Community Action Agencies Providing Services for Residents in Need Across CT

The coronavirus pandemic has created challenges for people in virtually every walk of life and every demographic, but none have been impacted more than those already living in society’s margins.  The depth and breadth of the need in Connecticut is reflected in the recently released annual report of the Connecticut Association For Community Action (CAFCA), which details the work of local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the state.

CAFCA helps CAAs maximize their impact through training and technical assistance, grant administration, partnership building, and advocacy for public policies that support the needs of low- and moderate-income people.  Over 250,000 people from across Connecticut received assistance from their local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) during 2019, including more than 105,000 families. They received assistance with immediate needs like food, heat, and child care, as well as with longer term needs and goals, such as job training, sustainable housing, and asset development, according to CAFCA.

"Connecticut's Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are an essential part of Connecticut's response to the COVID-19 crisis, providing services like Meals on Wheels, energy assistance, case management, and more,” Executive Director Deb Polun told CT by the Numbers.  “Additional funding may be needed to help meet increased needs, including for homebound older adults and people experiencing crises due to underemployment and unemployment. CAAs will continue to partner with federal, state, and local agencies, hospitals and other community partners, to assess and meet the needs of people across Connecticut.

Approximately 17,000 people received emergency or supplemental food, and nearly 11,000 older adults participated in home delivered or congregate meal programs across the state during 2019.  More than 1,600 people who were experiencing homelessness were able to obtain safe, temporary shelter, and 600 households avoided eviction with assistance from their local CAA. During the past year, nearly 6,000 children were enrolled in early childhood services, more than 4,400 individuals made use of job search services including job coaching, resume development and interview skills training, and nearly 11,000 utilized free volunteer income tax preparation assistance in order to file their tax returns last year. 

“Connecticut’s CAAs removed obstacles and created opportunities for 259,512 people — children, teens, adults, single parents, and older adults — providing them with the tools and resources they needed to thrive,” Polun and Board Chair Deb Monahan pointed out in a recent op-ed.  “CAAs help people reach their full potential, allowing everyone to contribute fully to their communities.”  They added that “this would not have been possible without the 296,293 volunteer hours donated to Connecticut’s Community Action Agencies.’

CAAs serve every city and town in Connecticut, providing a wide array of resources and supports to help people improve their financial, economic, and social well-being.  Using a holistic approach, Community Action Agencies (CAAs) address the immediate, short-term, and long-term needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and families, to help them achieve and maintain economic self-sufficiency.

During the year, more than 81,000 households avoided a crisis because of energy assistance that was provided, and 2,000 homes were weatherized to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.  In addition, more than 2,500 parents or caregivers received parenting skills training to strengthen their families and more than 1,500 received assistance enrolling in health insurance, allowing them to access much-needed health care services. 

“At the Department of Social Services, we are proud of our decades-long partnership with the Connecticut Association for Community Action and its member agencies across the state,” said Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford, MD, MPH.  “In many ways, Community Action Agencies are on the front line of delivering vital services to residents of all ages, from early childhood education and employment & training to energy assistance and senior support services.”

Community Action Agencies work with individuals & families on comprehensive intake & assessment; DSS pre-application assistance; direct services; referral to services; case management; and tracking & outcome reporting.

The CAAs include: The Access Community Action Agency (Willimantic), Action for Bridgeport Community Development (Bridgeport), Community Action Agency of New Haven, Community Action Agency of Western CT (Danbury), Community Renewal Team (Hartford), Human Resources Agency of New Britain, New Opportunities (Waterbury), Thames Valley Council for Community Action (Jewett City) and TEAM Inc. (Derby).