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. IN FISCAL YEAR 2021, KOOTASCA HEAD START SERVED 214 CHILDREN AND 206 FAMILIES ACROSS ITASCA AND KOOCHICHING COUNTIES. THERE WERE SOME STUDENT DROPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR DUE TO VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. KOOTASCA WAS ABLE TO FILL SOME DROPPED SLOTS TO MAINTAIN CLOSE TO FULL ENROLLMENT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE STATE FUNDED EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM SERVED 20 CHILDREN. 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 COMPLETES ANNUAL COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE THE GREATEST AREAS OF LOCAL NEED AND ADJUST 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.

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 2021 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) 2021, 2949 HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCED REDUCED ENERGY BURDEN AND SAFE CONTINUOUS HEAT THROUGH PRIMARY HEAT FUNDING, 957 HOUSEHOLDS AVOIDED INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE THROUGH CRISIS FUNDING, AND 261 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. IN STATE FISCAL YEAR 2021, A REDUCED ENERGY BURDEN WAS REALIZED FOR: 46 HOUSEHOLDS UTILIZING DOE WITH LIHEAP, AND AN ADDITIONAL 55 HOUSEHOLDS UTILIZING LIHEAP ONLY.4) 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 2021, UTILITY-BASED PROGRAM FUNDING WAS USED TO SERVE AND REDUCE THE ENERGY BURDEN FOR 47 HOUSEHOLDS.5) ORIGINATED BY THE MINNESOTA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY (MHFA), KOOTASCA PROVIDES FUNDING FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION IN THE FORM OF DEFERRED LOANS OFFERED TO LMI HOUSEHOLDS. ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE WELLS, SEPTIC SYSTEMS, FOUNDATIONS, SIDING, WINDOWS, ROOFING, INTERIOR UPGRADES TO ADDRESS HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS, AND ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS. ALL WORK MUST MEET HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS. THE PROGRAM ALSO ADDRESSES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENERGY SAVINGS, INDOOR AIR QUALITY, LEAD-BASED PAINT REMEDIATION, AND RADON REMEDIATION. IN 2021, MHFA FUNDS THROUGH KOOTASCA HELPED 28 HOUSEHOLDS MAINTAIN SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.6) THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DEED) SMALL CITIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SCDP) PROVIDES REHABILITATION FUNDING TO SMALL CITIES. KOOTASCA OFTEN ASSISTS CITIES WITH THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS AND THEN CONTRACTS WITH THE GRANTEE CITY AS THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR. ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE AVAILABLE THROUGH MHFA DEFERRED LOANS. THE SCDP GRANT FUNDS CAN BE USED TO ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES IN OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING, RENTAL HOUSING, COMMUNITY CENTERS, COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES, STREETSCAPE, AND PUBLIC FACILITIES. IN 2021, SCDP FUNDING ALLOWED FOR THE SAFE AND AFFORDABLE MAINTENANCE OF 3 OWNER-OCCUPIED STRUCTURES.7) 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. 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. HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IS A -28% IN OUR SERVICE AREA, SEVERE COST BURDEN AND SEVERE RENT BURDEN. DURING COVID PANDEMIC TIMES, THESE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE SEEN A HIGHER HOUSING DEMAND FOR LARGER HOMES, MORE BEDROOMS, AND MAKESHIFT OFFICES TO WORK FROM HOME, WHILE WE EXPERIENCE OUR LOWEST HOUSING SUPPLY, WHICH LIMITS OPPORTUNITIES FOR LMI HOUSEHOLDS TO ACHIEVE HOUSING SECURITY THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP. 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 2021 ARE AS FOLLOWS: PROVIDING MORE VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS THAN EVER BEFORE, TWELVE WORKSHOPS HELD WITH 60 VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS. A TOTAL OF 81 HOUSEHOLDS GRADUATED FROM KOOTASCAS HOME STRETCH EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, AND AN ADDITIONAL 15 HOUSEHOLDS GRADUATED FROM THE ONLINE FRAMEWORK COURSE. ALSO, 200 HOUSEHOLDS COMPLETED ONE-ON-ONE HOUSING ADVISING TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE BUDGET AND INITIATE STEPS TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL CAPACITY. FURTHER, 28 HOUSEHOLDS COMPLETED KOOTASCAS HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH LED TO THE PURCHASE OF THEIR FIRST HOMES. LASTLY, A TOTAL OF $55,603 IN DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS DISTRIBUTED TO FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS, AND THIS ASSISTANCE RESULTED IN AN ACCUMULATION OF $3,168,732 IN MORTGAGE LOANS.8) 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 2021, THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM SERVED 11 SINGLE MEN AND 4 FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FOR A TOTAL OF 26 PARTICIPANTS. 89 UN-HOUSED HOUSEHOLDS WERE MOVED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND HOMELESS WAS PREVENTED FOR AN ADDITIONAL 48 HOUSEHOLDS. 986 FOOD BOXES WERE DISTRIBUTED IN DEER RIVER.9) THROUGH THE MNSURE PROGRAM, KOOTASCAS TRAINED AND CERTIFIED HEALTH CARE NAVIGATORS ASSIST CLIENTS IN APPLYING FOR AND ENROLLING IN HEALTH CARE INSURANCE OPTIONS. FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM IS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH MNSURE, MINNESOTAS HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE. IN 2021, KOOTASCAS MNSURE PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY ENROLLED 475 CLIENTS IN A HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN. AN ADDITIONAL 250 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM A HEALTH CARE NAVIGATOR IN COMPLETING THEIR MNSURE APPLICATIONS.10) IN 2021, KOOTASCA HELPED FOUR (4) HOUSEHOLDS ATTAIN HOUSING STABILITY THROUGH S.O.A.R (SSI/SSDI OUTREACH ACCESS AND RECOVERY PROGRAM). 11) 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 WHERE THERE IS A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS AND DEMAND. IN 2021, 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. MEETINGS WERE HELD ON ZOOM FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE YEAR. IN 2021, A TOTAL OF 35 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN 49 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 2021, CUMULATIVE ATTENDANCE TOTALED 418 PEOPLE ACROSS 17 SEPARATE BIG VIEW COMMUNITY MEETINGS. 3) KOOTASCAS COMMUNITY EQUITY WORK ENGAGES THE COMMUNITY IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO ELIMINATE THE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS OF POVERTY BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE, LEARN, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND CELEBRATE CULTURAL DIVERSITY. IN 2021, A JUNETEENTH EVENT IN GRAND RAPIDS WITH OVER 200 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE WAS HELD AND MADE POSSIBLE BY PARTNERING WITH OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS.4) KOOTASCA SERVED AS AN OUTREACH PROVIDER AND APPLICATION NAVIGATOR FOR MINNESOTA AFTERSCHOOL ADVANCE, A PROGRAM OF THE VENN FOUNDATION AND YOUTHPRISE TO IMPROVE THE AFFORDABILITY OF AFTERSCHOOL LEARNING AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES BY COVERING UP TO 75% OF THE COST OF ENRICHMENT.