Program areas at Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties
Head Start:Federal Head Start grants are the largest source of funding for the Organization, comprising approximately 43% of total revenue for the year ended September 30, 2023. Head Start and Early Head Start services provide comprehensive early childhood education and family services to families with children birth through five years. The program promotes school readiness through educational, health, nutritional, social and parent services to children birth through five of their families. During the fiscal year, approximately 1,147 families were served.
Energy Conservation:Energy Conservation and Weatherization program activities are supported by funding from the U.S. Departments of Energy and Health and Human Services, plus utility conservation improvement program funds. The program performs energy audits on single and multifamily dwellings for low-income owners and renters, utilizing specialized staff which uses the latest energy conservation tools and techniques to perform the work. Work includes performing energy audits; repairing and replacing mechanical systems; and insulating and air sealing homes. The program weatherized 76 homes in Ramsey, Washington, and Anoka counties during the fiscal year.
Energy Assistance:Energy Assistance is a health and safety program funded by the federal government's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant contract which helps with utility bill payments, crisis intervention when utility service shut off is imminent, advocacy for utility consumer rights, and referrals to other support programs. Approximately 19,305 households were served during the program year through heat and crisis assistance.
The work of the Community Engagement program is funded through the federal Community Services Block Grant and the State of Minnesota Community Action Grant. Program work is focused in three areas: supporting people who are striving to increase their income, encouraging people to build their personal assets, and facilitating civic engagement focused on creating systemic change. All three of these approaches are designed to help low-income people build vital pathways to economic stability. Other programs reflect additional organizational activities, including Community Housing, Property Management, and Neighborhood Investments. Community Housing operates multiple housing sites across Ramsey and Washington counties; each site provides affordable and quality housing solutions to eligible individuals and families. Property Management includes the leasing of a portion of the organization's building headquarters to other separate and similar mission-based organizations to help defray occupancy costs. Neighborhood Investments coordinates communication and impact measurement activities to increase public understanding of the organization's work; additionally, the program also coordinates agency planning and community assessment activities.