Community Services Block Grant Success Stories
Community Action Agencies across the state have been documenting stories about how Community Service Block Grants support Washington communities. Community Service Block Grants (CSBG) provide federal, and Recovery Act funds that support Community Action Agencies across Washington. Agencies develop and implement local programs that address employment, education, housing, nutrition, and emergency services.
Hopelink, Story, date
CAMP (ARRA), Housing assistance is on the way thanks to the ARRA funded Housing Referal Program - January 2010
Neighborhood House, Job assistance program helps new Washingtion State workers - January 2010
Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs (ARRA), Sustainable business development program assists business owners - January 2010
Solid Ground (ARRA), King County shelter provides a safe-haven for domestic violence victims - January 2010
Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council (ARRA), Literacy Center gives students a sense of accomplishment and staisfaction, February 2010
City of Seattle (ARRA), ARRA funded rental assistance program helps King County resident through hard times, February 2010
Kitsap Community Resources, Emergency Housing helps a family get back on their feet - February 2010
Lower Columbia CAP, Planning and saving help a family and a small business in Lexington - February 2010
Pierce County, Residents of Pierce County receive much needed medical care - February 2010
Skagit County, ARRA funding allows for increased communication throughout Skagit County -February 2010
Coastal CAP, In-home care program makes a difference for Grays Harbor seniors - March 2010
Hopelink, Family development program provides a new start for mother of two - March 2010
Metropolitan Development Council, Case management provides a support system for Pierce County resident, March 2010
Pierce County (ARRA), Health assistance is on the way for Pierce County residents in need -March 2010
Washington Gorge Action Programs (ARRA), At-risk teens have a place to learn and grow at revamped Community Youth Center - March 2010
Community Action Center (ARRA), Legal help is on the way thanks to new ARRA funded postion - April 2010
Clark County (ARRA), Financial stability is within reach for Clark County residents - April 2010
Clark County (ARRA), ARRA funded program empowers veteran women in Clark County - April 2010
Coastal CAP (ARRA), Project Homeless Connect provides a clearer picture of homeless population - April 2010
HopeSource, AmeriCorps volunteer saves a Kittitas woman from her freezer - April 2010
The Opportunity Council (ARRA), Community Energy Challenge will create an increase in jobs, energy efficiency and decrease in utlility bills - April 2010
The Opportunity Council (ARRA), Innovative furniture bank serves those in need - April 2010
Recovery Act funds services to children who are victims of crime
December 15, 2009
The Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded Michelle Miller’s new job as a staff therapist. “I have the opportunity to help children who have been victims of abuse, build their self confidence, realize self worth and enjoy life again.”
Ms. Miller was hired by Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center (Monarch) in Thurston County to provide individual and group therapy to sexually abused children and their families. Ms. Miller is able to meet with 20-25 clients a week, nearly doubling the amount of clients Monarch was able to serve before the Recovery funding.
Monarch is one of eleven child advocacy centers in Washington, and as part of the
Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties, provides free social and legal services to families in need. Commerce has distributed $294,500 in Recovery Act funds that support six jobs like Michelle’s to provide services for child victims of sexual abuse, and their families, across Washington.
For more information on programs like this at Commerce’s Office of Crime Victims Advocacy, contact
Stephanie Condon. For more information on Monarch Children’s Justice and Advocacy Center contact
Tambra Donohue.
New Americans Program: On Target
October 1, 2009
The Washington New Americans Program was created by Legislative proviso in 2008 to help legal permanent residents in the state become naturalized U.S. citizens (ESHB 2687, Laws of 2008).
Commerce contracted with OneAmerica to coordinate implementation of the New Americans program. OneAmerica published a report on the work completed during their first year. A Commerce report to the Legislature on the first year of the program found that the first phase of the New Americans program met and exceeded performance objectives.
Naturalization is the legal process that a foreign citizen or national can use to become a U.S. citizen. In order to be naturalized, an applicant must first be qualified to apply for citizenship. Then the applicant must complete the complex federal N-400 application and pay a filing fee. After that application is screened and approved the applicant must attend an interview, and pass an English and a civics test. Upon successful completion of these steps the applicant takes an oath of loyalty and becomes a citizen. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have been working to increase processing time for applications. It can take a few years for applicants to complete the naturalization process.
Recovery Act provides job training through Hope University
September 22, 2009
Adam Auckland and Jesse James have jobs funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They were hired to build Hope University, a new service that HopeSource uses to improve the lives of low-income individuals and families in Kittitas County through a Community Service Block Grant.
The Recovery grant is intended to get Hope University started. HopeSource’s Executive Director Susan Grindle plans on local funds and other grants to sustain it.
Hope University will use a college theme to provide different levels of instruction to adults who want to improve their lives. The first level—Hope 101—will assess and provide help for income qualified ‘students’ to meet basic needs and make sure they have access to safe housing, food, and other basic needs. The second level—Career 201—will connect employers to students who will gain skills through on the job training. Grindle estimates that 35 program participants will find employment though Hope University in the next year.
After families have reached sustainability, upper division classes, like upper division classes at nearby Central Washington University, will provide the next level of training. At Hope University that includes personal finance, family development, and assistance with college or other career improvement.
“This is about getting people who never planned on going to college to start thinking about it,” Hope University’s Auckland said. He’s similar to the students they are targeting—he just finished college after being in the workforce for years.
Grindle explained that “Recovery funds have given us a boost like the boost we give our clients to get them moving forward in life. This grant will allow us to do some amazing things for our community”.