Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership Inc

The head start division offers comprehensive early childhood services to children ages birth-5 and families with limited income and for children with special needs that reside within clay and wilkin counties. In the 2023-2024 school year, caplp provided services to 233 children with 136 children through the head start program (3-5 years old) and 97 children through the early head start program (birth-3 years old). These children received high-quality early childhood education experiences at no cost including family support, health and nutrition support incorporated into the program. In 2024 we also partnered with the great plains food bank to provide kitchen coalition meals to head start families and with moorhead family healthcare to provide dental days for head start children.

The housing division helps individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless to secure safe, affordable housing through an array of housing programs. In 2024, caplp assisted 1,462 people in securing or maintaining safe, affordable housing through our housing programs, including preventing 303 people from falling into homelessness. We also provided street outreach within our community to people experiencing homelessness reaching an average of 35 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness each month and provided supportive housing services to an average of 134 household each month. Our team works closely with those individuals with lived experience in developing and improving services through our consumer advisory board and most recently our youth advisory board.

The economic empowerment division supports individuals and families in their goals of achieving financial stability and independence for families, individuals and seniors across our community. Our services include assistance with employment, nutritional, medical and economic security. All programs work together to provide holistic support to families. In 2024 the economic empowerment division provided free tax assistance to 850 individuals, assisted 229 people in obtaining health insurance coverage, provided homeownership services to 26 households, assisted 350 people with coaching services to address their barriers and achieve their goals, provided transportation to 270 people, assisted over 150 seniors to access healthy nutritious food, and helped 36 people secure employment in a career that provides a living-wage. Our programs and services were highlighted at both statewide and national conferences in 2024.