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

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0 3 0 Planning Process Narrative (continued) Johnston - Lee- Hamett Community Action, Inc. Children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program and have been diagnosed with asthma can also participate in the Head Start Asthma Outreach Program. This program was designed to minimize the number of asthmatic episodes that Head Start children were experiencing. A Respiratory Therapist from Down East Respiratory Services was assigned to work with the children who have asthma three days a week at the center that they attend. It is not mandatory and parent/guardians have the option to enroll their children in the program. Doctors and the insurance carriers have to agree that the child can be enrolled in the program. The respiratory therapist makes home visits to the children during the holidays and is available to provide services year round. This ensures continuity of services and care and treatment for the child and to answer questions and address concerns that the family may have. Since the inception of the program about 30% of the 717 children who are enrolled in the program have benefitted through education, knowledge, management of the disease and a decreased number of asthma attacks. Enrollment in the program has decreased the number of absentees due to Asthma related illness. The HUD Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Re- Housing Program in Johnston and Lee Counties affords us the opportunity to help move homeless families /individuals out of cars, parks and other dangerous living conditions and into standard housing. Clients enrolled in the program receive utility and rent assistance for up to 3- months. They will also receive utility and rental deposit assistance. If applicable, they may be assisted with rental application fees. A counselor will work with them to help them find employment and /or link them with services they may be eligible to receive. The counselor helps them assess their situation, help determine what circumstances got them to this place and what they could do to avoid becoming homeless again. The CSBG Director is a National Certified Grant Specialist and continually looks for funding to support programs that are beneficial to low - income people in Johnston, Lee and Harnett Counties such as Foundation Grants, Emergency Food and Shelter Program, United Way Support, Presbyteria of New Hope and other as opportunities arise. We will continue to apply for funding to develop programs that will help our participants rise above the poverty level. The Head Start (BMI) Body Mass Index Program was initiated due to the high number of head start children who were overweight. The initiative is a collaborative effort between Head Start, primary care physicians, local Health Departments, Women, Infant and Children's (W. I. C) offices. During the bi- annual height and weight checks, if a child's body mass index percentage indicates that a child's is high, at risk, or underweight a computer generated graph is sent a copy of the information and then have to take the child to a medical provider for follow -up. The nutrition coordinator then tracks the progress or lack of progress and follows up with the parent/guardian. If the BMI percentage is high, the curriculum in the classroom will be amended to help rectify the situation. Healthy snacks are encouraged and parents receive educational information, such as monthly newsletters, etc, to help introduce a healthier lifestyle for the entire family. The Housing Urban Development Housing Counseling Program provides multiple services which specifically target both homeowners and potential homeowners. Reverse Mortgage for senior citizens who own their homes are afforded the opportunity to stay in the homes and receive funds to help meet their needs. The Housing Counselor is one of a very few counselors who is nationally certified to coordinate reverse mortgages. The Counselor also offers Homeowners Training, Default and Pre - Purchase Counseling. The Financial Literacy Training is incorporated into the other elements of the this program and is conducted by the Senior STARS Counselors who are Certified Money Smart Trainers. The Executive Director, CSBG Director and the Human Resources Director are also FDIC Certified Money Smart Trainers. Fiscal Year 2015 -16 Community Services Block Grant Application Page 13 of 49