Community News & Resources

Research Study

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking participants for a paid
research study to improve mental healthcare for older, African-American
patients at Barnes Jewish Hospital. Click here to download the file.

 

 

Senior Advice

Many aging adults are unaware of the available care options and programs that can help them maintain their independence and quality of life. So we created free resources that provides comprehensive information on topics like financial support and in-home care options that are available in their area. You can read more about our work here by clicking on the links below or click on the Senior Advice ads.

Community Information

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Local Public Hearings – Why Your Testimony Matters

Missouri American Water and Ameren have proposed significant rate increases.

  • Missouri-American Water Company has requested a +25.7% increase in revenues.
  • Ameren Missouri has requested an +11.64% increase spread evenly across all customer classes. This includes a proposed increase from $8.00 to $13.00 in the monthly fixed residential customer charge.

You can influence the outcome of the proposed rate hikes. Local public hearings, which will occur in January and February 2023, provide an opportunity to let the Missouri Public Service Commission know how higher water and Ameren rates would affect you. Consumers Council has found customer testimony to be invaluable in demonstrating the difficulties that many Missourians have not only paying their utility bills, but also balancing those bills with the pressure of housing, groceries, and medication expenses.

Attend the hearings and urge your friends and acquaintances to get involved. The number of people who show up for the public testimony makes a statement about how strongly utility consumers feel.

Click below for hearing details.

Missouri American Water Hearings – Time and Place
Ameren Hearings – Time and Place

Want more information about the rate cases and hearings?

Wednesday, January 18 @ 6:00 pm Hybrid Meeting at Deaconess Center, 1000 North Vandeventer Ave, St. Louis, MO 63113

Join Consumers Council of Missouri, Homes for All St. Louis, Metropolitan Congregations United, River City Climate Collective, and the Sierra Club for a Community Action Meeting in preparation for the Ameren Rate Case. Register and get more information here

Monday, January 23rd at 6:30 pm (virtual meeting)

Join Consumers Council’s Director of Advocacy, Jackie Hutchinson, for an interactive workshop on how your testimony at a local public hearing can make a difference. Register and get more information here

Other News: Ameren Evening/Morning Rate

“Ideally, no one should be put on a utility rate without their affirmative consent,” John Coffman, Utility Counsel

Consumers Council recently learned that Ameren customers did not realize that they were placed on the Evening/Morning Rate when they failed to “Opt Out” of that rate. The Evening/Morning Rate is a billing arrangement in which the price of electricity changes based on the time of day. Electricity is more expensive during “peak hours,” when there is high demand, and less expensive during hours of low demand. The peak (more expensive) hours are from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. As indicated on Ameren’s website, “To save on this rate, you need to change when you use energy.”

Currently, the cost difference between the Evening/Morning Rate and Anytime rate may be very small. However, Consumers Council believes that requiring customers to “Opt Out” to avoid being placed in this program fails to give customers, who may have overlooked the notice regarding this change, an informed choice.

We recommend that Ameren customers carefully review their account. If you have been placed on the Evening/Morning Rate without your knowledge and wish to switch to a different rate, go to Ameren’s Customer Service Center

If you want to voice a complaint regarding Ameren’s process, call the Missouri Public Service Commission’s toll-free hotline (1-800-392-4211).

Consumers Council is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. Our work is not possible without the support of donors. Please consider making a contribution today. Even the smallest little bit helps a lot!

Donate to Consumers Council

Community Information

The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) at The T is launching giving campaign called “Get the Lead Out”. We are a grassroots health center that aims to reduce the impact of trauma in St. Louis.
The BRIC provides wound care, holistic pain management, and bullet removals for people who
were shot. The goal of “Get the Lead Out” is to raise money to support this work, so please consider donating today! See how you can “Get the Lead Out”. 

Click the link below, or contact Zarek Burton (zarek@thetstl.com) for more information: 
https://linktr.ee/thebric

 

DHSS AIM Testing Schedule

This lab based RT PCR Test is the “Gold Standard” in Covid-19 Testing and can be used for airline travel and can be used for entrance into restricted events.

dhss-covid-testing-urban-league-stl.dragonflyphd.com

Click on images below to open and enlarge documents …

Ameren MO DIY Kits Program

Click on the Ameren program flyer to view.

MO DNR Weatherization Assistance

In 1977, The Missouri Department of Natural Resources responded to the energy crisis of the early 1970s, establishing the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (LIWAP) in the Division of Energy. The program provides cost-effective energy-efficient home improvements to Missouri’s low income households, especially the elderly, children, those with physical disadvantages, and others hit hardest by high utility costs. The program aims to lower utility bills and improve comfort while ensuring health and safety. Today, weatherization is the nation’s largest residential energy efficiency program.

Learn more about MO DNR Weatherization Assistance Program by clicking on this link: https://energy.mo.gov/assistance-programs/liwap

What is Show-Me Hope?

Show-Me Hope is a statewide crisis counseling program (CCP) to address the emotional needs of every Missourian dealing with the impacts of COVID19.  All services are free, confidential, virtual, and follow best practices of pandemic/disaster response. Local CCP staff (or experts they recruit) deliver information and education on:

  stress management and coping techniques

  problem solving skills and connection to community services/resources

•  building resilience now and for the future

Access these Resources Now!

  SHOW-ME HOPE Disaster Distress Helpline

Talk to a counselor now.  Free confidential services available 24/7.  Everyone is eligible to call.

Phone: 800/985-5990 Text: “TalkWithUs” to 66746

  MOShowMeHope.org   

One stop shop for coping and stress management resources, self-care tools and links to our statewide network of Show-Me Hope teams.

•  DMH CARES Show-Me Hope Tuesdays 3:30-4:00 pm.

Self-care seminars free via WebEx; registration required. Open to everyone. The  Registration Link takes you to the State of Missouri WebEx site.  Look for the DMH CARES listings by date and click on the registration link.  Provide the required information and that’s it.

Show-Me Hope is here for you and your family! If you have constituents feel free to contact me to connect with someone who can discuss ways that we can support your efforts. Will you help us get the word out about Show-Me Hope?