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<br />JLHCA, Inc.
<br />Planning Process Narrative (continued)
<br />. Credit and Pre- Purchase Counseling are key components of Financial Literacy and enables participants to
<br />meet the criteria for low interest rates and assistance from other funding streams. This gives the participants
<br />the chance to obtain low payments and to own a stake in their community. Partnering with local financial
<br />institutions to bring different practices of money management has proven successful.
<br />The STARS Counselors conduct workshops on a numerous topics that address issues that STARS
<br />participants are facing. Topics such as: Income Tax Preparation, Energy Conservation, Credit Counseling,
<br />Financial Literacy, Consumer Rights, Home Ownership/Renters Insurance, Nutrition, Job -Readiness Skill
<br />Building, Renter's Rights, Consumer Credit Education and other topics that will help participants become
<br />advocates for themselves and their families. Intense one-on-one case management is an essential tool
<br />used to help participants reach self-sufficiency. Frequently, when the participants take an objective look at
<br />their situation, they can identify the cause of the problem and can then take the steps necessary to correct
<br />and adopt strategies to move forward toward a successful resolution. Short and long range goals are set by
<br />the participants with guidance from their counselor and then prioritized to achieve measurable successes.
<br />Networking and collaborations with other service agencies, organizations, public and private sectors and
<br />faith -based programs are all strategic components of affecting positive changes. When resources
<br />(manpower, financial, etc.) are combined, a greater number of low-income people are able to be assisted.
<br />4. Describe how your agency plans to make more effective use of, coordinate and form partnerships
<br />with other organizations and programs including: State welfare reform efforts; public and private
<br />resources; religious organizations, charitable groups, and community organizations.
<br />JLHCA is a charter member of the Job Link Centers in both Johnston and Lee Counties and agency staff
<br />member's work very closely with the NC Works Career Center staff in all three counties to help participants
<br />find employment. We will coordinate with other programs in our service areas in an effort to pool resources
<br />and provide services to more low-income people. Collaborative efforts will involve joint workshops
<br />conducted or through the sharing of information that would benefit our participants. We hold seats on each
<br />other's boards or committees to ensure that representatives from the public, private and poor sectors are
<br />aware of services.
<br />The Executive Director is a member of the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project, Inc., Bank of
<br />Four Oaks Advisory Board, BRAC Board member, Weatherization Policy Advisory Council, Johnston
<br />County Board of Elections, Smithfield -Selma Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, a lifetime
<br />member of the North Carolina Community Action Association Board, Southeastern Association of
<br />Community Action Agencies, Johnston County Citizens' Association Assistant Secretary and Tribute to
<br />Excellence Committee chair, Johnston County Jury Commission, Living Well Partnership of Johnston
<br />County/Healthy Carolinians Board member, Johnston County Area Transportation System Advisory Board,
<br />Selma Area Ministerial Association, Chairman of the Johnston County Emergency Food and Shelter Board,
<br />Chairman of the Lee County Emergency Food and Shelter Board, Legal Services Advisory Council, United
<br />Way of the Greater Triangle Executive Directors Council, United Triangle Resource Investment Cabinet, the
<br />Johnston County Continuum of Care and the Balance of State Committee. Duke Helping Home Advisory
<br />Subcommittee and the Regional Lead for the Lee-Hamett County Housing Committee.
<br />The CSBG Director is a lifetime member of the North Carolina Head Start Association and the North
<br />Carolina Community Action Association, Johnston County Child Fatality Task Force,
<br />Johnston County Community Child Protection Team, 1 st Vice -President of the North Carolina Community
<br />Action Association, Johnston County Human Services Council, Princeton Area Ministerial Association,
<br />Selma Ministerial Association, Smithfield -Selma Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee„ Johnston
<br />County Citizen's Association Chairperson and Tribute to Excellence Committee Banquet (funds are
<br />awarded annually for scholarships for six (6) local high school seniors), Johnston County Continuum of
<br />Care/Regional Housing Committee, Lee-Hamett County Continuum of Care/Regional Housing Committee
<br />and the Balance of State Committee.
<br />Fiscal Year 2016-17 Community Services Block Grant Application
<br />Page 9 of 33
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