Lakes and Pines Community Action Council

Early childhood and family developmentprovided services to income eligible pregnant women and children up to 5 years of age. The services are comprehensive with the cornerstones of parent and child education, health, family, and Community asset building. Early head start and head start are programs committed to giving every vulnerable child an opportunity to succeed.

Weatherizationthe goal is to reduce air filtration and lower energy costs with insulation, weather stripping, caulking and installation of energy efficient doors, windows, etc. By insulating homes that would not receive energy efficiency improvements, families experience a higher quality of life. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reduces the nation's dependence on foreign oil. 74 households were served by this program.energy assistanceaided through payment of fuel/utility bills and repair or replacement of heating systems to correct emergency problems. This program made fuel bills more affordable for low income families.

Community services has a variety of programs: emergency housing assistanceprovided case management and/or financial assistance to individuals or families who experienced a temporary housing crisis that could have rendered them homeless. Funds helped by assisting with mortgages, rent, deposits, transportation costs, and emergency shelter costs, but also intensive case management to prevent future housing emergencies (budget counseling, resource referrals, or a permanent housing plan). Emergency shelter vouchers were provided to those who were experiencing homelessness along with assessments to be placed on coordinated entry for access to housing programs in the region. Application assistance was provided to those applying for renthelpmn as well as support to landlords.homeless youth programsprovided case management and/or financial assistance to at-risk and homeless youth (24 years old and younger). Funds helped by assisting with rent, deposits, transportation costs, and intensive case management to achieve self-sufficiency (budget counseling, goal setting, resource referrals).volunteer income tax assistanceprovided free income tax preparation for low-income individuals and families to ensure income tax forms were filed with all the tax credits they were eligible for. Individuals and families were able to use the tax refunds to repair their vehicles, homes and credit which also helped to stimulate the local economy. This program also provided an additional opportunity for staff to educate the public on financial literacy topics.financial literacy educationprovided one-on-one and classroom style financial coaching and education sessions. Participants learned about budgeting, debt reduction, repairing credit, building assets and how to navigate financial institutions and products. Classes were offered throughout the seven-county service area and one-one-one sessions were also scheduled for persons eligible for public assistance programs.food shelf supportstaff members regularly donated to area food shelves (bi-weekly collections are held). Garden seeds were also distributed to area food shelves in the spring to encourage individuals and families to start growing their own food.clothing assistanceprovided vouchers to individuals and families in an emergency or crisis situation, to purchase clothing and necessities at area local businesses and thrift stores.supplemental nutritional assistance program (snap) outreachprovided outreach, education and application assistance to area individuals and families that are eligible. This is formerly known as food support or food stamps.employment and trainingprovided to help people on snap prepare for and find a job. Depending on individual's needs, the program may provide job placement assistance, job training, english language training, and other services.social security advocacy servicesprovided outreach, education and application assistance to area individuals with long-term health issues that prohibit them from working who are also unhoused or unstably housed and are enrolled on state public assistance.healthcare access/mnsureprovided outreach, education and application assistance to area individuals and families to obtain affordable healthcare coverage, either through public programs or private insurance companies through the health care exchange called mnsure.live well at homeprovided assessments to seniors and matched those individuals with volunteers who provide chore services and grocery delivery aimed to keep the person in their home rather than entering a nursing home or assisted living facility.title iii respite programserviced caregivers by offering a break from their adult family member. This service also provided an opportunity for the care recipient to enjoy socializing with other seniors.

Housing rehabilitationfunds were administered from the Minnesota housing finance agency for the rehabilitation loan program. These grant funds were used to repair homes to meet section 8 housing quality standards. Grant funds were loaned, at zero interest, to owner occupied property for a loan term of 15 years. At that time, if the property is still owned by the original borrower the loan will be forgiven. Funds were administered from the department of employment and economic development for the cities of pine city, hinckley, foreston, pease, and pine county at a 10-year, interest free, forgivable loan. Funds were administered from pine county to fix non-compliant septic systems at a 10-year, interest free, forgivable loan.