May 2009
STRETCH YOUR FOOD DOLLARS
CAP Agency begins Food Support Outreach Program

People already on Food Support have seen an extra amount starting in April to their monthly food allotment. As part of the Economic Stimulus Bill Congress passed and President Obama signed into law, Minnesotans can expect to receive an extra “bump” in their Food Support benefits. This will provide some needed relief for those already suffering with perhaps the loss of income and the steady rising prices of food at the grocery stores.

The new name for the Food Support Program nationally is: SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is administered by The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Their latest fact sheet includes these facts:

DID YOU KNOW…

• Current clients do not need to fill out any extra paperwork as a result of the Program name change.
• Nutrition education is available to help clients learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.
• Children automatically qualify for free school breakfast and lunch when they receive SNAP benefits. Some participants many qualify for WIC benefits.
• EBT cards, which are similar to debit cards, can be used in approximately 171,000 authorized retail stores nationwide.

SNAP is good for communities. Every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates nearly twice as much ($9.20) in total community spending. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) 15 nutrition assistance programs touch the lives of one in five Americans each year and work in concert to form a national safety net against hunger. Its largest program, SNAP, serves more than 28 million low-income individuals each month. This is approximately one out of every 10 Americans! The new name reflects the mission to provide food assistance and increase nutrition for the health and well being of low income people.

The following information from the MNDHS has been posted in all of the CAP offices:
CHANGES IN MINNESOTA FOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM RULES Effective January 1, 2009:

You may be eligible to get Food Support for the next twelve months if you received Food Support in the past and were told:
You were only eligible to get Food Support for three months
Or
You are not longer eligible for Food Support because you used your three months
The 2009 changes may provide continued monthly benefits now. Even if you previously applied for Food Support and were denied benefits or you have only used a portion of the three months. It is very important to call your local Human Service Agency and re-apply NOW!!!”

Monthly income guidelines for Food Support
These guidelines are adjusted every October

	Gross income, before taxes	Net income, after expenses
# of people	under age 60	age 60+ & disabled
1	$1,127	$867
2	$1,517	$1,167
3	$1,907	$1,467
4	$2,297	$1,767
5	$2,687	$2,067

Assets can not exceed $7,000 per household. Assets do NOT include cars, houses or IRA’s. Households that qualify for Food Support also qualify for Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) which is a discount on the monthly telephone bill of an average of $10.00 per month.

If you have clients who may qualify, have them call Terry Hassan at CAP Agency, 952-402-9835 or via email. Internal trainings have been done with Family Service Coordinators, FAIM, WIC, Senior Nutrition, CCR&R, and Food Shelf intake. Clients can get an application and if needed, assistance in completing. FSO serves Scott, Carver, and Dakota Counties and is funded by the MN Dept. of Human Services)

May 2009
CAP AGENCY HEAD START PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The CAP Agency Head Start program is recruiting children for the 2009-2010 program year. Head Start is a comprehensive child and family development program which provides services in the areas of education, health, nutrition, parent involvement and social services. Parents work together with Head Start teachers and staff to plan activities that focus on all areas of family and child development. Head Start offers opportunities for parents to provide leadership and help make policy decisions for the program.

Preschool children ages 3 to 5 years from low-income families are eligible for Head Start. There is no cost. Head Start also welcomes children with specials needs. A limited number of slots are also available for 0-3 Early Head Start in Dakota County.

In 1965, the CAP Agency began its Head Start program with 45 children. Forty years later the CAP Agency now operates 15 Head Start centers throughout Scott, Carver and Dakota counties and has the capacity to enroll 460 children. Scott County children attend centers in Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Savage. Dakota County children attend centers in Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, So. St. Paul, and Savage.

For more information about CAP Agency Head Start or to request an application, go to Head Start on this website or call CAP Agency Head Start application request line at 952-402-9894 (Scott/Carver) or 651-322-3832 (Dakota County).

April 2009
CAP AGENCY RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS

We at the CAP Agency are continually amazed and gratified by the generosity of our communities and their support for the work that we do.

During the month of April we recognized 1,509 volunteers who worked over 43, 000 hours to help provide all of the programs and services offered by the CAP Agency. We salute these dedicated volunteers who deliver home-delivered meals, provide Chore services for seniors, and assist them in understanding their health insurance bills. Volunteers work in the Food Shelf, Thrift Shop as well as the Crisis Nursery program and other agency programs. The Board of Directors and all of our advisory committees are volunteers. Each and every one of them has helped to smooth the way for those who are less fortunate and we are grateful for their contributions.

The residents of Scott and Carver counties know that hunger is an every day event for many of our neighbors. They contributed 51,444 pounds of food and $58,000 during the recent MN Food Share drive. In addition, Scouting for Food and the Postal Workers food drives were very successful. This food will help provide a week’s worth of groceries to approximately 50 Carver and Scott families each day at the CAP Agency Food Shelf.

The CAP Agency 2007-2008 Annual Report, recognizing all of our contributors, is now available on our website. Anyone wishing to receive a copy of the Annual Report may call 952-496-2125 or e-mail info@capagency.org to request a copy.

Thank you to all of our volunteers and supporters. We can’t do this work without you!

February 2009
Candidates Needed for Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency’s Board of Directors

The CAP Agency Board of Directors is looking for candidates to fill the following seats on its Board.

Private Sector: representative of business, industry, labor, agricultural, religious, social services, low-income, welfare, or education organizations or other major groups or interests in the community selected in accordance with laws. Private sector representatives are appointed by the board.

Group to Be Served: representatives of the low-income democratically selected in accordance with Board by-laws. Each must reside in the county she/he is elected to represent. Individuals need not be low-income themselves to qualify to represent low-income.

No person may hold a seat on the Board of Directors if he/she is a relative of, or an employee of Scott-Carver-Dakota CAP Agency, Inc. No person employed by the Agency in the preceding twelve (12) months, may hold a seat on the Board of Directors.

Eligible candidates must live in the county they represent and should have an interest in representing the concerns of persons who use or are likely to use CAP Agency program services.

There are no income eligibility requirements for this position. If appointed to the Board, low-income members will be reimbursed for mileage and childcare. Minorities are encouraged to apply.

Persons interested in being considered to fill the positions on the CAP Agency Board of Directors, Community groups wishing to have representation on the Board or private individuals who wish to represent the private sector should send a letter of interest to: CAP Agency, Mary Sullivan, Executive Director, 2496 145th Street West, Rosemount, MN 55068.

September 2008
MINNESOTA COLD WEATHER RULE

Some residents find it hard to pay their utility bills in the winter. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission set up the Cold Weather Rule to protect residential customers from being shut off if they cannot pay their bills in full. This protection lasts from October 15 to April 15.

You may qualify for this protection if you meet both of the following conditions:

1. The shut-off would affect your main heating source, and
2. You qualify for an Inability to Pay Plan, OR qualify for a Ten Percent Plan, OR both you and the utility agree to a payment schedule.

If your service has already been shut off as of October 15, the Cold Weather Rule offers a Reconnection Plan which may let you have your service turned back on.

The Cold Weather Rule does not totally forbid winter shut off. IF you receive a shut off notice this winter, you must act promptly. Contact your utility company immediately.

You may be eligible for assistance through the CAP Agency’s Energy Assistance Program. Call CAP Agency at 952-402-9895 or visit the website here to receive an Energy Assistance application.

January 2008
CAP Agency Dialogue on Poverty Executive Summary

Throughout the months September through December 2007 the CAP Agency invited the public to join in a “Conversation with CAP” to explore poverty concerns, discuss community solutions, and explore opportunities for action.

Participants had an opportunity to talk about their experiences with poverty and how they believe poverty affects their community. The discussion revolved around defining outcomes participants want in regard to poverty and related problems over the next few years.

Community members who were not able to attend the discussions had the opportunity to take a survey responding to the same issues. Surveys were available on-line and in paper versions. Responses were solicited via direct contact, e-mails, and public announcements.

These three methods provided a cross-section of approximately 300 respondents, which included professionals in the human service area, CAP current and past clients, government staff, CAP volunteers, CAP staff, senior citizens, advisory board members, and other residents of Scott, Carver, and Dakota counties.

To summarize these findings, participants were asked to rank their top three desired outcomes. The results were the same throughout Scott, Carver and Dakota counties:

1st Priority - Housing and Basic Needs
Increased percentage of citizens who have their basic needs met (adequate clothing, food, and shelter)

2nd Priority - Health
Increased percentage of citizens who have adequate health insurance coverage

3rd Priority - Income and Work
Increased numbers of full-time jobs with wages adequate to support the individual and offering health insurance and other benefits

The Scott Carver Dakota CAP Agency, Inc. announces that it has been awarded the Charities Review Council “Meets All Standards” Seal indicating that it meets all sixteen of its Accountability Standards.

Nonprofit organizations such as the CAP Agency earn the Seal by voluntarily participating in the Council’s online Accountability Wizard. The Accountability Wizard is available to all nonprofit organizations soliciting in Minnesota and addresses a nonprofit organization’s performance in four critical areas: Public Disclosure, Governance, Financial Activity and Fundraising. By participating in the Accountability Wizard, nonprofit organizations can demonstrate responsibility, integrity and transparency to their constituents.

The CAP Agency is now listed as a reviewed organization on the online Giving Guide of the Council’s Smart Givers Network, www.SmartGivers.org and the Council’s Smart Giver newsletter distributed to more than 18,000 subscribers in Minnesota. The listing help a non-profit organization demonstrate its commitment to accountable ethical practices to the public and that it is a trustworthy organization. The Council’s Smart Giver Network is the sources of unbiased information where smart givers come for help and resources on responsible giving. The giving public can investigate an organization’s mission statement and programs, so they can be sure of what their money supports and determine whether it meets widely accepted standards.

The CAP Agency is a private, non-profit organization serving families and individuals of all ages living in Scott, Carver, and Dakota counties. Service areas include early childhood and nutrition education, food and clothing assistance, transitional housing, crisis nursery, transportation, energy assistance, congregate dining, and home-delivered meals. For more information contact the CAP Agency at 952-496-2125 (Shakopee office) or 651-322-3500 (Rosemount office) or visit the services pages on this website.