Agenda - 1-5-15 Reg. Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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04 Johnston - Lee -Hamett Community Action, Inc. Planning Process Narrative Continued 2. Describe your agency's method and criteria for identifying poverty causes and list the identified causes. Also describe the methods and criteria used to determine priority and selection of strategies to be implemented that will address the poverty causes. This is the first year of a three -year plan and services were prioritized based on the results of the Community Needs Assessment Questionnaire that was conducted in Johnston, Lee and Harnett County during the planning process in October 2014. Of the 500 questionnaires distributed, 344 were returned which constitutes a 68% return rate. The respondents listed the following areas of needs: Affordable Housing- Transportation and Employment received the highest priority with 97 93 and 89 respectively. Several factors played a decisive role in the ranking of the needs and concerns expressed by the respondents. The cost of renting an affordable standard home has risen sharply with $650.00- $700.00 now becoming the standard low -end rental amount. The problem arose when incomes did not rise to accommodate the change; Clients coming into the agency complete a "Tell me About Yourself questionnaire which the STARS Counselors then use to evaluate the participants' needs and provide guidance in establishing a more proactive lifestyle changes. Using a holistic approach in helping dreams become a reality for program participants has proven to be the best practice for our program. The current political climate which resulted in the reduction of support programs such as Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc., has made life even harder on low- income people. Temporary employment agencies (now the norm) are having problems finding jobs for the unemployed no matter how qualified they are, which has created another barrier for many participants who have a GED/ high school diploma or less. 3. Describe activities that your agency has undertaken to advocate for and empower low- income individuals and families to achieve economic independence and security. The goal of the agency is to design and implement programming with the express purpose of meeting the needs of low- income individuals and families in Johnston, Lee and Hamett Counties. Securing funding to enhance the capacity and efficiency of our agency in areas such as affordable housing, employment opportunities, educational advancement, affordable daycare issues, financial literacy, foreclosure prevention, emergency assistance, homeownership, early childhood education does help empower low- income individuals and families. As other funding opportunities and/or partnerships present themselves, we will make an effort to meet needs that have the ability to empower the participants or help them avoid adverse situations that could disrupt their pathway to success. The problem of high rent coupled with high utility bills has created a quagmire that is suffocating low- income people in the agency's service areas. Financial Literacy workshops are conducted that encourage participants to become more skillful at the basics of saving money and to get into the practice of making their scheduled payments in a timely manner. Credit and Pre - purchase Counseling are vital elements of Financial Literacy and enables participants to meet the criteria for low interest rates and assistance from other funding streams. This also affords the participants the opportunity to obtain low payments and to own a stake in their community. Partnering with local financial institutions to bring different methodologies of money management has proven successful. The STARS Counselors provide workshops on a wide -range of topics that address issues that STARS participants are facing. Topics such as: Income Tax Preparation, Energy Conservation, Credit Counseling, Financial Literacy, Home Ownership /Renters Insurance, Nutrition, Job - Readiness Skill Building, Renter's Rights, Consumer Credit Education and other topics that will help participants become advocates for themselves and their families. Intense one- on-one case management is essential tools used in helping participants reach self - sufficiency. Oftentimes, when the participants take an objective look at their situation, they can pinpoint the source of the problem and then take the steps necessary to correct and adopt strategies to move forward with purpose. Short and long range goals are set by the participants with guidance from their counselor and then prioritized to achieve quantifiable successes. Networking and collaborations with other service agencies, organizations, the private sectors and faith- based programs are all key elements of affecting positive changes.. By working together with other entities, our resources (manpower, financial, etc.) are able to assist a greater number of low - income people. Fiscal Year 2015 -16 Community Services Block Grant Application Page 7 of 49