The Clark County Community Action Program is a key provider for emergency needs, and basic and essential services. The Community Action Program receives money from federal, state and local funding sources.
The Community Action Program coordinates the planning and administration of a variety of funds and programs including: the Human Services Fund (a Clark County/City of Vancouver coordinated fund), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Emergency Food and Shelter program (EFSP),Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) and Emergency Shelter/Housing Assistance Program (ESAP).
These funds and programs provide emergency assistance and help to support the self-sufficiency of low-income people such as: emergency shelter, energy assistance, homelessness prevention through rent/mortgage assistance and case management, child care, health and dental care, access to services, and family services. Fund allocation is determined by planning groups such as the Community Action Advisory Board and local service providers.
The Community Action Program allocates over a million dollars per year to community agencies to provide services to homeless and low-income people in Clark County. However, the demand for services far exceeds the available funding. The energy assistance program serves only 15% of the people who need assistance. 50% of people seeking emergency shelter are turned away. The Community Action Program continually works with the community to help prioritize and alleviate these problems.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Evans, Program Coordinator
Main phone: (360) 397-2130
E-mail: karen.evans@clark.wa.gov
