Community Action Opportunities

Programs: Head start achievement - head start is a comprehensive child and family development program for families with limited incomes who have children ages three to five years old. Focused on the physical, educational, social and emotional growth of children, head start also helps parents to assess and meet their family's short-and long-term needs. Experienced classroom teachers plan, assess and record each child's progress and share that information with parents. Children leave head start prepared for school and life. Head start welcomes families from all racial, religious and cultural groups, including those who speak little or no english or who have children with disabilities. The following activities were accomplished - community action opportunities provided high quality head start services to 579 children and their families for a 180 day school year. Throughout the year, head start maintained over 100% of its 507 funded head start enrollment; and, provided 173,887 nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to enrolled children. The objective of head start is for children to leave prepared for school and life by increasing the social competence through focusing on social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

community services block grant (standard life works program) achievement - life works provides help to adults who have a limited income and are ready to make the hard changes necessary to improve their lives. With the support and resources offered by the program's life coaches, customers reach specific goals within one to three years-whether it's finding and keeping a better job, enrolling in and graduating from school or vocational training, obtaining safe and affordable housing or building personal and economic strength to stabilize their families. Over a three year period (july 1, 2014 june 30, 2017), life works provided families intensive case management services and other supports that enabled 64 low-income families to overcome obstacles that prevent self-sufficiency and have income over 100% of the us-dhhs poverty income guideline.

weatherization services program (standard program) achievement - making homes safe, healthy and more energy-efficient, is the focus of the weatherization assistance program. Using a "whole house" approach, we install insulation under floors, in attics and walls and seal air leaks. We also test and install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, install energy-efficient bulbs, repair/replace water heaters, repair/replace faulty heating and cooling systems and share home energy cost-saving ideas with customers. As of june 30, 2017, 111 homes were weatherized for low-income families in buncombe, cleveland, henderson, madison, mcdowell, polk, rutherford and transylvania counties. In addition, 93 homes received heating and cooling systems repairs or replacements.

other programs: child and adult care food: : the child and adult care food program plays a vital role in improving the quality of child care, making it more affordable for many low-income families. Cacfp helps to ensure that all eligible children who attend our qualifying child care facilities receive nutritious meals that meet or exceed cacfp requirements. During the program year, children in the head start program will be enrolled in the cacfp program and provided nutritional meals that meet 1/2 to 2/3 of their recommended nutritional daily allowances. Cacfp contributes to the ongoing nutritional education and support that the families and staff who participate in the head start program receive. A collection of accomplishments are as follows: (a) 579 children were provided regular nutritious meals traditionally through daily breakfast, lunch and snack service. (b) 579 children were targeted and received nutrition and health-related assessment and follow-up; (c) 459 families participated in and received health education regarding nutrition; (d) 556 cacfp program participants were offered weekly opportunities to participate in lesson plans regarding nutrition; (e) 173,887 meals were served to cacfp child participants (f) 98 staff members received training and education about cacfp nutrition guidelines and civil rights.