Kootasca Community Action Inc

KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION HELPS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES FIGHT THE MULTIPLE CAUSES AND CHALLENGES OF POVERTY. COMMUNITY ACTION CHANGES PEOPLE'S LIVES, EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF HOPE, IMPROVES COMMUNITIES, AND MAKES AMERICA A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

EDUCATION1) KOOTASCA HEAD START IS A COMPREHENSIVE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME CHILDREN (BIRTH THROUGH FIVE YEARS OLD) IN ITASCA AND KOOCHICHING COUNTIES. IT PROVIDES CHILDREN A DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. THE PROGRAM ENSURES THAT YOUNG CHILDREN RECEIVE HEALTH CHECKUPS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, ORAL HEALTH SCREENINGS, AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS EVERY DAY. PARENTS ALSO RECEIVE BENEFITS WHEN THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND HEAD START. THE PARENTS RECEIVE GUIDANCE FROM OUR PROGRAM TO HELP SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME AND TO HELP ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY. PARENTS LEARN TO CREATE STIMULATING HOME ENVIRONMENTS AND ENGAGE IN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN. HEAD START SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAM OPTIONS, INCLUDING EARLY HEAD START HOME BASE (SERVING PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UP TO AGE THREE) AND AN EARLY HEAD START COMBINATION PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES BOTH CENTER-BASED CARE AND MONTHLY HOME VISITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE HAVE CLASSROOM-BASED PROGRAMMING THAT IS 4-5 DAYS PER WEEK FOR CHILDREN 3- TO 5-YEARS OLD. PARENTS OF HEAD START CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTEER WITHIN THE PROGRAM IN A VARIETY OF WAYS AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD LEADERSHIP SKILLS BY PARTICIPATING IN THE PARENT POLICY COUNCIL. POLICY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE PARENTS OF CURRENTLY ENROLLED HEAD START CHILDREN. THE MEMBERS ACT AS A LINK BETWEEN KOOTASCA HEAD START STAFF AND THE FAMILIES THAT THE PROGRAM SERVES. THE POLICY COUNCIL MUST WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KEY HEAD START MANAGEMENT AND THE KOOTASCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DEVELOP, REVIEW, AND APPROVE POLICIES; CREATE STRATEGIC PROGRAM DIRECTIONS AND DECISIONS; DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR THE RECRUITMENT, SELECTION, AND ENROLLMENT OF CHILDREN; AND APPROVE FUNDING APPLICATIONS ALONG WITH PERSONNEL AND OTHER BUSINESS-ORIENTATED ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE POLICY COUNCIL'S APPROVAL. KOOTASCA HEAD START SERVES 8 INFANT AND TODDLERS AND 187 PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH FEDERAL FUNDING AND ANOTHER 19 CHILDREN WITH STATE FUNDING ACROSS ITASCA AND KOOCHICHING COUNTIES. 2) THE TEEN AGE PARENT PROGRAM (TAPP) BEGAN IN THE GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT IN 1971. SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE MANDATED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS. IN 1993, KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION ASSUMED THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE TEEN AGE PARENT PROGRAM AS THE FUNDING ALLOCATIONS TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE PROGRAM DECLINED. THE POPULATION THAT TAPP SERVES IS ONE OF OUR COMMUNITYS MOST VULNERABLE. PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS ARE THE MOST LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A LIFE IN POVERTY FOR THE TEENAGE PARENT AND HIS OR HER CHILD. KOOTASCAS TAPP PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT COUNT TOWARDS CREDIT HOURS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS THAT BEST FIT THE NEEDS OF THE PARTICIPANT. THE TAPP PROVIDES ADDITIONAL EDUCATION ON TOPICS GEARED TO THE PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEEN, INCLUDING: LABOR AND DELIVERY, PRENATAL NUTRITION, SUDDEN UNEXPECTED INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SUIDS), SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME, BIRTH CONTROL AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS), COOKING, NUTRITION, PERSONAL FINANCES, AND BUDGETING.3) KOOTASCA REVIEWS AND UPDATES THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT ANNUALLY TO DETERMINE THE GREATEST AREAS OF LOCAL NEED AND ADJUSTS TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. THE 2020 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT INDICATED THAT KOOCHICHING COUNTY HAD NO CHILDCARE FACILITIES FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS, DESPITE A GROWING NUMBER OF INFANTS AND TODDLERS RESIDING IN THE COUNTY. TO BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, KOOTASCA HEAD START CONVERTED 13 PRESCHOOL HEAD START SLOTS INTO 8 INFANT-TODDLER EARLY HEAD START SLOTS. AN INFANT-TODDLER CLASSROOM WAS OPENED IN THE FALL OF 2021 IN INTERNATIONAL FALLS. THIS WAS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. 4) KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION VISIONKOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION PURCHASED MURPHY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM ISD 318 ON SEPTEMBER 30TH. ITS THE VISION OF KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION TO REUSE AND RENOVATE THE FORMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO CREATE AN EARLY CHILDHOOD HUB THANKS TO A $1.3 MILLION TARGETED COMMUNITY CAPITAL GRANT ALLOCATED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. ONCE COMPLETED, THE GRAND RAPIDS EARLY CHILDHOOD HUB WILL OFFER CHILDREN OF ALL INCOME LEVELS, AGES PRENATAL TO 5 YEARS, COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND NUTRITION SERVICES. THE CAPITAL PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF AGE-APPROPRIATE RESTROOMS, PHYSICAL UPDATES TO MEET FIRE CODE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD LICENSURE, SUCH AS NEW FIRE EXITS, KITCHEN FACILITIES, AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY FEATURES. IT WILL ALSO RENOVATE SPACE TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE CLASSROOMS, PLAYGROUND, AND STAFF SPACE TO MAXIMIZE EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING, PARENT TRAINING, AND CONNECTIONS TO EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE SERVICES. KOOTASCA AND OUR INVEST EARLY PARTNERS WILL RELOCATE THIRTEEN EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS DISPERSED ACROSS THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS TO THE NEW SITE. THE HUB WILL ALSO HOUSE DISTRICT 318 EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION (ECSE) AND EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION (ECFE) AS WELL AS ADULT EDUCATION AND OTHER WORKFORCE SERVICES TO PROVIDE INCREASED PROGRAMMING TO THE FAMILIES ACCESSING EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES AND ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM DAYS FOR TEENAGE PARENT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. WITH A ONE-STOP LOCATION, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN MULTIPLE AGE GROUPS WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO AGE-APPROPRIATE CLASSROOMS AND ACCESS SERVICES ONSITE, SUCH AS WORKFORCE COUNSELORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. ISD 318 HAS RETAINED THE LAND ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE MURPHY SCHOOL PROPERTY, ALONG 7TH AVE NE, INCLUDING WHERE THE ICE RINK IS LOCATED.

ASSET DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING: THE GOAL IS TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY ALLOWING ALL LOW TO MODERATE INCOME (LMI) HOUSEHOLDS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND INCREASED DEVELOPMENT OF ASSETS. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS STRATEGY FOR 2022 ARE AS FOLLOWS:1) THE FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) PROVIDES PRIMARY HEAT FUNDING TO REDUCE ENERGY BURDEN FOR LMI HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH DIRECT PAYMENTS TO ENERGY VENDORS. AS AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, THE PAYMENTS ARE MADE TO HELP KEEP THE HOUSEHOLDS HEAT ON AND ARE TARGETED TO THOSE VENDORS ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAINING THE HOUSEHOLDS PRIMARY HEAT SOURCE. A CRISIS COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM MAKES ADDITIONAL CRISIS FUNDING AVAILABLE TO PREVENT UTILITY DISCONNECTIONS OR DISRUPTIONS IN SERVICE FOR DELIVERED HEATING FUELS. AN ENERGY RELATED REPAIR (ERR) COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM PROVIDES EMERGENCY REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF NON-FUNCTIONING PRIMARY HEAT SOURCES IN EMERGENCY (NO HEAT) SITUATIONS OR WHERE HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS EXIST. IN FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR (FFY) 2022, 3554 HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENERGY BURDEN AND SAFE CONTINUOUS HEAT THROUGH PRIMARY HEAT FUNDING, 1773 HOUSEHOLDS AVOIDED INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE THROUGH CRISIS FUNDING, AND 336 HOUSEHOLDS MAINTAINED SAFE HEAT THROUGH ERR EMERGENCY FURNACE SERVICES.2) THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM (DOE WAP) PROVIDES FUNDING TO REDUCE ENERGY BURDEN FOR LMI HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH BUILDING SHELL AND MECHANICAL SYSTEM ENERGY CONSERVATION UPGRADES. INSULATION, AIR INFILTRATION REDUCTION, HEATING SOURCE(S), BASE LOADS, AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY ARE ALL ADDRESSED THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY AUDIT PROCESS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES CLIENT EDUCATION FOR LOW- OR NO-COST ENERGY SAVINGS MEASURES AND OCCUPANT BEHAVIORS. LIHEAP WEATHERIZATION FUNDS ARE OFTEN BRAIDED WITH DOE WAP AND OCCASIONALLY USED INDEPENDENTLY OF DOE WAP ALLOWING FOR ADDITIONAL UNIT COMPLETIONS. AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT WITHIN STATE FISCAL YEAR OF 2022, A REDUCED ENERGY BURDEN HAS BEEN REALIZED FOR: 35 HOUSEHOLDS UTILIZING DOE WITH LIHEAP, AND AN ADDITIONAL 41 HOUSEHOLDS UTILIZING LIHEAP ONLY.3) UTILITY COMPANY CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS (CIP) PROVIDE FUNDING AND MATERIALS TO PROMOTE ENERGY CONSERVATION. UTILITY-BASED PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS, EDUCATION, AND EQUIPMENT UPGRADES TO REDUCE BASE LOADS, SUCH AS LED LIGHTING, LOW FLOW SHOWER HEADS, LOW FLOW FAUCET AERATORS, AND ENERGY STAR RATED APPLIANCES. CIP FUNDS CAN ALSO BE LEVERAGED TO SUPPLEMENT DOE WAP ACTIVITIES. IN 2022, UTILITY-BASED PROGRAM FUNDING WAS USED TO SERVE AND REDUCE THE ENERGY BURDEN FOR 85 HOUSEHOLDS.4) KOOTASCA'S HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM ASSISTS LMI INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH OBTAINING THEIR FIRST HOME OFFERING SERVICES IN HOME OWNERSHIP EDUCATION, HOUSING COUNSELING, FINANCIAL WELLNESS, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.IN TODAYS HOUSING ARENA, THE PROBLEM FOR LMI HOUSEHOLDS IS HOUSING INSECURITY. CONVERSELY, HOUSING SECURITY IS THE SINGLE GREATEST FACTOR IN IMPROVING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC POTENTIAL FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES. WE KNOW HOMEOWNERSHIP IS ONE OF THE MOST RELIABLE WAYS TO BUILD LONG-TERM WEALTH AND FINANCIAL SECURITY.TODAY WE ARE SEEING HISTORICAL HIGH-PRICED HOMES AND AVAILABLE HOMES ARE DOWN OR ALMOST NONEXISTENT. HOUSES AVAILABLE NEED MAJOR RENOVATION TO BECOME DECENT, SAFE, AND SANITARY HOUSING. A DOWNFALL FOR OUR SERVED POPULATIONS IS PLACED IN THE POSITION TO MAKE THE TRANSACTION WITH NO INSPECTION. OVER 75% ARE WAIVING INSPECTION CONTINGENCIES IS THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE. AS THE HOMEBUYING SEASON APPROACHES, MORTGAGE RATES HAVE RISEN TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH IN OVER 10 YEARS, AFTER STUDENT LOAN DEFERMENT OVER COVID TIMES PAYMENTS ARE NOW DUE, THE HIGH COST OF LIMITED RESOURCES OF EVERYDAY LIVING (GROCERIES, GAS, TRANSPORTATION, DAYCARE) JUST TO MENTION A FEW AND STILL THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET INVENTORY SET THE STAGE OF BARRIERS FOR TARGET POPULATIONS WE SERVE. ADDITIONAL BARRIERS SHOW UP IN RENTAL VACANCIES, RATES REMAIN BELOW 2% AND NEW LISTINGS IN THE REGION ARE -32% OF TODAYS BUYERS WHICH ARE MADE UP OF FIRST-TIME BUYERS, MILLENNIALS, AND WANT TO BUY VS RENT. AGAIN, HIGH DEMAND, LOW SUPPLY; HOME PRICES AND RENTS CONTINUE TO RISE FASTER THAN INCOME. 4 OUT OF 5 BUYERS STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO SAVE FOR A DOWNPAYMENT IN TODAYS ECONOMY. FURTHER, MANY LMI HOUSEHOLDS FACE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS TO HOME OWNERSHIP, INCLUDING INCOMPLETE OR INCORRECT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PURCHASING A HOME AND AVAILABLE FINANCING OPTIONS, INSUFFICIENT CASH FOR DOWN PAYMENTS, UNACCEPTABLE CREDIT HISTORY, AND HIGH DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIOS. THE TIME FOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY IS NOWA COMBINATION OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL FUNDING SOURCES IS LEVERAGED TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, COUNSELING, AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OUTCOMES OF KOOTASCAS HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM FOR 2022 ARE AS FOLLOWS: 11 WORKSHOPS HELD WITH 55 VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS. A TOTAL OF 83 HOUSEHOLDS GRADUATED FROM KOOTASCAS HOME STRETCH EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 9 HOUSEHOLDS GRADUATED FROM THE ONLINE FRAMEWORK COURSE. ALSO, 122 HOUSEHOLDS COMPLETED ONE-ON-ONE HOUSING ADVISING TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE BUDGET AND INITIATE STEPS TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL CAPACITY. FURTHER, 25 HOUSEHOLDS COMPLETED KOOTASCAS HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH LED TO THE PURCHASE OF THEIR FIRST HOMES. LASTLY, A TOTAL OF $48,650 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS DISTRIBUTED TO FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS, AND THIS ASSISTANCE RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATION OF $4,074,157.00 IN MORTGAGE LOANS.5) KOOTASCAS CRISIS HOUSING SERVICES INCLUDE THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM AND CRISIS RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM SERVES HOMELESS CLIENTS WITH TIME-LIMITED HOUSING, CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, AND ASSISTANCE WITH BUILDING SKILLS FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THIS PROGRAM CONSISTS OF TWO SEPARATE DUPLEX LOCATIONS DEDICATED TO FAMILIES AND ONE LOCATION DEDICATED TO MALE HOUSING. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM FUNDS ARE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION. THE CRISIS RENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PROVIDES UP TO 12 MONTHS OF ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS OR AT-RISK FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN RENTAL HOUSING. MINNESOTA HOUSING AND THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM TO ASSIST ITASCA AND KOOCHICHING COUNTY CLIENTS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2022, THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM SERVED SIX (6) SINGLE MEN AND EIGHT (8) FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FOR A TOTAL OF 35 PARTICIPANTS. 57 UN-HOUSED HOUSEHOLDS WERE MOVED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS WAS PREVENTED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 70 HOUSEHOLDS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS SERVED WAS 50. 6) THROUGH THE MNSURE PROGRAM, KOOTASCAS TRAINED AND CERTIFIED HEALTH CARE NAVIGATORS ASSIST CLIENTS IN NAVIGATING HEALTH CARE INSURANCE OPTIONS. FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM IS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH MNSURE, MINNESOTAS HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE. IN 2022, KOOTASCAS MNSURE PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION FOR 475 CLIENTS AND ASSISTED AN ADDITIONAL 250 INDIVIDUALS WITH HEALTH CARE ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS.7) IN 2022, KOOTASCA HELPED FOUR (4) HOUSEHOLDS ATTAIN HOUSING STABILITY THROUGH S.O.A.R (SSI/SSDI OUTREACH ACCESS AND RECOVERY PROGRAM). 8) DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 2022, KOOTASCA HOUSING NAVIGATORS ASSISTED 19 ITASCA COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS WITH SECURING SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH FUNDING FROM MN DHS FOR SECURITY DEPOSITS, ESSENTIAL NEEDS, AND HOUSING APPLICATIONS.9) THROUGH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, KOOTASCA DIRECTLY DEVELOPS AND SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP HIGH-QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR VERY LOW AND LOW TO MODERATE INCOME PERSONS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA. IN 2022, KOOTASCA CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF THE HISTORIC ALEXANDER BAKER SCHOOL IN INTERNATIONAL FALLS INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH CLOSE SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION FROM CITIZENS FOR BACKUS/AB AND TRELLIS CO.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION 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.1) KOOTASCAS CIRCLES OF SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE IN POVERTY TO BUILD SOCIAL ASSETS AND SKILLS, SUCH AS FINANCIAL LITERACY AND SELF-EMPOWERMENT THROUGH WEEKLY MEETINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING POVERTY, AS WELL AS NON-POOR VOLUNTEERS. IN 2022, A TOTAL OF 49 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 48 MEETINGS AND EVENTS.2) BIG VIEW PROGRAMMING PROVIDES EDUCATION AND CREATES COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF POVERTY-RELATED ISSUES AND SYSTEMIC BARRIERS THAT MAKE LEAVING POVERTY MORE DIFFICULT. MEETINGS WERE HELD ON ZOOM FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE YEAR. IN 2022, CUMULATIVE ATTENDANCE TOTALED 123 PEOPLE ACROSS 8 SEPARATE BIG VIEW COMMUNITY MEETINGS.