South Central Missouri Community Action Agency Serving People Since 1965

History of Community Action  The idea of Community Action came out of the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA) of  The overall purpose of the statute was to eliminate the causes and results of poverty in the United States.  Under the Act, a federal Office of Economic Opportunity was established, state Economic Opportunity offices were formed, and new community-based organizations called Community Action Agencies evolved.

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency “Who We Are” South Central Missouri Community Action Agency was incorporated in 1965 under the Equal Opportunity Act, 1964 as a not-for-profit Community Action Agency serving the counties of Butler, Carter, Dent, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon and Wayne.

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency “Who We Are”  South Central Missouri Community Action Agency is governed by a twenty-one member tri-partite Board of Directors.  One-third of the board are elected public officials or their representatives.  One-third are representatives of business, industry, labor, religion, welfare, education, or other major groups and interests in the community.  One-third are individuals who represent the poor in the area served.  The tri-partite composition of membership provides for the actual problems experienced by the poor to be voiced by their representatives and responded to by the representatives of the business and local government.

South Central Missouri Community Action Agency “What We Do”   We provide services that address the problems caused by poverty and services that help prevent poverty   From Head Start and other education and child development programs, to youth and adult employment and training, from crisis intervention services to intense case management services.

SCMCAA Head Start  Allows families more flexibility – employment, child care, preschool, special services, education, and training  Over 60% of our staff are former Head Start children, Head Start parents, or Head Start grandparents

SCMCAA Head Start SCMCAA Head Start  Is mandated to serve 578 children and families but serves 700+ families and children every year  Runs at least 72 bus routes every day  Transports children to special services and on special field trips

SCMCAA Head Start SCMCAA Head Start  Serves at least 1200 meals and snacks a day  Teachers conduct two home visits per year for every child and Family Advocates make two home visits per year for every family  Holds two parent teacher conferences every year for every child  Holds one open house per year at every center

SCMCAA Head Start SCMCAA Head Start  Provides one “Family Fun Night” each month at every center  Has one Parent Committee Meeting every month  Has one Policy Council meeting every month

SCMCAA Head Start SCMCAA Head Start  Provides individualized activities for every child  Has full day classes and part day classes  Screens every child for any suspected delays that might impede their learning  Assesses every child’s developmental progress three times a year  Refers parents to special services (dental, medical, counseling, speech, health, social services)  Employs over 125 staff, including Teachers, Teacher Aides, Cooks, Family Advocates, Drivers, Program Specialists, & Disability Aides, a Mechanic and Maintenance Manager

SCMCAA Weatherization WAP started in late 1970’s WAP started in late 1970’s Provides energy efficiency measures installed by trained crews Provides energy efficiency measures installed by trained crews Has developed advanced diagnostic techniques and computerized energy audits to provide most cost effective measures Has developed advanced diagnostic techniques and computerized energy audits to provide most cost effective measures

SCMCAA Weatherization What’s Involved? Heating system diagnostic testing, repair, tune-ups, and replacements Duct sealing and insulation Reducing air infiltration to acceptable levels Attic insulation Dense pack sidewall insulation Other measures as identified, including electric baseload measures

What Are The Results Of Weatherizaton? Average annual energy savings = $358* first- year savings per household Average annual energy savings = $358* first- year savings per household Returns $1.53 in energy-related benefits for every $1 invested in the program Returns $1.53 in energy-related benefits for every $1 invested in the program Avoids 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions for every home weatherized Avoids 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions for every home weatherized Creates 52 direct jobs for every $1 million of funding Creates 52 direct jobs for every $1 million of funding Diagnostic approach and program technology has influenced residential energy efficiency in all housing stock and income brackets Diagnostic approach and program technology has influenced residential energy efficiency in all housing stock and income brackets * Calculated January 2007 based on 20-year EIA annual price projections discounted to present value.

SCMCAA Community Services Core Funding Components: Core Funding Components: Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Community Services CSBG Federally Funded Block Grant Federally Funded Block Grant Created by the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 Created by the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 A Core Funding Source for CAA’s A Core Funding Source for CAA’s Provides Flexibility and Mobility for CAA’s Provides Flexibility and Mobility for CAA’s Designed to Assist Low-Income Families Up To 125% of FPG Designed to Assist Low-Income Families Up To 125% of FPG

CSBG Family Development Projects  Comprehensive Intake, Assessment, Referral & Follow-Up  Life Improvement Family Training (LIFT) Workshops  Back To School Fairs  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)  Family Support & Targeted Coaching (case mgt.)  Emergency Services

CSBG Community Coordination Resource Development Projects  Typically one to 4 year community projects  Involves community partners and resources  Addresses local needs and gaps in services  Constructed in such a way as to be self- sustaining

Community Services LIHEAP LIHEAP LIHEAP Energy Assistance (EA) Energy Assistance (EA) Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)

LIHEAP EA & ECIP What is EA? What is EA? Designed to provide financial assistance to low-income households in meeting their home heating costs Designed to provide financial assistance to low-income households in meeting their home heating costs A one-time program A one-time program Application period is from October 1 st to March 31 st Application period is from October 1 st to March 31 st Households must meet eligibility criteria Households must meet eligibility criteria What is ECIP? What is ECIP? Assists households experiencing a utility crisis situation Assists households experiencing a utility crisis situation Either in danger of having their service disconnected or have been disconnected Either in danger of having their service disconnected or have been disconnected Eligible clients must meet EA guidelines Eligible clients must meet EA guidelines Must have a disconnect notice if metered utilities Must have a disconnect notice if metered utilities Two ECIP Programs Two ECIP Programs Winter ECIP (November 1 st through May 31 st )* Winter ECIP (November 1 st through May 31 st )* Summer ECIP (June 1 st through September 30 th )* Summer ECIP (June 1 st through September 30 th )*

Thank You! If you like what you see – imagine working for an organization that is really… …”Helping People and Changing Lives”…