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Community Services Block Grant Program Fiscal Year 2015 -16 Application for Funding Planning Process Narrative 1. Explain in detail how each of the following was invoived in the planning and development of this strategic plan. a. Low - Income Community: The Poor: Law income persons are seated on the SRCAA, Inc. Board of Directors to ensure broad community participation and involvement. The Head Start Policy Council Advisory is made up of low- income person who meet once per month to review programs and to address meeting the needs of the low- income community. Members from that Council are represented on the Board. A community assessment was completed in the Spring /Summer of 2013. Low income residents were surveyed in both counties and their feedback (results of the survey) on community needs were integrated in'the report. Those results were used to inform the work of the Board at their annual retreat in the fall of 2014. Representatives of the Poor on the Board advocate for the needs of the participants at varying levels. Participants themselves are free to express their concerns with staff and the program director. They are surveyed during workshops facilitated to improve their skills and knowledge about the services provided to them. Integrating a culture of excellence will require that poverty reducing strategies are planned and implemented and measured at each level of the organization. b. Agency Staff: Staff is encouraged to participate in partnerships and collaborations with Community Partners and task forces designed to meet the needs of mutually served participants. These monthly partnerships offer forums for input and sharing to address the cause, concerns, and resources in low- income communities where staff work. Staff as well as partners serving the same populations were surveyed during the community assessment process and participated in focus groups. Staff and partner feedback was considered in the development and revisions of the strategic plan and the management of service delivery at SRCAA in 2013 as part of the strategic plan's Collaboration Project. The Collaboration Project was aimed at identifying overlap in the service delivery as well as procedures and processes used by various departments. In FY 2013 -2014 steps have been taken to cross train the staff as part of the ongoing collaboration effort between programs to meet the needs of low- income families in Family Services. The inclusion of these two staff in the process is moving the agency toward a more seamless service delivery system. , Two other staff, the CSBG Program Director and the Education Coordinator, was asked in 2014 to work with the local Community College to determine if an Adult GED program was feasible for SRCAA. This item, identified in the strategic plan was explored and after several months of talks and negotiations with the Rowan Cabarrus Community College, a new class for adults is eminent. Since space is limited at SRCAA another local partner, Miller Recreation Center will probably be the host site for an Adult GED program. This is an important step in meeting the needs of not just SRCAA families but those in the community as well. The GED/HS diploma is a critical component in achieving self - sufficiency. c. Agency's Board Members: The SRCAA, Inc. Board of Directors whose members volunteer on the Planning and Evaluation committee, in conjunction with the Executive Director, reviews all phases of the planning process and makes recommendations to the full Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for identifying the needs of low income people. Fiscal Year 2015 -15 Community Services Block Grant Application Page 6 of 44 Attachment number 1 F -13 Page 179