ANNUAL REPORT

FY 2017 Wayne Co. Location: 905 Pittsburgh Avenue ● Wooster, OH 44691 ● 330.264.8677

www.cawm.org

Medina Co. Location: 799 North Court St. ● Medina, OH 44256 ● 330.723.2229

Courage doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage is the quiet voice

at the end of the day saying

'I will try again tomorrow.' - Mary Anne Radmacher, American author/artist

LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY

It takes courage to face a day when you don’t have the resources to provide

solutions. Community Action Wayne/Medina made strides in 2017 to invest in solutions

that narrow the opportunity gap that many people face who are resource-challenged.

Every day, we witness courage. The courage of our Head Start students, eager to

learn even when their home environment may be unstable or they come to Head Start

hungry. The courage of a single mom who works two or three part-time jobs, trying to

provide for her family. The courage of a young person in recovery who knows that

their future can be brighter, but it’s not going to be easy to get there. The courage

of an older adult, someone with a disability or a retired veteran whose fixed income

forces choices between buying food or buying medications to stabilize their health.

Our Getting Ahead program continues to successfully prepare individuals to determine

the path out of poverty, fortified by soft skills certification, meeting financial literacy

goals and strengthening their social capital through peer support and life coaching.

Using the Bridges Out of Poverty model, CAW/M raised public awareness in Medina

County through trainings in Bridges and Workplace Stability.

Together with community partners, transportation in Wayne County continued to be

enhanced and 2018 promises to be a banner year in expanding access.

Our Head Start preschool program continued fulfilling its plan to transition part-day

classes to full-day to increase positive impact for developmental growth and well-

being.

Our friends at Wayne County Habitat for Humanity partnered with CAW/M to build the

agency a storage garage at the Lincoln Way Center.

Staff and the Board fortified agency corporate and mission systems through a robust

community needs assessment, agency wide risk assessment, transition to online

payroll system and investment in IT technology along with internet training and

security enhancements.

CAW/M’s new website presents a vehicle for promoting CAW/M’s news, services and

helpful resources.

As we look forward to continuing to build useful tools, we acknowledge the courage of

the people we serve and work to make sure these tools allow the progress their

courage deserves.

Cliff Bellar Melissa Pearce Board Chair, CAW/M President/CEO

MISSION, VISION & VALUES

Vision

Our most vulnerable citizens live with dignity and hope for their

future.

Mission

We build bridges of hope and self-sufficiency by connecting

people to resources where basic needs are met and education

becomes a lifelong journey.

Values

Acceptance – that all people are valuable, capable, and full of

potential.

Self-Determination – that all persons have the right to decide what is best for them.

Education – that we are all lifelong learners and we model that for others.

Access – that equitable access to resources, information and opportunity is critical to building self-sufficiency.

Opportunity – that opportunity presents itself every day for us to grow.

Commitment – that it is essential for us to work together with mutual respect for one another, especially with commitment to customer service excellence.

COMMUNITY ACTION MISSION DELIVERY

Participation in Job Fairs Helps Keep a Pulse on Workplace Trends

For over 50 years, Community Action Wayne/Medina (CAW/M) has been

committed to its mission of self-sufficiency and household economic stability as the road out of poverty. In the past year, we have given significant attention to how to strengthen the confidence of people who lack resources and to help them recognize how to create their own path out of poverty. It is also important to give them confidence to advocate for themselves. So many times our culture will marginalize people in the low-income sector, and make assumptions about their choices and which solutions would work for them.

CAW/M recognizes that many of the people we serve work hard, have strong survival skills and deserve respect for the manner in which they strive for a better future. Through Bridges Out of Poverty and Workplace Stability training, CAW/M has provided our greater community a way to further understand how poverty creates an opportunity gap. When we address that gap to level the playing field, efforts to “try again tomorrow” will be more fruitful.

ENERGY SERVICES & ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE Due to the continued growth and the increase in program development, CAW/M

made the decision to split the Housing and Economic Assistance Department by its areas of focus. As a result, the agency now has the Planning and Community Development Department and the Energy Services Department. Planning and Community Development encompasses self-sufficiency programming that includes Getting Ahead, along with other Bridges Out of Poverty initiatives, and Transportation. The department is also charged with agency marketing, the development of a volunteer program and other initiatives. CAW/M recognizes that rural community development should be a result of a thorough evaluation of what the community already has, what the current needs are, and what opportunities are possible with the resources already available in the area. Last year, CAW/M completed a comprehensive needs assessment that included strategic planning sessions with interested agencies, focus groups with low income residents, a broad look at current demographics, a review of other agency assessments, and a survey offered to CAW/M customers and the public at large. The results of this research determine the programs needed, as well aids strategic plan for the agency. Getting Ahead continued to bring success and life-changing education in the lives of participants as they improve employment, achieve promotion due to better soft skills and apply financial literacy to increase credit scores, decrease debt and gain household financial stability. As knowledge and access to resources increases, people gain the tools to navigate their present to build a better future. Through a new network, they gain social capital that creates new opportunities.

With a focus on developing CAW/M Volunteer opportunities, Getting Ahead graduates operated the annual plant program as volunteers and as funding erodes for free tax preparation, CAW/M has begun to recruit volunteers to expand access to the in-demand service. As a way to further fund self-sufficiency programs, CAW/M is embarking on a social enterprise home inspection and handyman program that further leverages the in-house expertise of the Energy Services Department.

"Getting Ahead was unlike any other program I have gone through. I have to fight every day

to stay drug free. Getting Ahead not only helped me to see what I had been doing wrong my

whole life, it helped me figure out how to change it. I have new friends that support me now

that I am in college. I want to become a counselor and help someone like people helped me.”"

- Getting Ahead Graduate A milestone was achieved again in transportaion services as impact increased from

5,745 in 2016 to 26,604 in 2017 with the expansion of the Wooster City program and

its strategic reach to expand workplace access and individual self-sufficiency, thus

improving the quality of life for resource-challenged individuals

We are pleased to report our 2017 energy services and economic assistance service

results (some eligible customers utilize more than one service):

Housing & Energy Programs

Units of Service by Program

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) 53

Home Maintenance and Repair (HMR) Community Service Block Grant + Ohio Housing Trust Fund

23

Columbia Gas - WarmChoice 9

Dominion Gas - Housewarming 19

First Energy – Community Connections 69

American Electric Power (AEP) 54

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) 4,558

HEAP Summer Crisis Cooling Program 946

HEAP Winter Crisis Heating Program 2,239

PIPP Plus Applications 5,357

"JFS and Viola Startzman were trying to help me with transportation to a

medical appointment out of county. One call to Community Action and the

staff there set everything up. It was cool to see the agencies helping each other

help me. "

- Transportation Program User

"Getting Ahead gave me confidence in my own abilities. Using the skills I

learned in class enabled me to be recognized for a promotion. "

- Getting Ahead Graduate

Our Partners at Wayne Co. Habitat for Humanity Built CAW/M a Garage

Economic Assistance Programs

Units of Service by Program

Transportation Assistance 26,604

Car Repairs 37

Free Tax Preparation Services - $refunds 625 - $575,046.00 in Refunds

Emergency food & Utility Payment Services at CAW/M Rittman Food Pantry

489

Prescription Drugs Assistance 9

Seeds & Plants Program 142

Getting Ahead Self-Sufficiency Program 39

Total Financial Savings Opportunities Accessed By Low-Income Residents in 2017

41,272

CHILD & FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START

Through Head Start programs, learning experiences are offered that holistically

support the well-being of prenatal to five-year-old children, encompassing physical,

cognitive, social, and emotional health for the whole family. Head Start promotes

language and literacy development, early math and science concepts, and positive

attitudes toward learning. Staff support learning through play, creative expression,

and guided activities. The home cultures and languages of families are incorporated

into children’s learning.

CAW/M works with families to help them identify and reach their goals around

employment, training, parenting, and stable housing.

When children enroll in Head Start, they receive medical, dental, hearing, vision, and

behavioral screening, with referrals when necessary for follow-up visits to the child’s

doctor or to community partners. Families are assisted in accessing medical homes for

their children. Children engage in self-care routines as they are able, such as brushing

their teeth and toileting. In Head Start, children grow in their ability to experience,

regulate, and express emotions. Nutrition is emphasized through education to both

children and their parents.

Head Start staff includes a mental health therapist, nutritionist and registered nurse

that support families in addressing mental health challenges, reducing obesity and

learning healthy living practices.

With a minimum of 10% of Head Start enrollment set aside for children with disabilities, emphasis on development growth includes partnership with Help Me Grow and Preschool Special Education programs.

Advancing early childhood development and education has both short- and long-term benefits. In the immediate term, programs have been shown to increase earnings and employment for parents. In the long-term, payoffs materialize over time resulting in increased earnings and employment, improved health, reduced spending on anti-

poverty programs, and reduced crime — generating economic returns of more than $8 for every $1 spent. In 2017, 112 Head Start parents secured employment. CAW/M promotes the parents as the primary educators of their children by providing them with tools to enhance that role from pregnancy to the child’s kindergarten year and beyond. Parents are promoted as their child’s first teacher and nurturer. CAW/M supports families in this role by offering Conscious Discipline for Parents Curriculum meetings. Conscious Discipline for Parents educates parents on effective parenting techniques that include: choices, assertiveness, composure, encouragement and positive intent. CAW/M implemented the curriculum in September of 2017 and 31 parents actively participate. Also last year, 2,243 opportunities were given to parents to learn about Conscious Discipline through handouts, home visits and one-on-one education.

Parents also have the opportunity to be involved in Head Start’s planning and decision making processes through the Policy Council and center Parent Committee meetings. In the 2016-17 schoolyear, parents have provided 216 hours of Policy Council time, 60,872 hours of volunteer time, 13,431 hours were completed by Family Visitors doing home visits and socializations with families and an average of 1,303 instructional hours per child in our center based programs.

Our Family Home Visitors Get Creative Orrville’s Head Start Site Expanded to Two Classrooms and a New Home at Orrville Y CAW/M has established School Readiness Goals, and uses The Creative Curriculum®, Growing Great Kids, The Teen Pregnancy Curriculum, Learning Games®, A Partnership for a Healthy Baby Curriculum®, and Conscious Discipline® to achieve those goals. TS Gold®, HOVRS, and CLASS™, all assessment tools, determine the quality of instruction

in the classroom and home environment. The TS Gold® covers federal and state education standards with an emphasis on preparing children for lifelong learning and meeting the expectations for public school entry. The TS Gold® is completed using parent input, screening results, and on-going observations.

Our Generous Community Helps Us &

Our Kids Are Thankful

In addition, eight out of eight centers are five star Step up to Quality rated (the highest rating possible). The Step Up to Quality rating system is implemented by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. A Star rating indicates a program that exceeds the minimum standards of care for children.

In working with community partners, Head Start students in Medina County receive Weekender Bags from Feeding Medina County each week, supplementing family nutrition where food insecurity impacts so many. CAW/M has partnered with New Beginnings in West Salem to provide weekender food bags for children enrolled at the West Salem Head Start location.

CAW/M’s Car Seat Program provides no-cost child passenger safety seats and education for eligible parents, hands on demonstrations and child passenger safety seat check-ups by a Certified Safety Seat Technician - In 2017 – 126 trained - 176 Car Seats Provided

Preschool and Early Head Start Programs are supported by Federal Head Start funds, Step Up To Quality funds, Child and Adult Food Care Program and local funding through in-kind service all combined for comprehensive early childhood services.

Children & Families Served Head Start 455

Early Head Start 261

EHS Pregnant Women 30

Total 746

Average Monthly Enrollment

Head Start 98.7%

Early Head Start 99.8%

Total 99.25% Program Options

Head Start Full Day 119

Head Start Part Day 230

Head Start Home Base 24

Early Head Start Home Base

165

Growing Great Kids (GGK) is new this year and is used in the home-based program as well as socializations. GGK is a research-based curriculum that promotes parenting and child development goals. It uses a conversation guide style curriculum that includes strengths-based and skill driven strategies to promote the parent’s role as their child’s “developmental specialist”.

HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START

Percentage of Income-Eligible* Children Served

*Income-eligible families living within the two-county area.

Percentage of Enrolled Children Percentage of Enrolled Children

Who Received Medical Exams Who Received Dental Exams/ Screenings Head Start 100% Head Start 85%

Early Head Start 84% Early Head Start 80%

Average 92% Average 82.5%

Head Start 46.5%

Early Head Start 17.7%

Head Start School Readiness Data

The information below is CAW/M’s child school readiness outcome results. The graphs show

the percentage of children meeting age expected school readiness goals based on the formal

observation tool Teaching Strategies Gold® (TS Gold® online). The TS Gold® online covers

federal and state education standards with an emphasis on preparing children for lifelong

learning and meeting the expectations for public school entry. The TS Gold® online is

completed using parent input, screening results, and on-going observations.

70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95% 100%

Social/emotional

Large muscles

Small muscles

Language

Thinking skills

Literacy

All ChildrenWinter and Spring Checkpoint

2017-18

Summer Spring Winter

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Social/emotional

Large muscles

Small muscles

Language

Thinking skills

Literacy

Children Entering Kindergarten 2018Winter and Spring Checkpoint

2017-18

Summer Spring Winter

FINANCIAL ACTIVITY

Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017

Support and Revenue

Grants and contracts 7,867,826

Other income 212,853

Support in kind and donations 2,180,308

Total Support and Revenue 10,260,987

Expenses

Program services:

Wages 2,927,216

Fringe Benefits 1,170,458

Contracts and Consultants 56,137

In Kind 2,138,272

Travel and Training 180,376

Occupancy 548,881

Supplies 309,907

Telephone 88,918

Equipment/Vehicles 174,472

Staff Related 16,655

Miscellaneous 65,669

Direct Program services 1,488,964

Insurance 24,488

Total Program Service Expenses 9,190,413

Supporting Services:

Management and General 958,276

Total Operating Expenses 10,148,689

Change in Net Assets 111,298

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 1,423,428

Net Assets, End of Year 1,534,726

Financial Audit of 2017 will begin in summer of 2018.

Most recent financial audit results – 2016 – no findings.

REVENUE SOURCES FOR 2017 Child & Adult Care Food Program – CACFP: $190,984 Community Development Block Grant – CDBG: $13,384 Community Services Block Grant – CSBG: $298,910 Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program – Winter: $567,176 Emergency Home energy Assistance Program – Summer: $86,510 Federal Head Start: $5,255,086 Home Weatherization Assistance Program: $623,132 Housing Trust Fund: $74,993 Home Energy Assistance Program – HEAP Admin.: $299,987 Job & Family Services – Child Care Subsidy: $83,064 Non-Federal Match (In-Kind): $2,138,272 Program Income: $205,155 Other Income (Misc. Income, Small Grants & Contracts, Interest): $76,388 Second Harvest Food Bank: $6,500 City of Wooster: $86,381 Ohio Dept. of Transportation: $45,391 United Way-Wayne/Holmes: $13,784 Utility Programs: $153,854 Donations: $42,036

2018 HEAD START BUDGET

Proposed agency budget for 2018, supporting 160+ staff, includes the Head Start funding as follows:

Per the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, below is generally how CAW/M plans to use its Head Start grant funding of $6,077,109 for 2018, which includes CACFP and JFS child Care subsidy:

Personnel costs (include wages and fringe benefits) - $4,009,074

Non personnel costs (include but are not limited to): Contracts & Consultants - $19,040 Travel & Training - $145,155 Occupancy - $383,652 Supplies - $150,345 Telephone and Computer Service - $66,482 Equipment/Vehicle - $74,236 Liability Insurance - $18,382 Staff related - $23,810 Client Services - $236,477 Miscellaneous - $26,654 Admin/Indirect - $923,802

THANKS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cliff Bellar – Chair Medina Co. Commissioners’ Rep.

Eric Miller– Vice-Chair Wayne Metropolitan Housing

Mattie Jones – Secretary Mayor of Brunswick Representative

Rex Gasser – Treasurer Wayne County Trustees & Clerks Assn. Rep

Atty. John Brooks Cameron Tom Marting John Brooks Cameron & Assc. GOJO Industries, Inc. Dr. Heather Fitz Gibbon Michelle Powell College of Wooster Let’s Make a Difference Rhiannon Hailey Rebecca Rak CAW/M Head Start Policy Council Lodi Mayor Representative Jennifer Kearns Skip Sipos Wayne Co. Commissioners’ Rep Medina Metro Housing Authority Todd Jasin Amber Springer Wayne County Housing Coalition CAW/M Head Start Policy Council Debra McDonald Greg Thomas Early Childhood Education Expertise Authority Leadership Medina County Tim Monea Carolyn Zielinski Mayor of Wooster Representative Key Community Development Bank

HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL

Tiffany Adams Dana Jacak

Rene Antonio Bethany Joyal

Grace Blankenship Kelli Sanders

Brandi Brown Amber Springer

Rhiannon Hailey Rene Swank-Bush

Steffanie Hardin Heather Vojtush

Karie Hershberger