Mid Michigan Community Action Agency

Covid-19 emergency response fundingthe Agency's operated multiple emergency rental assistance grants in fy22 serving 1,562 households with $5,343,785 in rental assistance and $1,045,297 in utility assistance. These 1,562 households avoided eviction due to this assistance. These programs included the covid emergrancy rental assistance program and the emegercy housing voucher program.

Outreach services for critical needs:the Agency seeks to address housing instability, foreclosure, property taxes, homebuying and provide financial capability workshops.housing stabilitythe Agency's critical needs activites seek to address emergent household needs that threaten the individual or family's ability to stay in the home. The primary service provided is vendor payments for rent, utilities, and housing related emergencies. In fy 2022, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency served 799 households, distributing $386,244 in heat and utility assistance.homeless assistancethe Agency distributed $542,208 in assistance to individuals and families to obtain or maintain safe and affordable housing. In fy22, these funds supported 135 households (261 individuals) staying in shelters, cars, or without shelter to obtain housing. Mmcaa was also able to use this funding to help 228 households (445 individuals) at risk of becoming unhoused maintain housing.homeless prevention & housing counselingthe Agency works to address critical needs before homelessness occurs. In fy22, mmcaa distributed $155,590 to homeowners for mortgage and property tax assistance, allowing 179 households to avoid foreclosure. 230 participants attended rental, financial capability, homebuyer education, and other workshops. 28 individuals received one-on-one housing counseling services.

Early childhood services:the Agency operates several programs for young children and their families. In fy 2022, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency served 2,041 participants. Women, infants and children (wic) clinic is a health and nutrition program for children 0-5 years, pregnant and post partum mothers. The program provides a combination of nutrition education, supplemental food vouchers and breastfeeding support. Early head start is a home based visiting program providing pregnant moms and families with children 0-3 years with early education programs. Services include home visits, playgroup activities, child development, parent education, mentoring, and a variety of other support resources. Head start/great start readiness program is a center based program for children 3-5 years old. The federal and state funding is combined to provide an early learning opportunity preparing the young children for kindergarten. Additional support is provided for special needs, social services, medical, dental, mental health and other related needs.

Food commodities programs:the Agency seeks to address critical need in the Community by providing food to low income seniors and facilitating food distribution sites. In fy22, mmcaa distributed 29,318 monthly food boxes to seniors and 9,528 quarterly food boxes to households, distributing $1,345,405 in food as valued by the usda. The Agency operates federal surplus food commodity programs to assist low income people with supplemental nutritious food. The following describes the specific services:commodity supplemental food program provides monthly supplemental food for seniors ages 60 and older. Food products include juice, vegetables, fruit, and protein products such as meat, beans, and peanut butter.the emergency food assistance program is a quarterly food distribution for income eligible families with no age restrictions. Food products include juice, vegetables, fruit, meat, beans, and peanut butter.

Housing servicesthe Agency receives funding to provide assistance with weatherization and home repairs. In fy22 $1,413,858 was invested in local homes, averaging $8,674 per home. This funding allowed for 163 homes to be weatherized, including 68 homes occupied by seniors, 88 homes occupied by people with disabilities and 44 homes with children under 18. Overall, 332 people received weatherization services. Specific programs include liheap, doe weatherization, bi-partisan infrastucture legislation (bil) and weatherization deferral reduction funding.

Other services:tax preparation the Agency offers tax preparation for low income individuals and veterans. In fy22 919 households received these services and $862,744 in tax refunds came back into clare, gladwin, mecosta and osceola counties.veterans' servicesassistance with housing for those who have served in the military. The Agency supports these efforts with the supportive services for veteran families program. Diaper bankthe Agency received funds to help distribute diapers to area pantries. In fy22, 1,058 households with 1364 dependents received diapers with $56,541 worth of diapers distributed.