CSBG/Weatherization/Americorps/Early Head Start ARRA Funds
Update 2/28/10
CAP SERVICES NEEDS STATEMENT
CAP’s latest needs survey ranked jobs with health insurance, full-time jobs, better-paying jobs, heating costs, dental and medical costs and inability to pay bills as priorities in CAP’s 2007 triennial community needs assessment. CAP’s Board of Directors also prioritized programs addressing these needs as targets for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) & AMERICORPS
Fresh Start Replication
Creates 9 trainee jobs in home construction, with a focus on energy efficiency training and application. A home will be built in Eastgate Estates in Waupaca and sold to a low-to moderate-income household. The Project will create two new staff positions to oversee provision of academic, housing construction and energy training. The Project will result in 7 participants completing the program (78%); 5 of whom will find jobs or continue with some type of post-secondary training or apprenticeship. $254,285 with an additional $58,050 requested from Americorps ARA for the 15 month project.
Progress
Nine Americorps members have been hired as well as two staff positions - the Project Coordinator (Don MacRae) and Construction Site Supervisor (Clayton Pietsch). All members needing a diploma/HSED/GED (5) have earned the academic credential.
All have been involved with energy efficiency training. Four will formally test for the Solar Domestic Hot Water Site Assessor Certification on March 13, 2010.
All have been involved with home construction activities, including the installation of a solar hot water system and enhanced insulation (R38 sidewalls and R50 ceilings). The solar and insulation applications could save this homeowner as much as $344 annually. Drywalling is now being completed on the home, which has been sold to a low-income buyer (60% CMI). Closing is scheduled for May 28, 2010.
Program participants have also provided assistance with a number of community service projects (755 hours of service through December 2009). This has included trail development/boardwalk construction along the Waupaca River Trail. Members also dismantled a solar boiler for shipping to Haiti (pre-earthquake) and some work to assist with needs of the aging.Jobs and Business Development Program
Small business development is at the heart of new job creation in the country. Staff are experiencing more inquiries about technical assistance and loan packaging in the past few months. At the same time, state funding for the program was cut in 2009. The project will include the retention of a .6 FTE Job Development Coordinator in Outagamie County and the addition of a .5 FTE Job Development Coordinator in Portage County to those interested in starting or expanding a business. Staff will continue to be available in Waupaca, Waushara and Marquette Counties. Expansion funds are projected to result in the creation of 11 businesses and 4 jobs. $127,476 requested for 16 month project.
Progress
Staffing was completed as described above. Adults interested in self-employment are the target group for these services. Historically, participants in the jobs and business development program have ranged in age from 18 to 60 or older. The participants receiving business development services to date (3) have been from households with incomes below 125% of poverty and 5 between 126% and 200% of poverty. 8 have received a variety of technical assistance services (assistance with writing a business plan and market/feasibility study analysis, production of pro forma financials, loan structuring, marketing assistance, linkages with other community resources, introduction to bankers and loan structuring assistance). These include: Black Seal Coating (Outagamie County- loan request expected); Kaukauna Coffee & Tea (Outagamie County); Black Otter Supply (Outagamie County); Dog’s Best Friend (Portage County); Salon Arian (Waupaca County); Grouse River Adventures (Portage County- loan request expected); Northwind Renewable Energy (Portage County), and Wolf River Hardware and Sports Shop (Waupaca County). Nine more are receiving services and are in the early stages of business development – all of these anticipate being FSET-eligible and are all below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.
In some cases, CAP Services was able to provide microenterprise loans to assist with business starts that resulted in job creation for low-income individuals (although the business owners were not necessarily low-income). These include Intevation Food Group, LeRoy Butler Ford, Especially for You and Riverwest Motorwerks. In the fall of 2009, a request came in for some gap financing for a new business in Waupaca County. While the business owner was not low-income, he pledged to create 10 new jobs with the business start, and low-income individuals would be given preference at hire (all other things being equal).
Free Tax Assistance
Earned Income tax Credits have been identified as the single most effective way to lift a household out of poverty. Providing free tax assistance services allows families to retain a greater amount of the refunds/credits due them. Using paid tax services often minimizes the financial gains of a household. ARRA funds to will be used expand services to households in Waupaca and Waushara Counties. It is projected 270 households in Waushara County are eligible but do not claim EITC. Staff project to serve 90 families in Waupaca/Waushara in 2010. $47,571 to support the 2010 tax season project.
Progress
Staff were hired and began development of VITA related service activities in August and September. This included recruitment of volunteers, accessing needed IRS materials and supports and promotion of the program. By the first week in February,
94 individuals were assessed as appropriate and given free tax assistance appointments in Waupaca and Waushara Counties. More requests for services continue to come in and staff and volunteers will maximize the number receiving services based on capacity. At this time, the number scheduled exceeds the program goal. More information on the amount of refunds, including the portion attributable to EITC will be available at the close of the project in May.
Skills Enhancement Program
This program increases participant self-sufficiency by providing part-time educational opportunities to working poor individuals with the expectation of obtaining higher paying jobs that offer health insurance. As a waiting list exists in Outagamie County, staff time will be increased to accommodate 10 more training slots. An additional 8 slots will be made available to residents in Portage, Waupaca and Waushara Counties, including those up to 200% of poverty. 18 to be served, 90% of which increase hourly wages by at least $1.50 and 70% that increase wages by $3 per hour. 60% will access employer sponsored health insurance. $38,925 requested to expand the program through September, 2010.
Progress
Slight increases were made in program staff hours to meet the increased number of participants served in the project. Since July of 2009, 15 individuals have enrolled in program services – more than the 10 anticipated. These individuals are in training and expect to be able to compete for higher paying jobs once that training is complete. The higher enrollment is possible in part due to varying levels in financial assistance requested. Through January, nearly $10,000 has been spent on participant tuition and books, and training-related child care and transportation expenses.
Head Start Family Development Enhancement Project
Family Service Specialist staff to family ratios will be decreased during the period, and summer services added in 2009 and 2010, resulting in 120 families receiving more intensive services. At least 60% of those served will increase their economic self-sufficiency by one poverty level; and 75% of families will make progress in at least two Family Development Areas during their enrollment period. $69,472 requested for a 16 month project
Progress
Staffing was increased in June of 2009 to support family development services to identified families through the summer months, and into the Head Start Program year to maximize linkages and resources families need to reach their self-sufficiency goals. $3,000 was set aside to support access to skills training by these Head Start parents, and 75% of the funds have already been expended. Due to the nature of the identified outcome, results related to increases in household income and progress in at least two family development goal areas will be measured at the close of the program (September, 2010).
Machining/Welding Training
Access to short-term training is a proven strategy to competing for higher paying jobs. The welding and machining training center in Wautoma has the capacity to serve more community residents, some that have their fees paid for by another entity (UMOS, Human Services, etc.). Scholarships of one half the training fees will be made available to 8 individuals without other resources for a summer session (in 2009 or 2010, depending on demand). Of the 8 who complete the training session, 4 will either secure related employment or pursue additional training in the field. $11,939 ($1,350 per 8 students, plus administrative and audit costs).
Progress
To date, no scholarships have been utilized, in part because the spring machining session was postponed and those in welding sessions last fall and this spring had other sponsorships. Two more welding sessions and one machining session will be held in which we anticipate the scholarships will be utilized.
Weatherization
CAP Services received a contract to weatherize 379 low-income homes (July, 2009-June, 2010), 172 of which are ARRA units. As of February 28, CAP Services completed 23 ARRA units and documented them in the state data system, has 71 more units completed and nearly closed and 18 more units are in progress. CAP Services fully expects to achieve its production targets by June 30. Overall the Weatherization operators in Wisconsin expect to weatherize 6,156 homes. Through January, 5,719 units were completed, 1,214 of them designated ARRA units.
Early Head Start
CAP Services’ received notice of its Early Head Start award on December 15, 2009.
It proposes to serve 72 families in Portage and Waupaca Counties, primarily through
a home-based model, although 8 families in Portage County would also receive center-based program services three days per week.
Since then it has hired 7 home visitors, a teacher, and a program assistant and expanded the programs health and nutrition staff capacity to serve both Head Start
and Early Head Start. A significant number of training sessions have been held for
staff including CPR with AED, prenatal services, home visiting, mental health and disabilities and orientations to CAP Services, Head Start, CAP’s Family Development Partnership Tool Kit and more.
Recruitment is underway with enrollments expected to be finalized soon. Program services will be fully operational on March 22, 2010.