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<br />Johnston - Lee - Hamett Community Action, Inc.
<br />Planning Process Narrative (continued)
<br />9. Describe how your agency will ensure coordination with the emergency energy crisis intervention program under title
<br />XXVI (relating to low- income home energy assistance).
<br />The Department of Social Services and other human services refer low- income people to our agency for emergency assistance
<br />when they do meet their criteria. These service requests include utility payment assistance and other crisis aid for needy
<br />persons outside LIHEAP /CIP when they no longer have funds available. Social Services' Emergency Assistance /Crisis
<br />Programs have fairly restrictive guidelines. Their emergency assistance programs are structured to meet crisis needs within a
<br />24 hour time frame and for a certain household type; therefore their available funds are depleted very quickly and many
<br />households are left without services because they don't meet the guidelines. We coordinate our resources to try to ensure that
<br />those individuals who are in crisis receive needed help, if when are available. By using this strategy, we can assist more low -
<br />income people as they fight to keep the most basic of needs, ex. utility payments, rental assistance, medicine, food, etc. The
<br />agency continues to seek private donations of cash, goods, and volunteer services, that is then made available to low- income
<br />people in the area.
<br />We are contractors for the Harriett County Department of Social Services' Low - Income Energy Assistance Program ( LIHEAP)
<br />and Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) programs. Three staff members were hired to operate the program in the Harnett County
<br />offices of the agency to meet emergency home heating needs. The program is a heating /cooling program and funds are
<br />disbursed only when weather conditions become extreme. The determination to release funds is made by the Department of
<br />Social Services Director.
<br />The JLHCA Weatherization Program and the HARRP (Heating Assistance Repair Replacement Program) provides assistance
<br />to eligible individuals/ families with their energy conservation needs. One of the primary goals of this program is to create a
<br />safe, healthy environment in which low income people live and to save on energy bills by maximizing their heating and air
<br />appliances capabilities. They provide home and heating system repairs, air sealing using new method to make the best use of
<br />energy conservation, rehabilitate substandard houses, replace heating systems when needed and offering educational classes
<br />in small home repairs and energy conservation. Urgent repairs are made when funds are available. The Executive Director is a
<br />member of the Weatherization Policy Advisory Council for the state Weatherization Program.
<br />10. Describe the needs of low- income youth and your agency's efforts to promote increased community coordination
<br />and collaboration in meeting the needs of low- income youth.
<br />Low - income youth in our service area are faced with multiple barriers that include but are not limited to: lack of employment,
<br />recreational facilities, transportation, crime, mentorships and substance abuse that hinder their economic and emotional
<br />growth. Low - income youth are competing with adults who have more education, experience and emotional stability even in jobs
<br />that were traditionally held by the youth in the agency's service areas. There are few programs and /or activities that focus on
<br />low - income youth. Because of the high incidences of substance abuse (the youth themselves or their parents) and drug related
<br />crimes in our area, parents no longer feel comfortable allowing their children to play at the parks and play areas are safe;
<br />therefore the youth are not allowed to run and play in their own neighborhood. Low - income youth need an access to a legal
<br />source of income, recreational programs and other activities designed to foster self- esteem and create a sense of purpose.
<br />Most of the youth - focused programs in the area are geared toward youth who already have a juvenile record or who have
<br />medical problems (mental /social /physical). Staff and some board members serve on committees who offer services to youth
<br />between the ages of 0 to 21. We work closely with the Department of Social Services, Community Colleges, Health
<br />Departments, Partnerships for Children, Community Child Protection Team /Child Fatality Task Force, National Fatherhood
<br />Practitioners, Johnston County Neuse Charter School Johnston County Citizens' Association, N.C. Coastal Pines Girl Scouts,
<br />Harriett Productions, Kiwanis Club of Lee County, Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, YMCA, Safe Kids
<br />Coalition, NAACP, Johnston County Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Some other youth-based projects that staff
<br />participate in are Project Task Force, Johnston County Schools, First in Families Johnston County Industries, Family Promise,
<br />Psi Sigma \ Omega Chapter of the AKA Sorority, Sisters Informing Sisters about Topics on Aids Project, Johnston and Lee
<br />County Girls and Boys Clubs, Hillcrest Youth Center, Lee County, Housing Authority, Johnston County Youth Services, Base
<br />Fiscal Year 2015 -16 Community Services Block Grant Application
<br />Page 15 of 49
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