Action Pathways Inc

ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE APPROACH TO HELPING FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS ACHIEVE AND SUSTAIN ECONOMIC SECURITY, EFFECTIVELY PROVIDING THEM A PATH FORWARD IN LIFE. FORMERLY KNOWN AS CUMBERLAND COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, INC. (CCAP), ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. HAS DEVELOPED AND OPERATED SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOR 50 YEARS. ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. IS PART OF A NATIONAL NETWORK OF COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS WHOSE PROMISE IS TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES, EMBODY THE SPIRIT OF HOPE, IMPROVE COMMUNITIES, AND MAKE AMERICA A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. WE CARE ABOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER. WE SEE A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE VIABLE COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE BY INVESTING IN THE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WE SERVE. ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. CAN CREATE A MEANINGFUL AND SUSTAINABLE DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED GRANT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY TO SERVE 668 PRESCHOOL AND INFANT/TODDLER CHILDREN. IN 2021, HEAD START WAS IN ITS 55TH YEAR OF OPERATIONS. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH, NUTRITIONAL, SOCIAL AND DISABILITY SERVICES TO A TOTAL OF 560 CENTER-BASED AT-RISK CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO FIVE, 96 INFANTS AND TODDLERS IN PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTERS AS WELL AS HOME-BASED SERVICES TO 12 INFANTS /TODDLERS. ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START HAS 14 5-STAR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS AND 2 4-STAR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS LICENSED THROUGH THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY EDUCATION. EACH CENTER IS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT CUMBERLAND COUNTY TO ENSURE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE MOST IN NEED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. SERVICES ARE FREE TO CUMBERLAND COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AS APPROVED BY THE POLICY COUNCIL.IN 2021, ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START OFFERED COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR 280 PRE-SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN ADDITION TO 292 INFANTS/TODDLERS.. INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAMS ARE DEVELOPED FOR EACH PARTICIPANT, AND THEIR FAMILY, TO ENSURE THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS ARE MET. CHILDREN ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM AT SIX WEEKS OF AGE AND REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICES UNTIL AGE THREE, AT WHICH TIME PARENTS MUST REAPPLY FOR PRESCHOOL HEAD START SERVICES FOR THE UPCOMING PROGRAM YEAR IF THE CHILD'S BIRTHDAY FALLS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 31ST. THE CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM IS A FEDERAL PASS-THROUGH GRANT THAT SERVES NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO ALL CHILDREN WHEN ATTENDING THE HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM IN PERSON. CLASSES WERE HELD VIRTUALLY FOR A PORTION OF 2021 FOR ALL STUDENTS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WHICH MEANT NO MEALS WERE SERVED TO HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN DURING THE MONTHS OF JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH. HEAD START WAS ABLE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE FOOD BANK TO PROVIDE FOOD BOXES TO HEAD START FAMILIES MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. WHEN CLASSES RESUMED IN PERSON MARCH 2021, THE NUTRITION SERVICE AREA PROVIDED EACH CHILD WITH TO 2/3 OF THEIR DAILY NUTRITIONAL NEEDS AND CONTRIBUTED TO EACH CHILD'S PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. MEALS CONTINUE TO INCORPORATE MORE WHOLE GRAINS AND FRESH FRUIT, AND A REGISTERED DIETICIAN IS AVAILABLE TO REVIEW MENUS TO ENSURE ALL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS ARE MET. THE NUTRITION COORDINATOR PRESENTS MENUS TO THE HEALTH/NUTRITION ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR INPUT AND APPROVAL. CHILDREN WITH ALLERGIES ARE PROVIDED INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES FOR EACH AND EVERY MEAL. MEALS ARE NOT ONLY NUTRITIOUS, THEY ALSO REFLECT VARIETY AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY. CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES RELATING TO NUTRITION ARE PROVIDED AS WELL AS THE ENGAGEMENT OF PARENTS IN NUTRITION TRAINING. PARENTS ARE REFERRED TO THE LOCAL WIC PROGRAM AND PROVIDED INFORMATION ON THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES AS WELL AS REFERRALS TO THE FOOD BANK OPERATED UNDER ACTION PATHWAYS, INC.ACTION PATHWAYS, INC. HEAD START DUALLY ENROLLED AND SERVED 144 NC PRE-K CHILDREN IN 2021. NC PRE-K IS A STATE-FUNDED, COMMUNITY-BASED PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN, WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE BE SERVED, WITH A VALUABLE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. THIS FULL-DAY PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUNG CHILDREN ACCESS TO AN EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM AND PRESCHOOL EXPERIENCE TO ENHANCE THEIR SCHOOL READINESS. THE PRE-KINDERGARTEN STANDARDS ARE ACTION PATHWAYS, INC., BUILT ON THE PREMISE TO BE SUCCESSFUL ACADEMICALLY IN SCHOOL; CHILDREN NEED TO BE PREPARED IN ALL FIVE MAJOR DOMAINS OF DEVELOPMENT. SCHOOL READINESS GOALS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED FOR EARLY HEAD START, AND PRESCHOOL HEAD START CHILDREN. TO FURTHER INCREASE SCHOOL READINESS, PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN RECEIVE BACKPACKS EQUIPPED WITH ITEMS TO ENHANCE SUMMER LEARNING AND FURTHER PREPARE THEM FOR KINDERGARTEN. TO ASSIST SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICE AREA CONDUCTED VIRTUAL TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTED "SELF REGULATION" FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WERE PROVIDED TO TEACHING STAFF, AND PARENTS WERE PROVIDED MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH THEIR CHILD AT HOME. FAMILY ADVOCATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START FAMILIES. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE FAMILY ADVOCATES, FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS THAT INCLUDE GOALS SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF EACH FAMILY, SUCH AS THE PURSUIT OF EDUCATION, PURCHASE OF A HOME, OBTAINING A DRIVER'S LICENSE, ETC. IN 2021, 227 ENROLLED FAMILIES DEVELOPED FAMILY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS.

THE ACTION PATHWAYS' SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA (API SHFB) IS A DIVISION OF ACTION PATHWAYS INC. THE FOOD BANK IS ONE OF SEVEN CERTIFIED AFFILIATES OF FEEDING AMERICA LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. THE FOOD BANK'S PRIMARY SERVICE AREA INCLUDES BLADEN, CUMBERLAND, DUPLIN, HARNETT, HOKE, ROBESON, AND SAMPSON COUNTIES. THE FOOD BANK PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO THOSE FACING HUNGER THROUGH A NETWORK OF MORE THAN 200 NONPROFIT MEMBER AGENCIES. IN 2021, THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED OVER 16 MILLION POUNDS OR 13 MILLION MEALS TO OUR SERVICE AREA. CHILD HUNGER: ONE IN FOUR CHILDREN IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA FACES HUNGER. CHILDREN WHO ARE HUNGRY ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME SICK, HAVE POOR ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL, UNDERPERFORM ACADEMICALLY, AND HAVE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES. THE SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO CHILDREN IN NEED. THE SCHOOL PANTRY PROGRAM PROVIDED MEALS/FOOD TO 7 PANTRIES IN 5 COUNTIES. THE COLLEGE PANTRY PROGRAM PROVIDED MEALS/FOOD TO 5 LOCAL COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES. THE HUNGER RELIEF FOR KIDS BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS FOOD TO OVER 2,000 STUDENTS MONTHLY.SENIOR HUNGER: ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS RELEASED BY FEEDING AMERICA, 16.1% OF SENIORS IN OUR SERVICE AREA IS FOOD INSECURE WITH ALMOST 130,000 PEOPLE NOT KNOWING WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM. THE FOOD BANK'S HARVEST OF HOPE (HOH) SENIOR PROGRAM PROVIDED MEALS TO 1,400 SENIORS A MONTH.FEEDING FAMILIES: FUNDING THROUGH THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ALLOWED THE FOOD BANK TO PURCHASE PRODUCTS SUCH AS CANNED VEGETABLES, FRUITS, SOUPS, AND OTHER NUTRITIONAL ITEMS TO SUPPLEMENT FOOD DONATIONS. IN 2021, WE DISTRIBUTED 251,042 LBS OF FOOD THROUGH THE PROGRAM.THE FOOD BANK PARTNERED WITH 52 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, MANY OF WHICH ARE FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD TO 5 SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES INCLUDING BLADEN, CUMBERLAND, HOKE, ROBESON, AND SAMPSON. IN 2021, WE DISTRIBUTED 5,143,234 LBS OF FOOD THROUGH TEFAP.MOBILE FOOD PANTRIES BRING NUTRITIOUS FOOD DIRECTLY INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. THROUGH THE HOST OF OUR NETWORK AGENCIES AND VOLUNTEERS, WE ARE ABLE TO SERVICE HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES DURING EACH EVENT. IN 2021, WE DISTRIBUTED 1,843,162 LBS OF FOOD THROUGH THE MOBILE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.FRESH PRODUCE INITIATIVE IS A PROGRAM TO ACQUIRE FRESH PRODUCE TO DISTRIBUTE TO AGENCIES AND CLIENTS IN SOUTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA. THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTED 1,634,369 MEALS, OR 1,961,243 POUNDS IN 2021.VOLUNTEERS: BUSINESS, FAMILIES, AND INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS FOOD DRIVES, BOXING, OR SORTING CAN GOODS AND GROCERIES, AND DISTRIBUTING FOOD AT MASS DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS. VOLUNTEER HOURS FOR 2021 SURPASSED OVER 26,000 HOURS.

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP): THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES SAVE ENERGY, REDUCE THEIR ENERGY BURDEN AND STAY SAFE IN THEIR HOMES. THE PROGRAM'S FOCUS IS ON THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, HIGH-ENERGY USERS, AND THE ENERGY BURDENED. WEATHERIZATION ASSISTED 130 LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN THIS PAST YEAR.HEATING AND AIR, REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PROGRAM (HARRP): THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE CITIZENS WITH REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT OF HEATING AND AIR UNITS IN HOMES THROUGHOUT THE 11-COUNTY SERVICE AREA. THE PROGRAM ASSISTED 106 HOUSEHOLDS USING HARRP FUNDS. DUKE ENERGY HELPING HOME FUND (HHF): THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS LOW-INCOME QUALIFIED NORTH CAROLINA FAMILIES SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY THROUGH HOME ENERGY REPAIRS AT NO COST TO THE PARTICIPANT. HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED ENERGY-SAVING UPGRADES. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM INCLUDED: HEALTH AND SAFETY REPAIRS UP TO $3,000 PER HOME, APPLIANCE REPLACEMENT UP TO $2,000 PER HOME, AND HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM REPAIR UP TO $4000 PER HOME. HELPING HOME FUNDS ARE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH N.C. UTILITIES COMMISSION DURING THE DUKE ENERGY AND PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS MERGER. USING DUKE HHF FUNDS, WE WERE ABLE TO LEVERAGE HHF FUNDS ALONG WITH WEATHERIZATION FUNDS TO ASSIST LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA HEALTHY HOME INITIATIVE (HHI) PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST INCOME-QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS INCREASE OVERALL HEALTH OUTCOMES THROUGH THE INSTALLATION/REPAIR OF HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES AT THE CUSTOMER'S RESIDENCE IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD (HHI) FUNDING ALLOWS API TO LEVERAGE WEATHERIZATION FUNDS TO BETTER ASSIST LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

ASPIRE SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO SOME 221 CUMBERLAND AND SAMPSON COUNTY FAMILIES WHOSE INCOME IS 200% OR LESS OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES DURING 2020. CLIENTS WERE PROVIDED ONE-ON-ONE COACHING AND MENTORING, JOB READINESS SERVICES, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, ADVOCACY, AND MONETARY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT ENABLE THEM TO REACH THEIR INDIVIDUAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY GOALS.OUTCOMES268 PARTICIPANTS SERVICED1 FAMILY ROSE ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES21 OBTAINED EMPLOYMENT OR BETTER EMPLOYMENT3 OBTAINED JOBS WITH MEDICAL BENEFITS13 COMPLETED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS RESULTING IN A DIPLOMA,CERTIFICATION OR DEGREE12 OBTAINED SAFE HOUSING69 RECEIVED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE16 RECEIVED EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT ASSISTED INMAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT37 RECEIVED EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL GOALS87 MAINTAINED HOUSING44 PROTECTED FROM DISCONNECTION OF ELECTRICAL SERVICES80 RECEIVED UTILITY ASSISTANCE CARES PROGRAMCARES NC PROGRAM, ACTION PATHWAYS PROVIDED SUPPORT IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, EDUCATION, HEALTH SERVICES AND EMERGENCY SERVICES. CARES NC SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO 214 PARTICIPANTS AND INCLUDED MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE, EVICTION PREVENTION SERVICES, AND UTILITY PAYMENTS ASSISTANCE. THESE FUNDS ASSISTED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHOSE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES WERE ADVERSELY IMPACTED AND WHO HAD IMMEDIATE NEEDS BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE FUNDS WERE USED TO ASSIST FAMILIES WHO MAY HAVE BECOME LOW-INCOME BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND MAY ESTABLISH APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES BASED ON INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY NEEDS. RELIEF NC PROGRAM: THE RELIEF NC PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED EMERGENCY RELIEF SERVICES TOFAMILIES IN CUMBERLAND AND SAMPSON COUNTIES. FUNDING SUPPORTED A RANGE OF LOCALLY IDENTIFIED SERVICES AND STRATEGIES FOCUSED ON RESIDENTS WITH LOW INCOMES AND DISASTER-RELATED NEEDS. RELIEF NC, SPECIFICALLY TARGETED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT HAVE UNMET NEEDS BECAUSE OF HURRICANE FLORENCE THAT OCCURRED IN 2018. THE SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING, HEALTH AND SOCIAL/BEHAVIOR DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION, HOME REPAIR, AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.