Many HACAP Programs See Positive Effects of ARRA

“In the face of an economic crisis, the magnitude of which we have not seen since the Great Depression, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act represents a strategic -- and significant -- investment in our country’s future.

The Act will save and create three to four million jobs, 90 percent of them in the private sector. It will provide more than $150 billion to low-income and vulnerable households -- spurring increased economic activity that will save and create more than one million jobs.” www.recovery.gov

Fortunately, HACAP has been given the opportunity to play a significant role in the implementation of this Act in Eastern Iowa. We are currently in the midst of many activities that are a part of the economic stimulus plan:

• A significant portion of the ARRA economic stimulus package includes an increase in CSBG funds. HACAP is taking this opportunity to add several initiatives to our roster of currently thriving programs. These initiatives include:
  • Financial Literacy Program (FLiP) – designed to increase awareness of household financial management techniques and household financial/budget planning in order to promote economic self-sufficiency.

  • Family Development Program – designed to provide services which strengthen families negatively impacted by the economic downturn.

  • Youth Initiative – designed to create opportunities for children from families negatively impacted by the economic downturn to participate in school and afterschool activities who otherwise would be unable to afford participation or equipment fees. The initiative will also have a work skill development component.

  • Community Development Initiative (CDI) – designed to assess gaps of service created as a direct result of the current recession, and strengthen existing relationships with other human service and faith-based organizations.

• We have received an initial Weatherization contract and are moving ahead with ARRA Weatherization plans. With the addition of the funding allocated to HACAP through the ARRA, our Weatherization department will be functioning with a budget nearly four times larger than it would have without those funds. This means great things for Weatherization in our service area! More staff will be hired, which will allow for more homes to be weatherized, and therefore reducing energy costs for many members of the community. HACAP’s Weatherization program has also been selected to be the state training site for other ARRA funded Weatherization programs. This is a great testament to the quality of work that our team provides to the community.
• HACAP’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs have seen considerable advancements due to the ARRA funding, and hope to see many more in the near future. HS/EHS received notification of the ARRA Cost Of Living Award (COLA) which has provided a 3.06% salary increase and a one time pay-out of 1.84%. We have also applied for additional Head Start and Early Head Start expansion grants which will provide the opportunity to add several classrooms in our service area. This will allow for many additional children to receive the excellent benefits of the Head Start programs.
• A contract has also been received for HACAP’s Senior Internship Program (SIP). This boost from the ARRA will allow us to offer employment to more senior workers and put more people into the workforce. Currently, HACAP employs approximately 40 people through this program, and we hope to see the numbers grow very soon!

During a time of economic uncertainty, we at HACAP are excited to be able to offer these and many other opportunities for increased economic activity and success. For more information on how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is working in our agency, please contact Allison Roehrich at aroehrich@hacap.org.

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