LAKES & PINES COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL INC

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENTPROVIDED SERVICES TO INCOME-ELIGIBLE PREGNANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN UP TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. THE SERVICES ARE COMPREHENSIVE, WITH THE CORNERSTONES OF PARENT AND CHILD EDUCATION, HEALTH, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY ASSET BUILDING. EARLY HEAD START AND HEAD START ARE PROGRAMS COMMITTED TO GIVING EVERY VULNERABLE CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED. HOME-BASED & CENTER-BASED SERVICE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE, WITH CENTER-BASED CLASSROOMS IN FULL-DAY CENTERS, MULTI-DAY PART-DAY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP CLASSES, AND CHILDCARE PARTNERSHIP CLASSES THROUGHOUT OUR 7-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. THRIVETRANSFORMING, HONORING, & RESPECTING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH VALUING EMPOWERMENT. COACHING IS PROVIDED FOR CUSTOMERS INTERESTED IN OR NEEDING EXTRA SUPPORT FOR UPWARD SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

COMMUNITY SERVICES HAS A VARIETY OF PROGRAMSEMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCEPROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT AND/OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES WHO EXPERIENCED A TEMPORARY HOUSING CRISIS THAT COULD HAVE RENDERED THEM HOMELESS. FUNDS HELPED BY ASSISTING WITH MORTGAGES, RENT, DEPOSITS, TRANSPORTATION COSTS, AND EMERGENCY SHELTER COSTS, BUT ALSO INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT FUTURE HOUSING EMERGENCIES (BUDGET COUNSELING, RESOURCE REFERRALS, OR A PERMANENT HOUSING PLAN). EMERGENCY SHELTER VOUCHERS WERE PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ALONG WITH ASSESSMENTS TO BE PLACED ON COORDINATED ENTRY FOR ACCESS TO HOUSING PROGRAMS IN THE REGION. HOMELESS YOUTH PROGRAMSPROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT AND/OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO AT-RISK AND HOMELESS YOUTH (24 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER). FUNDS HELPED BY ASSISTING WITH RENT, DEPOSITS, TRANSPORTATION COSTS, AND INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY (BUDGET COUNSELING, GOAL SETTING, RESOURCE REFERRALS).VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCEPROVIDED FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO ENSURE INCOME TAX FORMS WERE FILED WITH ALL THE TAX CREDITS THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR. INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO USE THE TAX REFUNDS TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLES, HOMES, AND CREDIT, WHICH ALSO HELPED TO STIMULATE THE LOCAL ECONOMY. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON FINANCIAL LITERACY TOPICS.FOOD SHELF SUPPORTSTAFF MEMBERS REGULARLY DONATED TO AREA FOOD SHELVES (BI-WEEKLY COLLECTIONS ARE HELD). GARDEN SEEDS WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO AREA FOOD SHELVES IN THE SPRING TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO START GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD.SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) OUTREACHPROVIDED OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE. THIS IS FORMERLY KNOWN AS FOOD SUPPORT OR FOOD STAMPS.SOCIAL SECURITY ADVOCACY SERVICESPROVIDED OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO AREA INDIVIDUALS WITH LONG-TERM HEALTH ISSUES THAT PROHIBIT THEM FROM WORKING, WHO ARE ALSO UNHOUSED OR UNSTABLY HOUSED AND ARE ENROLLED IN STATE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.HEALTHCARE ACCESS/MNSUREPROVIDED OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO AREA INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO OBTAIN AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, EITHER THROUGH PUBLIC PROGRAMS OR PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES THROUGH THE HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE CALLED MNSURE.BRIDGES RENTAL ASSISTANCEPROVIDED RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO HOUSEHOLDS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS WHILE THEY WAIT FOR INCOME-BASED HOUSING OR SECTION 8 HOUSING PROGRAMS.