Minnesota Valley Action Council Inc

Head start - 499 low-income children participated in quality preschool. Hearing and vision screenings were provided to 280 children. 247 children received dental exams, some for the very first time. Provided 134 pregnant women, infants and toddles with quality home visiting services. 537 volunteers contributed their time to enhance the service provided to families.

Housing - minnesota housing finance agency (mhfa) money is available to make energy-saving and general home improvements for homeowners of all income levels. Mhfa subsidizes loans to encourage homeowners to make home improvements to help maintain the image of clean, well-run rural communities. Loan programs include fix-up loan, community fix-up rehabilitation loan, and rental rehabilitation loan programs. We assisted 51 people to secure low interest loans so they could make needed improvements to their homes. Mhfa also provides funding for homeless prevention to help households from either becoming homeless because of an eviction, or if they are currently homeless, (by hud's definition) get them into permanent housing. Facilitated 9 homelessness response teams. Assisted 254 households with services that prevented them from joining the ranks of homeless statistics. Weatherization assistance - this program is available to both low-income homeowners and renters in the nine-county area. It is designed to provide energy conservation service such as furnace modifications, caulking, weatherstripping, attic insulation, repair of primary windows, storm windows, minor foundation repairs and insulation, hot water heater and pipe insulation and furnace maintenance. The primary purpose of the program is to prevent heat loss in the home and thus reduce energy consumption for low-income households. Served were 229 households and replaced or repaired 203 faulty furnaces. Low-income housing assistance - under the hud section 8 voucher choice program rent subsidy payments are provided for qualified low-income families and elderly, disabled or handicapped persons renting from private landlords. The participants pay up to 30% of their income towards rent and utilities and the balance is paid directly to the landlord through hud funding. Approximately 355 households were served. Community development block grant - this program provides funds for housing rehabilitation with deferred loan repayment over an extended period of time. Currently, mvac operates the cdbg program in the cities of mankato, fairmont, mapleton, trimont, waterville, amboy, belle plaine and dakota county served were over 20 households or commercial buildings.

Employment and training - 339 adults gained employment with our workforce development training and assistance. Provided training to 27 individuals who lost their jobs due to business/plant closing or downsizing. 235 at-risk teenagers had the opportunity to learn and earn through paid work experience, planning for careers and achieving success in their education and training. Provided services through minnesota family investment program (mfip) in the counties of lesueur, nicollet, brown, sibley, and waseca. These services are designed to decrease long-term welfare dependency. Served were approximately 585 individuals. Supplemental nutrition assistance program (snap) - employment and training - participants take steps to improve skills that can lead to a career and financial independence. Approximately 138 households were served.

Other programs - car donation program provides vehicles to struggling low-wage workers so they can maintain jobs and care fortheir families. Approximately 30 families were assisted. Mvac fielded more than 3,000 inquiries for car information and assistance. 11 individualsparticipated in the new-lease car program. Our vita tax site completed 2,154 tax returns resulting in $1,511,000 tax refunds or credits for low income individuals. Through the faim initiative (family assets for independence in mn) mvac provided 22 people with the opportunity to save earned income with the goal of obtaining a grant to quadruple their savings in 2024. Funds are used for a specific asset: 10 participants' goal is purchase of a used vehicle, seven have purchased or will purchase their first home, two are attending post-secondary training, and two are starting or improving a small business. All participants also learn the basics of personal finance and budgeting. Assisted 87,233 callers and10,773 visits to our offices.