Community Action Agency Partnership of Greater St. Joseph programs.
Maybe the leading non-profit for low income families in Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton, or DeKalb County is the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph. They are part of the state's and nation's network of community action agencies. Some examples of the programs administered include job training from Missouri Work, grants for paying utility bills, weatherization, and Head Start. Several other financial support and long term case management services are also administered by CAP St. Joe.
Heating bill and other utility assistance is offered as part of LIHEAP, or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This is the main federal government grant program, and CAP St. Joe processes applications for it.
The non-profit agency will coordinate crisis assistance payments to qualified families or senior citizens whose utilities have been shut off. LIHEAP is a federally funded grant that is available across the state, including in Clinton and Andrew Counties. It provides money to help low-income households, including the disabled and elderly, make home heating more affordable and avoid shutoff of utility services during the winter.
Staff from Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph also work closely with local utility and natural gas companies to meet other requests for basic utilities assistance each winter. They will explore payment plans, installments, and any discount programs offered by providers in Missouri.
Head Start from CAP St. Joe seeks to improve long term potential of children from low income families by providing quality comprehensive early childhood education services. The sessions and program touches on education, health care, nutrition and mental health services. Hundreds of students enroll in over 10 different schools or centers in the region.
One of the keys to improving the lives of children is accomplished by involving the parents in the Head Start process. They will help support the growth of children. Other support is required from families and staff and this is done through nurturing, encouragement, education and empowerment. To learn more, or to enroll, dial 816.344.5058. Various conditions are in place as well in order to be qualified.
Workforce development services are offered from the Career Assistance / Missouri Work Program. Case managers from CAP St. Joe coordinate comprehensive workforce development services such as Individual Employment Plan (IEP) development, orientation/assessment, case management, and information on job training and employment services.
Other services, including skill-based training, from the community action organization includes transportation to an interview, Parenting Classes, and more. Participants in the Missouri Work program may participate in free classes and workshops on topics such as interviewing, resume preparation and proper business etiquette.
Job readiness training in the region, including the counties of Clinton, DeKalb, and Andrew includes a range of services designed to prepare participants for employment and job searching. Services may include education, basic computer training and resume preparation.
Clients can also get assistance in preparing for work by attending sessions in workplace behavior. They can also get guidance on proper attire and interviewing skills. Participants are both adults and youth who are unemployed or underemployed. All of the clients who enroll need assistance in developing the skills needed to either find and also maintain employment that pays living wages. Call 816.233.8281.
Weatherization assists homeowners across the nation and in Missouri by providing them with free energy conservation services. Everything offered by Greater St. Joseph Community Action Partnership is customized to meet their specific needs.
Qualified homeowners, or even renters, will receive a free comprehensive energy audit performed by CAP St. Joe. This will be used to determine where energy escapes and the most cost-effective way to correct energy use problems.
Examples of weatherization services include, but are not limited to repair of windows and doors, replacement or repair of furnaces and water heaters, Ductwork, or the caulking, weather stripping and installing insulation to sidewalls and attics. All of this is offered in partnership with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as well as the U.S. Department of Energy.
Housing assistance is offered in partnership with the City of St. Joseph, the Missouri Housing Development Commission, and community action. They have developed hundreds of low income apartments and housing units in the region, including Buchanan and Andrew County. Other housing assistance programs offered by CAP include financial literacy and home ownership education courses.
Much of the funding available in the region is a result of the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG). Money is used towards helping those facing poverty and to also empower low income families. So while even more limited, CSBG can be used to pay for rental or housing expenses, budgeting workshops, credit counseling and more. This is a federal government program and resources as well as programs will change from year to year.
The locations of the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph offices are as follows. Other services may include referrals and more.
Buchanan County, 817 Monterey, St. Joseph, Missouri 64503, call (816)233-8281
Andrew County, 306 N. 4th St., Savannah, MO 64485, telephone (816) 324-3473
Clinton and DeKalb Counties, 1304 N. Walnut Suite 200, Cameron, MO 64429, dial (816) 632-7345
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