CSG | Community Software Group

Simplifying Food Pantry Operations with the new CSG Code Scanner Mobile App/food pantry module

April 13, 2023 CSG Team CSG

Food pantries are a critical part of addressing hunger and food insecurity in our communities. However, managing food distribution to those in need can be a challenging task, especially with limited resources and volunteer staff. To address those challenges, we’re excited to introduce our new mobile app designed to streamline food pantry operations and improve the client experience.

Our app utilizes QR tags that can be assigned to individual recipients and scanned at check-in and checkout, allowing for quick and accurate verification of their identity and eligibility.

This system eliminates the need for paper records and minimizes the risk of errors and confusion.

By using our app, food pantries can reduce wait times and improve the overall efficiency of their operations while ensuring that all data is accurately recorded and easily accessible.

The app is fully integrated with CSG Engage, our case management system, which means that food pantry staff can easily access client data, including their eligibility status, history, and preferences. This feature enables the staff to provide prompt service to clients and ensure that they receive the appropriate amount and type of food.

The CSG Code Scanner app is incredibly user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy for volunteers and staff to use. Currently it is available on iOS and can be used on a wide range of Wi-Fi enabled iPads.

People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) has introduced the CSG Code Scanner app in their new food bank in New Bedford, MA. They assigned over 500 QR tags in the first week of the rollout. Gary Melo, Assistant Director at the food center says, “It has single handedly made what would have been a 5 to 6-minute check-in turn into a 20-second check-in. It has also increased the happiness of our clients that no longer have to wait in lines to sign in to get their food.”

At CSG, we’re passionate about using technology to make a difference in the world. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer this innovative mobile app to food pantries, helping to ensure that food distribution is efficient, accurate, and equitable. If you’re a food pantry looking to improve your operations and better serve your community, don’t hesitate to give CSG Code Scanner app a try.

Introducing Our New Asset Building Module

January 5, 2022 CSG Team CSG

For almost three decades CSG has been dedicated to meeting the needs of those who support the low-income community by providing innovative and customized, solution-focused technology. The new Asset Building Module is a prime example of CSG’s commitment.

For many, escaping poverty seems an unattainable dream; it is difficult to plan for the future when there is not enough money to meet the needs of today. However, multiple studies indicate that assets, such home ownership or even obtaining higher education can provide security and an economic trajectory that can be life changing for low-income families. Asset Building programs are designed to provide the financial education, guidance, and incentives needed to set families on the path to self-sufficiency.

Of course, successful Asset Building programs require strategic thinking, meticulous planning, and the ability to generate meaningful data. CSG’s Asset Building Module provides a streamlined and efficient application to successfully manage Asset Building programs. The Asset Building Module allows the comprehensive management of a program from budget creation to measuring outcomes. Completely customizable, the Asset Building Module can be licensed as a standalone product or integrated with other CSG products such as Engage, for even more effective client and data management. The Asset Building Module is ideal for not only agencies, but as a state or network wide solution for online reporting between funding sources and their grantees.

If you’re a nonprofit of any size seeking case management software that both delivers off the shelf and evolves with you, please consider contacting us for an information session or demo at: https://communitysoftwaregroup.com/demo/

Our Commitment To Assisting Non-Profits In Supporting Low-Income Families.

August 11, 2021 CSG Team CSG

A commitment to helping nonprofits support low-income families is the cornerstone of why CSG was founded. Nowhere is that better evident than in our sales and support for smaller agencies.

CSG Engage, our highly configurable case management tool, has a fee structure that scales to accommodate agencies of all sizes. And, since our software is a browser-based, software-as-service product, typical office workstations are all that is needed to use it. The crowning jewel in this package is our unlimited support policy. Your questions and concerns are fielded by technical advisors who take pride in building the relationships that make it easy to get help and ask “what if?” questions about how our software can continue being tailored to your needs.

Homeless Prevention Council (HPC), a nonprofit in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has been our CSG Engage client for two-plus years. Technical Analyst Remy Miller works closely with HPC to interpret and implement reporting requirements from funding and governing bodies, ensuring the report and supporting data capture are all to specifications. Of her work with HPC, Remy says, “It is very gratifying to assist HPC in the amazing work they do to help people find housing, keep people in their homes, and so much more. Their passion and understanding for their clients comes through every time they ask how to get even more value from their software system to better serve their clients and to advocate on their [clients’] behalf as they report case management data to their funding sources.”

Considering a public portal? Read about the Mass. LIHEAP Public Portal and let us know your needs.

March 5, 2021 CSG Team CSG

Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Community Software Group jointly launched the Massachusetts LIHEAP public portal, making available an online fuel assistance application. With social distancing still in effect and agencies restricting physical access to their offices, the availability of the portal creates an additional, safe means for fuel assistance applications to be submitted and processed.

With the public portal in place, people in Massachusetts interested in fuel assistance can find their local LIHEAP agency’s portal using a zip code locator service. If that agency is using the portal, clients can set up an account, fill out an application, schedule a phone appointment, and upload supporting documents using a web browser running on their home computer or smart phone, all on their own time. Currently more than half of Massachusetts’s 22 fuel assistance agencies have adopted the portal, and the expectation is that all agencies will have the portal for the 2021-22 fuel assistance season.

For agencies with staff working at home, the portal can be paired with Community Software Group’s cloud-based IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system, allowing both in-office and remote workers to collaborate in answering LIHEAP-related calls from a shared call center. The office phone system is optional since calls can be answered from a browser. The IVR system also includes an automated menu and voicemail, so that clients have 24/7 access to information about their application status and can leave a voice message that can be managed via the call center when the agency is open. Together, the public portal and IVR system help agencies safely manage the changed workflow requirements caused by COVID-19 and social distancing.

The best news for those in every state is that the technology can be completely customized for your use. Operation Fuel, a large fuel assistance organization in Connecticut, also uses a portal developed by Community Software Group, configured to meet their own data management and legal requirements. Community Software Group’s portal software can be configured to handle applications and related tasks for most any type of application, with our support team able to design and modify custom data entry “flows” that function on top of an extensible, cloud-based technology stack. These flows will communicate directly with whatever CSG case management or program administration software you wish to use.

If you’re interested in hearing more about the portal or IVR technology or scheduling a demo please email Tina.Sargent@CommunitySoftwareGroup.com

Helping The Community Through Scholarships

August 27, 2020 CSG Team CSG

The Community Scholarship is a program run by Springfield Partners for Community Action. We are proud to say that CSG has been one of the sponsors of this program for the past several years.

Through giving these scholarships, we have helped to empower the lives of several people in the Springfield, MA community. We at Community Software Group are grateful for the opportunity to be able to help to make a difference in the lives of these young individuals.
Below is a description of the winners of scholarships sponsored this year by CSG.

How Can CSG Help My Agency During The COVID Crisis?

June 15, 2020 CSG Team CSG

COVID-19 is changing how we all do business these days. From our state government clients requesting changes to LIHEAP, Weatherization, and Fiscal Reporting software to handle crucial adjustments of additional funding; changing fiscal years; and contract amendments to our non-profit clients trying to juggle more community needs; working from home; and trying to anticipate future reporting requirements.

The New CSG Client Public Portal

June 10, 2020 CSG Team CSG

Are you trying to Social Distance your Staff? Do you need a remote solution for your clients to fill out an application during this pandemic? The CSG Client Public Portal can solve your needs.

We offer one price for unlimited technical support for our client management software, CSG Engage!

June 9, 2020 CSG Team CSG

Worried about asking too many questions of your software company or needing too much help?

Don’t be!

Community Software Group (CSG) offers one price for unlimited technical support assistance for our client management software. No more keeping track of what your agency has used up and how much time you have left.