service, but now using an online platform. This platform is available through the www.vitataxesfree.org website which will provide the list of important documents needed to upload, along with clear and concise instructions on how to start and follow the virtual tax process. The information and instructions will be available in three language – English, Spanish and Creole.  Our Broward Tax Pro/IRS certified staff will take over once documents have been uploaded to the platform. Staff will contact the taxpayer with questions, prepare and review return for accuracy and submit taxpayer signed, authorized returns electronically to the IRS. The taxpayer will receive their submitted tax return via electronic copy and the process is complete! All from the convenience of a computer, tablet or smart phone.  

Tax Hotline  - 954.678.6882 Representatives will be available Monday through Saturday (morning and evening hours) to answer your questions.

If your receiving unemployment for the first time, remember that having tax withheld from your benefits now can help you avoid owing taxes when you file next year.  https://go.usa.gov/xfzmM #IRS

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View the Social Services Programs flyer for a printable version of all City of Tamarac Social Services groups and programs. We also publish a monthly newsletter for your convenience.

To become a volunteer with the City of Tamarac, please call (954) 597-3642.

Can You Help?

Food Drive

You can make a difference! Please help us collect non-perishable food to help benefit those in our community. Take part in our food drive.

Carry-On Care Kits Campaign

The City of Tamarac would like to provide care packages containing one-week’s worth of personal care necessities to destitute women, men, and children.  Please help us with these special Carry-On Care Kits.

Social Services Programs/ Groups

Hear for Good

Free hearing tests and discount hearing aids through the non-profit foundation, Hear for Good Inc. Consultations are by appointment only. Please call (954) 597-3642. Please note this service is not available during the summer months of June, July, and August. 

Parenting Group

Group presented by Memorial Hospital Systems. When: Every Wednesday, 6:30 – 7:30 pm

Peace of Mind

Are you looking for Peace of Mind? Please join Licensed Psychologist from Jewish Family Services for group sessions on various topics.

When: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 10:00 – 11:00 am

Positive Adjustment Group

Learn coping skills on how to adjust to life changes including losing a loved one, health, daily living activities, moving, etc. A licensed mental health therapist will facilitate this important group for all seniors.
When: Every Monday, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Senior Lawn Enhancement Program

Do you need help with your lawn? We have a Senior Lawn Enhancement Program designed to allow youth to give back to those in need. Teens will assist adults with limited mobilities by completing outdoor duties such as light gardening, sweeping porches & driveways, trash/debris pickup and other light yardwork.  To qualify you must be a Tamarac resident, 55+ years of age, and be an adult with a limited disability. 

Senior Social

Join us for bagels and coffee and an educational lecture.
When: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 11:00 am

SHINE Counselor

Serving Health Insurance Needs for the Elderly. Questions regarding your Medicare/ Medicaid insurance? Call the Area Agency on Aging and Disability resource center to speak to a SHINE counselor: (954) 745-9779.

Special Needs Child?

Do you have a child with special needs? The City of Tamarac is creating an interest list for families interested in a future Parent & Family Support Group. If you are interested in participating in this group, please call (954) 597-3642 to be added to our interest list.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

Hurricane Season begins June 1st. If you or someone you know needs to be registered for Broward County’s Special Needs Shelter including transportation to the special needs shelter or Red Cross Shelter during hurricane evacuation, pre-registration is required. Please call Broward County Hurricane Preparedness at (954) 357-6385. Please read the flyer for information on special needs shelter, volunteering for hurricane season and information on the Vulnerable Population Registry (page 1 and page 2 of flier).  The Vulnerable Population Registry is for residents at risk due to disability, frailty or health issues, regardless of age, who elect to stay at home in the event of a hurricane or other emergency. The Registry is a partnership between Broward County and municipalities to help emergency responders better plan for recoveries from hurricanes and other emergencies. It is not a guarantee of assistance.