Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP).
Residents of the capital region can contact the Albany Community Action Partnership. The non-profit will work with clients to help them overcome their challenges and poverty. They can also guide low income families to various short term, emergency assistance programs or government benefits.
The Albany Community Action Partnership, or ACAP, offers low income parents and residents of Albany County New York with much-needed help by way of child care programs. Each program available is in compliance with licensing regulations instituted by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and/or the NYS Department of Education. The child care programs often go beyond what is required by state or federal government law to ensure quality comprehensive care for income qualified Albany County children and families.
A full-day child care facility known as Early Learning Center is a location for children 6 weeks to 5 years of age. The Head Start program is funded by government grants. The classrooms, which are also a part of this ELC, offer affordable day care for children under the age of 6. There are also several other Early Childhood Education programs offered by the ACAP for students and young children, as noted below.
The non-profit Albany Community Action Partnership's Early Learning Center, which is located on Monroe Street in downtown Albany New York, offers clients with full-day child care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age.
Working with the agency are trained and highly dedicated teachers and staff members. They work at the center ensure that children and youth in their care get free nutritious meals, adequate rest opportunities and engage in wide variety of developmentally appropriate activities in a nurturing environment. The program is subsidized by the government, but the rates are affordable using benefits of the Department of Social Services. The Early Learning Center also cares for children with disabilities and special needs with their Head Start programming and integrated classroom placement.
Emergency financial assistance and grants can to cover cost of heating bills, cost of improving energy efficiency, weatherization and cost of adaptations to accommodate a disability or advancing age. All of these services are funded by the federal government and help low-income families save money, which can be used for other important necessities.
The New York Head Start program provides a range of services ranging from comprehensive health and nutrition to mental health, parent involvement, free dental, education and family social services. It is for those children who are diagnosed with disabilities, and in these cases Head Start offers Albany County families a full range of inclusive special education services.
A Food Pantry from Albany Community Action Partnership offers year-round emergency supplies. Groceries, canned goods, meals and other items are offered from ACAP to low-income and working poor residents of Cohoes whose restricted food budgets have left them short of funds and money to buy the groceries.
Also, Cohoes Food Pantry receives donations from numerous sources including the Food Pantries for the Capital District, charities, the Regional Food Bank, local churches, businesses, drives, senior citizens and schools. It is located at 20 White Street, Cohoes, NY 12047.
Job Training and Career Services support individuals and their families on their path to economic employment and self-sufficiency. Albany Community Action Partnership provides them with the right skills and training needed to begin a successful career and gain a life sustaining income. Towards this goal, ACAP offers clients with career readiness training, soft skills training, information on employment and post-employment services to those who are temporarily employed or new to the workforce.
A resource is the Health Profession Opportunity Grants. Qualified individuals from the area that are interested in the healthcare industry can receive relevant training from the Health Profession Opportunity Grants, or HPOG. This is an integrated program within the Community and Career Services Department. Together with the Schenectady County Community College. HPOG offers participants a wide range of counseling and employment support services.
Career Pathways is for individuals that are interested in a career within one of several growing industries in the Capital Region. It will help clients grow their careers. They can benefit from specific training and education provided by Career Pathways, a partnership program within our Community and Career Services Department.
Dress for Success Albany is administered by ACAP career services. Qualified participants and referred women who are transitioning into the workforce can get help with free attire, career development, and even gently used interview suits from Dress for Success Albany. The organization is dedicated to helping women achieve both economic independence and self-sufficiency by addressing their economic needs in relation to home, work and community.
The organization, which is a key partner of ACAP, focuses on serving job-ready women, who have been referred by various organizations such as re-entry programs, shelters, domestic violence agencies and training programs. Women who are referred to Dress for Success Albany will be given a free suit for the job interview. Those who are successful in gaining employment will also be able to receive additional help with building a professional wardrobe as well as an invitation to join the Albany New York based Professional Women's Group.
The Weatherization Assistance program from Albany Community Action Partnership helps families make their homes more energy efficient and save money. This means additional savings on energy costs more comfortable home and saved energy costs.
The home will be visited by an energy auditor. They will perform, for free, a comprehensive energy audit on the dwelling to evaluate the building's current energy uses. This helps to identify measures that will provide safe, cost-effective energy related repairs to the building. Upon completion of the audit, the highly skilled weatherization work crew organized by ACAP visits the building to perform the necessary work.
Residents with disabilities can benefit from Access to Home. It will help Albany County residents with assistance with home adaptations, updates and renovations so disabled residents can live independently in their own homes rather than more expensive and restrictive institutional settings. Total improvements may not exceed $25,000, as funding allows. This is only for low income families.
Types of updates paid for can be specialized equipment such as lifts, specialized thermostatic controls, appliances, wheelchair ramps and equipment that respond to voice commands. Other updates can be interior modifications such as non-skid flooring, widening of doorways, Kitchen counter/appliance accessibility, installation of smoke/carbon monoxide/burglar alarms for hearing impaired, first floor bedroom/bathroom relocation, and easier bathroom accessibility for wheelchairs.
Energy-related repairs that the government program may provide include Boilers, insulation, Weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows, energy saving light bulbs, and even the cleaning, testing and repairs or replacement of heating appliances and furnaces. Albany Community Action Partnership oversees weatherization.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is free federal government and State income tax returns. The so called VITA Program also offers FREE electronic filing of completed tax returns.
The Albany Community Action Partnership covers the entire county. The main ACAP office is at 333 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, New York 12206. The main number is 518- 463-3175
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