KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
Programs
Community Services for Families
COMMUNITY SERVICES IS COMPRISED OF TWO DIVISIONS: (1) SOCIAL SERVICES, AND (2) TRANSPORTATION.THE SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION IMPLEMENTS THE MAINE FAMILIES HOME VISITING PROGRAM AND THE KENNEBEC/SOMERSET FAMILY ENRICHMENT COUNCILS. MAINE FAMILIES PARTNERS WITH EXPECTING OR NEW PARENTS TO ENSURE SAFE HOME ENVIRONMENTS AND PROMOTE HEALTHY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE FAMILY ENRICHMENT COUNCILS PROMOTE PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES. THROUGH THEIR WORK, 177 PARENTS/GUARDIANS PARTICIPATED IN THE MAINE FAMILIES HOME VISITING PROGRAM, 1002 IN PARENTING CLASSES, 216 IN PLAYGROUPS, AND 27 IN PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS. ANNUAL DIAPER DRIVES THROUGHOUT KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES COLLECTED MORE THAN 98,000 DIAPERS AND HIGHLIGHTED COLLABORATION EFFORTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, CLUBS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE FOURTH ANNUAL COMMUNITY BABY SHOWER WAS HELD IN JUNE 2023 WHERE 135 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED WELCOME BABY BAGS FILLED WITH BASIC ESSENTIALS THAT INCLUDED DIAPERS, WIPES AND CREAM; A SLEEP SACK AND HOMEMADE BLANKET; NEW BALANCE SNEAKERS; NEW BABY CLOTHING; BIBS, BURP CLOTHS, AND PACIFIERS; A BOOK AND A TOY; AND SAFETY ITEMS AND HEALTHY CHILD DEVELOPMENT LITERATURE, AND WERE ABLE TO SHOP FOR FREE AT THE GENTLY USED BABY BOUTIQUE WHICH INCLUDED SUCH ITEMS AS MATERNITY AND BABY CLOTHING, STROLLERS, AND BABY BATHTUBS AMONG OTHER ITEMS. COMMUNITY PARTNERS SHARED INFORMATION AND GIVEAWAYS WITH ATTENDEES. TOPICS INCLUDED SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES, BREASTFEEDING, HEALTH SERVICE, THE WIC PROGRAM, CAR SEAT SAFETY, AND SELF-CARE FOR PARENTS.THE TRANSPORTATION DIVISION HAS TWO COMPONENTS: (1) OPERATING PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES IN THE AUGUSTA, WATERVILLE, AND SKOWHEGAN AREAS THROUGH THE KENNEBEC EXPLORER AND SOMERSET EXPLORER, AND (2) PROVIDING DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION FOR MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS BY UTILIZING AGENCY VEHICLES AND A NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS. THE KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET PUBLIC BUSES PROVIDED 36,934 RIDES, BRINGING PEOPLE TO WORK, SCHOOL, HEALTH CARE AND TO ACCESS LOCAL BUSINESS AND SERVICES IN KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES. KV VAN AND VOLUNTEER DRIVERS PROVIDED 234,675 RIDES, BRINGING PEOPLE TO HEALTH RELATED APPOINTMENTS. ALL IN ALL, THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS DROVE PASSENGERS MORE THAN 5 MILLION MILES.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesOct 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2023Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$15.5MEarly Care and Education Services
CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, HIGH QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL BASED CARE, EDUCARE CENTRAL MAINE, SKOWHEGAN EARLY HEAD START, HOMESTART PROVIDER PARTNERS, AND THROUGH HOME VISITING THROUGHOUT NORTHERN KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES. THE PROGRAM'S GOAL IS TO INCREASE SOCIAL COMPETENCE AND SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS OF CHILDREN SO THEY ACQUIRE THE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL. THIS INCLUDES PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS TO CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM, RECEIVING ON-SITE DENTAL EXAMS, AND RECEIVING ON-SITE LEAD TESTING. THE PROGRAM ALSO PARTNERED WITH PARENTS ON HOME VISITS PROVIDING SUPPORTS RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, RECEIVING TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND PROVIDING HELP FINDING AND SECURING AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THIS YEAR 540 CHILDREN INCREASED THEIR READINESS FOR SCHOOL SUCCESS; 462 CHILDREN RECEIVED HEARING SCREENINGS, 464 CHILDREN RECEIVED VISION SCREENINGS, AND 360 CHILDREN RECEIVED DENTAL EXAMS.IN FURTHERANCE OF OUR COLLABORATION WITH MSAD #54 TO PROVIDE QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION IN THE SKOWHEGAN AREA, KVCAP IS PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY ON THE BUILDING BETTER BEGINNINGS CAMPAIGN. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DETERMINED THAT A NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SKOWHEGAN WAS CRITICAL FOR THE REGION. THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE NEW SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN AGED 4 THROUGH 11 YEARS OLD. THE BUILDING BETTER BEGINNINGS CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED $3 MILLION DOLLARS THROUGH DONATIONS, GRANTS AND PLEDGES TO EXPAND THE CONSTRUCTION IN ORDER TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR CHILDREN THAT WOULD BEGIN AT BIRTH AND BE BASED ON THE EDUCARE CENTRAL MAINE MODEL.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesOct 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2023Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$12MEnergy and Housing Assistance Programs
ENERGY & HOUSING SERVICES IS COMPRISED OF THREE DIVISIONS: (1) ENERGY & HOUSING SERVICES, (2) COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, AND (3) REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.THE ENERGY & HOUSING SERVICES DIVISION WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, TO REDUCE ENERGY BURDEN, TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND TO SUSTAIN OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP IN KENNEBEC, SOMERSET, LINCOLN, AND SAGADAHOC COUNTIES. THIS IS DONE THROUGH A VARIETY OF EDUCATION/ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING: LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP), LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIAP), EMERGENCY CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM (ECIP), CENTRAL HEATING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CHIP), WEATHERIZATION, HOME REPAIR, DEP HOME HEATING OIL TANK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, EMERGENCY RENTAL RELIEF PROGRAM (ERA), FORECLOSURE COUNSELING, AND HOMEBUYER EDUCATION. IN THIS LAST YEAR, 7,457 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED FUEL ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM STAY WARM THROUGH THE WINTER; 261 FURNACES WERE SERVICED OR REPLACED, MAKING THEM SAFER AND MORE EFFECTIVE; 168 HOUSEHOLDS HAD A HEAT PUMP INSTALLED; 48 HOMES WERE WEATHERIZED, CREATING A SIGNIFICANT ENERGY SAVINGS FOR RECIPIENTS; AND 46 HOMES WERE REPAIRED, PROVIDING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR RECIPIENTS. THERE WERE 219 PEOPLE WHO ACCESSED THE HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND WITH $2.1 MILLION IN ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM AVOID FORECLOSURE AND/OR HELP WITH PROPERTY TAXES, INSURANCE, AND UTILITY PAYMENTS. 393 PEOPLE ALSO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A HOMEBUYER EDUCATION COURSE.THE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES DIVISION PROGRAMMING IS MANAGED THROUGH THE ENERGY & HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS PART OF THEIR COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. THIS INCLUDES OPERATING A TEEN CENTER, RESOURCE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM, AND FACILITATING THE POVERTY ACTION COALITION IN BOTH KENNEBEC AND SOMERSET COUNTIES. THE SOUTH END TEEN CENTER PROVIDES ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES TO YOUTH FROM GRADES 6 THROUGH 12 IN WATERVILLE, MAINE. THIRTY-FOUR MEMBERS ATTENDED AND PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES THAT INCLUDED COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, MUSIC LESSONS, COOKING CLASSES, HOMEWORK AND TUTORING, JOB TRAINING, AND OTHER ENRICHING ACTIVITIES WHILE FOCUSED ON COMPLETING THE SCHOOL YEAR AND/OR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL. THE RESOURCE NAVIGATOR PROGRAM PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO CLIENTS REFERRED THROUGH OTHER KVCAP PROGRAMS TO RECEIVE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO HELP ADDRESS A FINANCIAL CRISIS. THE POVERTY ACTION COALITIONS' (PAC) COMMUNITY INVESTORS INITIATIVE DRAWS ON THE RESOURCES OF THE LARGER COMMUNITY TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE FACING A CRISIS THAT THREATENS THEIR STABILITY AND WHEN NO OTHER RESOURCES EXIST. SPECIAL GRANT DOLLARS AND LOCAL DONATIONS ALLOW US TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH ESSENTIAL NEEDS INCLUDING FOOD AND HYGIENE ITEMS, FUEL, UTILITY EXPENSES, CELL PHONE AND INTERNET SERVICES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN WORK AND SCHOOL FROM HOME, CAR PAYMENTS, AND INSURANCE.THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION WORKS TOWARD FINDING AND DEVELOPING OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS THE AREAS NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. DURING THE YEAR, THE CONSTRUCTION OF 40 MARY STREET APARTMENTS WERE COMPLETED, PROVIDING WORKFORCE HOUSING IN SKOWHEGAN; 30 ADDITIONAL SENIOR APARTMENTS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN HARTLAND ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT COMPLETED IN MAY OF 2022; AND 9 CONDO UNITS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT CONY VILLAGE IN AUGUSTA.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesOct 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2023Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$11.5M
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