South Central Missouri Community Action Agency programs.
The core programs from South Central Missouri Community Action Agency help with heating as well as energy bills, offer food, and employment from Workforce Investment Act. The non-profit also takes part in many of the statewide programs, such as Dollar Help.
Staff from SCMCAA are involved in assisting thousands of families from Butler, Carter, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, Dent and Wayne Counties. If an applicant is not qualified for one of their resources, then referrals may be provided in those cases.
SCMCAA’s Community Services Department facilitates coordination of all their programs. There is a goal of making changes in the lives of the client. This will ideally result in improved quality of life for families. In addition to the services listed below, referrals to other charities as well as government agencies are available through the Department.
No matter what someone is applying for, a client’s relationship South Central Missouri Community Action Agency SCMCAA begins with an intake procedure. This will also have an assessment to identify needs and what someone is qualified for. The next step is to determine which programs are most appropriate, as follows.
EFSP of Missouri, or the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, provides financial assistance or loans. The money is used to pay for housing, utilities, rent, and mortgage costs. It can also supplemental food needs for low-income residents of Dent, Reynolds, Ripley, Carter, Shannon, and Wayne Counties.
While each application is different, specifically, SCMCAA may be able to help by furnishing a one-month’s rent arrearage payment, payment for utility arrearage payment, first month's rent, or a free voucher for food or baby items such as diapers.
Family Support offers weekly one-on-one sessions with a trained case manager. It will help people with achieving personal goals in areas such as education and employment. Also, plans are made for eliminating barriers to overcoming poverty.
LIFT - Life Improvement Family Training Workshops teach clients valuable life skills, including home energy conservation, budgeting, personal health and wellness, CPR/First Aid, employment training, computer literacy and much more. Clients receive up to $20 for each workshop completed. Also, depending on workshop scheduling and duration, a free hot lunch may be provided.
Free Tax Preparation and Electronic Filing are available through South Central Missouri Community Action Agency at no charge for seniors as well as low to moderate-income households. The service, also known as VITA, can help the disabled and veterans who qualify for Missouri Property Tax or Certification of Rent credits.
School Readiness Events in counties such as Carter and Wayne provide financially struggling households with school-aged children with support. The assistance includes free health screenings, school supplies, informational booths, fun and educational activities, and backpacks.
In certain counties supported by the agency, eligible households may qualify for emergency heating bill assistance from Dollar Help or the similar named Dollar More. They are offered as the result of a partnership with Ameren UE, Laclede Gas and the United Way.
Additional Energy Assistance helps pay the primary heating fuel bills of income-eligible Missourians. Grants are paid out during the colder months of October through March. Eligibility for EA benefits is determined according to household income, family size, available government funding given to Missouri, and responsibility for payment of future home heating costs.
SCMCAA also operates the ECIP - Energy Crisis Intervention Program, which provides funds for the purpose of preventing service disconnection or restoring service that has been disconnected. Additional needs funded through the resource may include emergency repair or replacement of faulty heating units and/or purchase of air conditioners or wood stoves, as needed.
As long as funding remains available after the winter months, then ECIP may be able to help pay cooling bills. So it may operate year round.
The Weatherization Program is a free service that provides low cost, or even free, energy-efficient alterations to the homes of qualifying homeowners or landlords that have rental tenants. Program services include save money on heating and cooling services. This will involve insulating the home and making needed repairs that help the occupants conserve energy as well as stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
The goal of the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency Workforce Investment Act is to provide the opportunity for economically disadvantaged residents to get a job or new skills. There is also support for young people aged 16 through 21 to gain knowledge, skills and training necessary for obtaining full-time, subsidized employment. Besides being financially disadvantaged, prospective participants must be faced with a lack of basic skills. Or they many live in an economically depressed rural area, be a school dropout, Pregnant or parenting, or Offender.
Clients of WIA may be placed into paid or unpaid work experience. Youth will explore summer employment opportunities or take part in occupational skills training. There is also Adult mentoring as well as Comprehensive guidance and counseling from teachers.
For more details on the programs, South Central Missouri Community Action Agency can be called at 573-325-4255. The agency may offer other support too, and the address is Winona, MO 65588-0006.
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