Kootasca Community Action Inc

Programs: Asset development and housing: the goal is to build community and organizational capacity so all low to moderate income (lmi) households have safe affordable housing and to develop the assets they need to succeed. The accomplishments of this strategy for 2014 are as follows: 1) the liheap (energy assistance) program provides reduced energy burden for approved low/moderate income households through direct payments to energy vendors, emergency repair or replacement of non-functioning heat sources, energy self-sufficiency education, advocacy, and referral services. Outcomes: 3,329 households served with primary heat, 987 served with crisis, and 258 served with emergency furnace services. 2) department of energy weatherization (doe wap) provides reduced energy burden for approved low/moderate income households through building shell and mechanical system energy sufficiency upgrades. Insulation, air infiltration reduction, heating source(s), baseloads and indoor air quality are all addressed through a comprehensive energy audit process. The program also provides client education for low/no cost energy savings measures and occupant behaviors. Outcomes-37 households served. 3) conservation improvement programs are funded through multiple local utility companies, these funds are also used to leverage department of energy weatherization funds. 4) minnesota housing deferred and emergency funds program is a deferred loan program which can help lmi households with a variety of housing remodel activities. These activities can include items such as wells, septic systems, foundation problems, siding, windows, roofing, interior upgrades for health & safety of housing quality standards. They also focus on energy savings, lead based paint remediation, radon remediation and indoor air quality standards. Outcomes - served 44 households with housing rehabilitation. 5) the small cities development program (scdp) household home ownership and rental programs are very similar in nature to the mhfa deferred and emergency loans and the two are quite often used as leverage funds to achieve the goal of safe affordable housing. Outcomes-8 households served. We also have the scdp for commercial deferred loans 6) the home ownership program supports 1st time home buyers through education, counseling and budgeting as well as direct financial assistance with closing cost. Outcomes - 30 1st time homebuyers. 7) the crisis nursery program helps families in crisis situations to ensure that children aged 0-12 have a safe haven. Placements can be daytime or overnight for up to 48 hours. The program also provides a 24 hour crisis line. Outcomes - 74 households with 117 children. 8) the transitional housing program has a variety of funding including federal, state and local funds. Individuals and families can access longer term transitional housing as well as shorter term assistance with deposit, rent and utilities. Outcomes - rental assistance- 180 households with 423 children, transitional -24 households with 47 children 9) the health care program we have 4 trained health care navigators to assist clients in website navigation for health care insurance options. Funding sources for this program come from mn sure and blue cross blue shield. Outcomes - 950 individuals assisted with 499 successfully enrolled in a health care plan

education: kootasca's federal funded head start program served 238 pre-school children in itasca and koochiching counties. Children and families in the head start program are provided with comprehensive services that include education, health, nutrition, social services/family support and parent involvement. Head start ensures that the basic health needs of all children are met. The program encourages healthy behaviors that prevent future illness and promotes positive health and life long well-being. The state funded early head start (ehs) program serves pregnant moms and children to the age of three (3). The ehs program in itasca county provides services to one of our most vulnerable populations by supporting teen parents in completing their high school diploma while attending the alternative learning center (alc) one day a week. All classes earn credit towards high school graduation, and because of this, students attending tapp/ehs can receive their diploma much faster than attending alc alone. The semi-monthly home visits help to provide education on child development, attachment and bonding, nurturance, as well as help students build a sense of structure and consistency at home. This additional family support helps the young mothers not only graduate from school but to plan for a successful future. The agency also provides a ehs home base program in koochiching county that provides weekly home visits and twice monthly socializations for parents and children.

community engagement: kootasca community action, inc. Engages community partners to advocate for and collaborate on community strategies to fulfill our mission to end poverty. The agency's community engagement strategy includes the following programs: circles of support activities provide an opportunity for people in poverty to build skills and social assets. Weekly meetings with a dinner and child care are open to families and individuals experiencing poverty as well as non-poor volunteers who are interested in improving conditions that impact people in poverty. Circles of support activities include: financial literacy and self-empowerment resources, the hosting of big view community meetings that bring awareness to poverty related issues, policy concerns, and systemic barriers that make leaving poverty more difficult. Circles of support also facilitates the distribution of refurbished computers to low income people. Kootasca's frostbite finds thrift store program provides advocacy and funding to support programs and activities for youth afterschool in order to close the achievement gap and inequitable access to enrichment opportunities.