Community Service Programs Department Janice Robinson, Deputy Director
	Foster Grandparent Program: Rhonda Orlando, FGP Coordinator Section 8 Rental Assistance Program: Dianna Clair, Assistant Director County Services (CSBG) Programs: Betty Whittaker, Director

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) partially funds more than 980 Community Action Agencies across the nation and their family self-sufficiency efforts.  These organizations create, coordinate and deliver comprehensive programs and services to approximately 27 percent of all low-income and disadvantaged people in the United States.

The CSBG program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Office of Community Services. CSBG funds are distributed to states on a formula basis.  States are required to pass through at least 90 percent of their funds to local “eligible entities,” generally private, non-profit Community Action Agencies (CAAs).

These CAAs are locally controlled by a board of directors that includes equal numbers of low-income residents, local elected officials and private-sector representatives.  This block grant was created in 1981, but most CAAs have been in existence for more than 40 years.

The CSBG Act requires that CAAs provide activities that help low-income people:

• Secure and retain meaningful employment.
• Remove obstacles to self-sufficiency.
• Attain an adequate education.
• Obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment.
• Obtain emergency assistance to meet immediate and urgent family needs.
• Achieve greater participation in the affairs of the community.
• Make better use of available income.
• Make more effective use of related programs.

CSBG is an essential, and unique, resource even through it is a small part of CAA budgets.  Every dollar of CSBG funds received by Community Action Agencies leverages nearly $4 in additional state, local and private contributions.

It is CSBG-funded staff that designs and finds resources for new responses to community needs. It is CSBG which provides support to integrate other programs and fill service “gaps.”

Nationwide, CAAs manage more than $5.3 billion of program resources.  This includes resources for employment, training, education, housing, energy assistance, community development, health, nutrition, Head Start and other programs that help families get out and stay out of poverty.

Utility Assistance

NECAC offers help in paying utility bills through Energy Assistance, which includes the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Both programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and distributed to the 50 states.  In Missouri, the funds are distributed through the Department of Social Services and the Division of Family Services, which contract with NECAC and other agencies to deliver the programs.  More than 8,000 people applied with NECAC for energy assistance last year, up from just under 7,800 the year before.  Other funding sources include United Way, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Missouri Housing Trust Fund, Dollar More, Dollar Help and private funding.

Overview

NECAC County Service Coordinators and volunteers are the first sources for families in need.  Staff members provide a complete intake assessment of each client.  The interview is designed to find out more about the family’s needs in employment, education, use of income, housing, nutrition and health.

After the assessment is done, referrals are made to programs that will benefit the family.  The referrals may be made to programs operated by NECAC or to other agencies in the community.

NECAC often enrolls clients in agency-sponsored life-skills classes such as pre-employment, budgeting, energy savers, building strong families and good neighbors.

NECAC also provides networking through CCRD programs that offer people a chance to better themselves and their communities.  Step Up to Leadership classes prepare clients to make a difference in their communities.  Rallies Against Poverty help spread the word of the fight for greater self-sufficiency.  The Chatter Box newsletter provides clients and partners with information about services and upcoming community events.  In 2007, NECAC joined Sharing How Access to Resources Empowers (SHARE), a computer system that lets people find community resources.  Community Action has a strong reputation for bringing services to clients in the most direct way possible, and NECAC is no different.  The agency’s 12 County Service Centers are on the front lines of helping those who are seeking a chance to improve their lives.  NECAC is recognized consistently by government agencies, private businesses and other non-profit groups for its work.

The Section 8 division raises money yearly from our Section 8 landlords and community businesses to purchase backpacks for the families participating in the program. If enough funds are raised we will also distribute backpacks not only to housing participantes but to any low- to moderate-income family who is in need residing within St. Charles County. The backpacks are distributed at our yearly Back to School Safety and Health Awareness Fair. In previous years we have partnered with Mercy, The Elks Lodge, and this year Health Care USA. Last year we also hosted our first senior appreciation event.

At Christmas time we have our annual Bikes for Tykes Bike Drive. Self Sufficiency and Homeownership are two very important goals that we are assisting families in achieving.

Through the self sufficiency program housing participants have the opportunity to access funding which can be used to meet their individual self sufficiency goals which can include education and homeownership. Housing participants involved in our programs receive life skills sessions based on Building Strong Families module as well as Good Neighbor Workshops, Banking 101, Building Strong Credit, and foreclosure prevention.