Action Pathways

Action Pathways, Inc. head start is a dually enrolled program and serves preschool (three-year old children and nc pre-k which is a state-funded, community-based pre -kindergarten programdesigned to provide four-year-old children, who may not otherwise be served, with a valuable early education experiences. This fullday program provides young children access to an evidence - based curriculum and pre-school learning environment to enhance school readiness. The pre-kindrgarten standards are built on the premise that 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 pre school head start children. To increase school readiness, intentional 21st century teaching strategies are provided in the early childhood setting with brain development, developmentally appropriateactivities, and whole child focus in mind. Action Pathways, Inc. head start employs a mental health coordinator and disabilities and inclusion coordinator to support the social emotional and developmental needs of children and families. Coming out of a covid-19 focused society, being well equipped to serve the needs of trauma affected families is paramount to a community based, whole - child focused program. 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 2022, all enrolled families developed family partnership agreements.in 2022-23, 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. During the 2022 - 2023 program year, cacfp child nutrtion program provided the participants of head start and early head start child with up 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 on the food and nutrition services as well as referrals to the food bank operated under Action pathways,inc.

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.

The second harvest food bank of southeast north carolina serves a network of more than 200 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults. The food bank serves the counties of bladen, cumberland, duplin, hoke, harnett, robeson and sampson. 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 allows adolescent students to "shop" for themselves and their families from a variety of food, hygiene items, and other necessities. This program provides nutritious foods in easy-to-prepare formats for students who may have limited cooking skills and allow students to provide for nutritional needs of their families. The food bank serves post-secondary students and their families attending community college, four-year universities, and continuing education courses through our college pantry program.the backpack program provides wholesome and nutritious food to elementary school students facing hunger. With the help of volunteers, the food bank provides food for backpacks each thursday for distribution at schools on friday. Each student receives enough food for the weekend to supplement meals otherwise not available. According to the most recent numbers released by feeding america, 16.1% of the of our service area is food insecure with almost 110,000 people not knowing where their next meal will come from. Nearly 18% of the food insecure population are seniors. Many seniors with insufficient savings and pensions live on fixed or limited incomes and have a food budget that is often overshadowed by rent or utility payments as well as the cost of much-needed medications. The food bank in partnership with our agency network- provides senior feeding through our harvest of hope program. Harvest of hope is offered to low-income seniors residing within our seven-county service area who are 55 or older. The program is designed to meet the nutritional needs of seniors by offering low-sodium, low-sugar, and low-fat options. Over one thousand harvest of hope boxes are packed here at the warehouse with the help of volunteers every month. These boxes are distributed to seniors with help from our partner agencies.the north carolina general assembly provides funding through state appropriated monetary process. The funding allows the food bank to purchase products such as canned vegetables, fruits, soups, and other nutritional items which normally don't come through donations.the food bank administers the emergency food assistance program (tefap) through the north carolina department of agriculture (ncda). The federal program helps supplement the diets of people living with a low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Currently, the food bank partners with 52 nonprofit organizations delivering the service in 5 southeastern counties of bladen, cumberland, hoke, robeson, and sampson.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. The typical mobile food pantry provides- dry goods, fresh produce, and fresh meat/dairy (when available).the second harvest food bank of southeast north carolina acts as a first responder in times of disaster. When a tornado or flood strikes, we draw upon our food supplies to deliver emergency food and water to residents directly impacted.in times of disaster, the food bank deploys its fleet of refrigerated trucks to deliver food to those that need it most. Thank you to our generous donors, for donating trucks that help us accomplish this important part of our mission.the food bank partners with local and state agencies to provide volunteer and community service opportunities for individuals and families. Groups of all shapes and sizes throughout the food bank's service area volunteer from warehouse worker to administrative functions.the grocery retail program is to rescue edible foods such as meats, deli, and other perishable products from grocery stores. The food bank assigns member agencies to store locations for direct pickup in underserved communities. The food bank partners with 15 national grocery retailers located within our service area to rescue food to be given to over 40 member agencies. The food bank has formed partnerships with local, north carolina farmers and growers to provide our partner agencies with fresh produce and proteins including fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and eggs.

Aspire self sufficiency program provided comprehensive case management services to some 230 cumberland and sampson county families whose income is 125% or less of federal poverty guidelines during 2022. 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.outcomes230 participants serviced10 family rose above the federal poverty guidelines11 obtained employment or better employment7 obtained jobs with medical benefits25completed educational programs resulting in a diploma,certification or degree7 obtained safe housing127 received emergency assistance13 received employment supportive services that assisted in maintaining employment25 received educational supportive services to achieve educational goals122 maintained housing25 protected from disconnection of electrical services31 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 221participants and included mortgage assistance, eviction prevention services, and utilitypayments 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 individualand family needs.relief nc program: the relief nc program has provided emergency reliefservices to 53 families 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.