TDHCA Press Room

 

Click on the picture above to learn more about CACOST and its programs

Spotlighting Community Action: TDHCA and CACOST

TDHCA works hand-in-hand with community action groups and agencies to help improve living and health conditions for some of Texas’ poorest residents, believing that if the agencies aren’t successful, TDHCA isn’t successful.

“Success is about attacking the causes of poverty, serving clients and being compliant,” explained Michael DeYoung, TDHCA director of community affairs. “We’re seeing results and accomplishments with the Community Action Corporation of South Texas, whose staff embraces the challenges of their community and designs solutions for long-term sustainability.”

In Alice, TDHCA-administered funds support Community Action Corporation of South Texas’ (CACOST) efforts to combat teen pregnancy, health challenges, and homelessness within a 16-county area.

“The Community Services Block Grant money is what makes us a community action agency, and helps us build deep and meaningful relationships within our communities,” explained Ann Awalt, CACOST executive director. “Those funds serve as a springboard for getting other funding support to help identify and address our local challenges and needs.”

Federal funding, provided through TDHCA, has helped Awalt jumpstart programs such as their Teen Outreach Program, Senior Nutrition Program, Early Head Start programs, and Federally Qualified Health Centers. As the agency identifies community needs it is charged by CSBG guidelines to expand its resource base to address the challenges. Awalt described each program as working in tandem and providing a safety net for their residents and families.

“Community action is always a well-kept secret,” she added. “People don’t know all the services our agency has to offer, but we’re able to respond to evolving community needs because we’re responding through a multi-dimensional approach that makes a big impact overall.”

For example, she explained one family visited the School-Based Health Center for medical treatment for a child. The physician assistant discovered the family was living in a car, paid for two nights in a local motel and also referred the family to the agency’s CSBG case manager. After conducting an assessment and in-take, the CSBG case manger was able to locate affordable housing for the family and assist with emergency food and school clothes for the children. The family also received tires for their vehicle to help the parents obtain employment, and one child was enrolled in the Head Start Program. Their immediate needs were met, and now the family has the resources and the continuing community support to work toward reaching other goals.

In 2016, TDHCA provided $282,500 in Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to CACOST. CSBG funds are a portion of CACOST total budget of more than $40 million.