2 nd Annual Legislative Breakfast Community Action Southwest The Leader of Community-Based Strategies that End Poverty March 14, 2014

Todays Topics Community Assessment Report CAS 2013 Outcomes & Impact in the Community CAS Update Sequestration & Restoration Merger with Try Again Homes Our Strategies

mobilize the resources enable families and individuals attain the skills, knowledge, motivations and opportunitiesbecome self-sufficient To serve as the catalyst to mobilize the resources of the entire community in order to enable families and individuals in Southwestern Pennsylvania to attain the skills, knowledge, motivations and opportunities needed to become self-sufficient Community Action Southwest

Our Vision for our community All people are valued, cared for & healthy, regardless of economic status Education prepares all children to fulfill their potential & meet their future needs All people live in safe, affordable, decent housing People are skilled &committed to leading change & improvement in our community All people have the skills & opportunity to work at family sustaining jobs CAS is the leader of community based strategies that end poverty

Community Assessment Update In your packets: CAS Comprehensive Community Assessment Head Start/Early Head Start Community Assessment PA Partnerships for Children – State of the Child County Profile for Washington & Greene PHFA Housing Report for Washington & Greene

Population 2012 American Community Survey

Employment US Dept. of Labor, February 2014 *In December 2012: Greene Unemployment – 6.9% Washington Unemployment – 7.3%

Education PA Dept. of Education

Education 2012 American Community Survey

Education US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences

Housing American Community Survey, 2012 Data Release

Income/Poverty Poverty in America, Living Wage Calculator Living Wage by County

Income/Poverty American Community Survey, 2012 Data Release

Income/Poverty US Census; Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) 2012

In 2013 Community Action Southwest Served over 17,000 people Early Childhood Services Nutrition Services Senior Services Family Economic Success

Early Childhood Services Children in quality preschool programs are less likely to repeat grades, need special education, or get into future trouble with the law (Natl Ctr. For Education). The Federal Reserve Bank estimates a 12% return on investment for every $1 spent on early childhood education. US Census, American Community Survey, 2012 Data Release, December 2013 Last year, we served 1,425 children through Early Childhood Services CountyChildren Ages 0 – 4 years Children Ages 0 – 4 in Poverty Washington10,3861,887 Greene1,908494

Last year, 84% of kids met or exceeded school readiness domains Children + their families = 5,540 individuals served Those families received an additional 743 additional supportive services Early Childhood Services

Nutrition Services WIC saves in healthcare costs from $2.89 to $3.50 for each $1 spent on WIC during the first 18 years of a childs life (PA Dept. of Health, WIC) WIC Funds in Washington & Greene $917,104 $ $3.50$2.65 million - $3.2 million Saved

$2,450,890 WIC vouchers spent in 21 grocery stores Moms + Children = 6,909 individuals served 358 of WIC children were also enrolled in Early Childhood Services Nutrition Services - WIC

Senior Services Seniors who have an active social life, may have a slower rate of memory decline In a recent study, memory decline among the most social was less than ½ the rate of the least social (Harvard School of Public Health) 2013 Senior ServicesSeniors Served Senior Center participants1,161 Congregate Meal recipient481

363 seniors received home delivered meals 302 volunteers helped with programs 229 seniors received care management Seniors = 1,536 individuals served Senior Services

Family Economic Success Homeownership boosts the educational performance of children, improves health care outcomes, lowers crime rates and lessens welfare dependency (National Association of Realtors) 2013 CAS Home Ownership Center First Homes Purchased67 Total Mortgages Secured$6.4 million Foreclosures Mitigated179

58 people passed the GED exam 101 people got jobs 29 people enrolled in a postsecondary school Family Economic Success

425 people obtained financial education & skills 601 taxpayers received $600,000 in income tax refunds 34 wage earners opened IDA savings accounts; 7 purchased homes, capitalized small businesses or paid for post-secondary education 3,658 people received a self-sufficiency service Family Economic Success

CAS in your community 17 Head Start Locations

CAS in your community 7 Early Head Start Locations

CAS in your community 11 Pre-K Counts Locations

CAS in your community 11 WIC Clinics

CAS in your community 6 Senior Centers

CAS in your community 4 Family Economic Success Locations

Comprehensive Service Delivery

Beyond the Borders

Reaching the entire community

Sequestration Restoration of 2013 cuts Community Services Block Grant +$76,000 Invested back into Family Economic Success Programming Head Start/Early Head Start: +$300, child slots restored

Merger with Try Again Homes 38-year old foster care and adoption agency with a larger service area Specializes in helping older children successfully transition to adulthood CAS providing needed organizational stability to allow TAH to continue to thrive and serve this facet of community service

Merger with Try Again Homes Our array of services is expanding to include Try Again Homes services CAS will consider other mergers and acquisitions as a means to better serve the community

Strategic Plan Currently in 3 rd year of plan 4 Strategies: 1. Community 2. Education 3. Leadership 4. Agency

Strategic Plan Successes Community Strategy Home Ownership Center; funded & operational 67 homes purchased; 179 avoided foreclosures Financial Capabilities Center; funded & operational 425 people served in FCC Partnership Agreements with 80+ local employers 101 people got jobs Partnership Agreements with all local post-secondary educational institutions 29 people transitioned to post-secondary education

Strategic Plan Successes Education Strategy Longitudinal Study Poverty Simulations; Bridges Trainings Head Start & Pre-K Children are school ready In % met or exceeded school readiness domains

Strategic Plan Successes Leadership Strategy Low-income people have a voice and participate in policy making groups Voter initiatives of WIC & Senior Services Promoting our vision Data Driven decision-making

Strategic Plan Successes Agency Strategy Providing seamless & comprehensive services Agency case managers quilting our services Defining what it means to be out of poverty; 10 criteria; articulating the essence of a future story for our clients

Strategic Plan Successes Poverty Transition 1. Living Wage 2. Free of public benefits 3. Utilize/adhere to spending plan 4. Access to adequate food supply 5. Access to health insurance 6. Safe & affordable housing 7. Access to safe & reliable transportation 8. Dependable childcare; age appropriate ed. resources 9. Completed desired level of education 10. Developed personal goals for the future

We thank you… What resonates with you? What questions do you have? What are you hearing from your constituents? How can we help?