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Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency,Inc. 3. Describe activities that your agency has undertaken to advocate for and empower low-income individuals and families to achieve economic independence and security. Beginning in May 2012,SRCAA made a conscientious choice to shift the approach used with families from a deficit-based model to one of empowerment and strengths. This model called "Family Development",requires the entire network to think of ways to empower families to achieve their own goals and to improve the internal systems of service delivery. The model teaches workers to partner with families and help them set proper goals and activities for themselves so they can become self-sufficient, In addition, SRCAA staff is credentialed as Global Career Development Facilitators.As Global Career Development Facilitators(GCDF),staff is trained to assist individuals with informed decisions when considering their individual career development through the utilization of best practices, a variety of personality, interest and employment assessment tools,and career development models, The last few years in North Carolina and in the United States have left many families in the lower socio-economic strata to be faced with more challenges to their economic independence and their present and future security. So by empowering families and teaching self-advocacy,families have the ability to identify,and reach attainable goals. Other strategies involve, inviting families to participate in volunteer activities and to represent the agency at community forums,as well as other agency events, to tell their story and to be proud to share their accomplishments when asked. Success stories are being published regularly in the agency's electronic newsletter and Family Services'participants who have risen above poverty or achieved several program successes,represent the program at the Annual Board meeting. SRCAA also provides various educational and professional development sessions/workshops,as well as other training mechanisms to empower low-income families and individuals. The overall goal of SRCAA is to assist low-income individuals to gain a sense of ownership and a stake in their community while strengthening their families.The agency will continue to be an active member of state and national associations that advocate on behalf of low-income families to eradicate poverty. 4. Describe how your agency plans to make more effective use of,coordinate and form partnerships with other organizations and programs including:State welfare reform efforts;public and private resources;religious organizations,charitable groups, and community organizations. SRCAA staff, program managers and the Executive Director participate on relevant Boards, Committees and planning entities in both Rowan and Cabarrus Counties such as the NC Workforce Development Board,and sponsored managers and partners meetings which include Department of Social Services' managers,the Salisbury and East Spencer Housing Authority partner meetings,Goodwill Industries'Business Advisory Board, Goodwill Industries'and Wal-Mart sponsored Operation Good Jobs partner meetings,the Project Re-Entry, and Project Safe partners u meetings,and the Rowan and Cabarrus county regional housing committees, Our agency will continue to increase our visibility and our impact by forming new partnerships with organizations and continuing to host community forums. Additionally, SRCAA has committed to work in partnership with the Veterans Administrations(VA) Medical Center in an effort to assist veterans referred through the Compensated Work Therapy Fiscal Year 2017-18 Community Services Block Grant Application Attachment number 2\n Page 12 of 37 F-9 Page 115