ACAP :. Associated Community Action Program

The Alameda County Associated Community Action Program (ACAP) is one of over 1,000 Community Action Agencies (CAA) across the United States providing assistance to low-income families and individuals to help them become stable and self-sufficient. ACAP's service area is greater Alameda County outside of Berkeley and Oakland.

ACAP was formerly part of the Alameda County Training and Employment Board-Associated Community Action Program (ACTEB/ACAP), which was founded in 1965 following the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. After the dissolution of ACTEB in 1974 due to changes in federal policy, ACAP has continued to serve the low-income residents of Alameda County for over 30 years.

ACAP is overseen by a Governing Board made up of public officials from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and each of the 12 cities within its jurisdiction. The ACAP organization also includes a Community Action Board (CAB), a three-part or tripartite board required under the Equal Opportunity Act of 1964, which advises the Governing Board of elected officials on all policy matters and funding decisions.

ACAP operates with the assistance of a variety of public and private funding sources to administer its various programs and services for the low-income population. The primary grant is the Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which is administered through the State Department of Community Services and Development.

Recovery Act Local Plan
Recovery Act Local Plan Form

What is a Community Action Agency?

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are non-profit private and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America's War on Poverty. CAAs help people to help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency. Today there are approximately 1,000 CAAs services the poor in every state as well as Puerto Rico and the Trust Territories.

CAAs are a primary source of direct support for the more than 34.5 million people who live in poverty in the United States. The majority of CAA program participants are extremely poor with incomes below 75% of the federal poverty threshold, or $9,735 for a family of three (the average family size for the client population). Some examples of initiatives started by CAAs include Headstart and Americorps/Vista.

The Community Action Network serves approximately:

• 11 million individuals per year
• 3.3 million families per year

CAAs serve all regions and populations:

• 54% of CAAs serve rural areas
• 36% of CAAs serve areas considered both urban and rural
• 10% of CAAs serve urban areas

Jobs and Housing

ACAP's programs reflect its commitment to providing essential services to those living in poverty in Alameda County. Every two (2) years, ACAP administrates a comprehensive Request for Proposals (RFP) process through which it selects a strong group of programs within its primary focus area of jobs and housing to provide assistance to low-income families and individuals throughout its service area.

The programs selected for 2007-2008 are:

• Building Futures for Women and Children
  Provides housing and supportive services to homeless and battered women.
  Contact: Susan Erb 510-357-0205 x129

• Deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency
  Provides counseling and employment-focused case management system to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
  Contact: Margie Cooper 510-483-0753

• Davis Street Family Resource Center
  Provides clients with case management services that lead to employment, the acquisition of safe affordable housing and the creation of a workable balanced family budget.
  Contact: Dawn Valadez 510-347-4620 x122

• Eden Information & Referral
  Provides a Housing Academy to assist clients at the College of Alameda One-Stop Career Center as a foundation.
  Contact: Pamala Glassoff 510-727-9506


• Family Emergency Shelter Coalition
  Provides emergency shelter, counseling, and employment-focused case management to homeless families with children.
  Contact: Cate Steane 510-886-5473


• Resources for Community Development
  Provides shelter, counseling and employment-focused case management to individuals with HIV/AIDS.
  Contact: Kanika Shelly 510-289-4053 or Chris Hess 510-841-4410 x33 or x16
  
  
• Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments
  Provides victims of domestic violence with employment preparation, financial literacy, housing search workshops, counseling, and legal assistance.
  Contact: Kate Hart 510-794-0346


• Tri-Valley Housing Opportunity Center
  Provides the low-income communities of the Tri-Valley area, with financial literacy, budget and credit counseling and educational services.
  Contact: Jorge Ramirez 925-373-3930

ASSET DEVELOPMENT
Economic Empowerment Initiative (EEI)

ACAP's scope of service also includes a powerful group of economic development programs known as the Economic Empowerment Initiative (EEI). These programs, which assist low-income and middle-income participants to realize their dreams of home or business ownership as well as job training/education, include:

Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). IDAs are unique incentive savings accounts that offer qualified participants $2 for every $1 they save. The IDA program is supported by federal Assets for Independence (AFI) funds. These accounts may be used in tandem with…

Individual Development and Empowerment Accounts (IDEA) offered by the Federal Home Loan Bank, these accounts offer $3 for every $1 saved and may be used to purchase a home.

Free Tax Preparation and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Claiming your Earned Income Tax Credit at tax time gives you up to $4,200 in cash to improve your life. We provide free tax preparation all year long and can even complete taxes from previous years. Get your taxes prepared now and use your refund to pay off old debts, purchase a car, or buy health insurance.

Credit repair and Financial Educational Seminars – Free seminars that help you understand what credit is and give you the tools you need to increase your credit score. The seminars also provide key information on how to manage your finances and increase the amount of money you have.

Free, one-on-one credit repair – When you need assistance in settling your credit issues, these private sessions are just the thing. Our goal is to assist you to increase your credit score by working with you for as long as it takes.

Homeownership training – Homeownership is the key to a secure future. We help you understand what homeownership entails and how to realize the American Dream of owning your own home.

Free bank accounts in partnership with Citibank – These bank accounts are offered to everyone, even those who have issues with ChexSystems! Obtaining an account means that you don’t have to use other financial systems like check cashing businesses that charge high fees. This means you keep more of your money in your pocket.

Other Income Assistance Programs:

LifeLine – LifeLine offers telephone service at a discounted price that allows everyone to have access to landline phone service. For as little as $2.84 per month, you can have phone service in your home, a must to make sure that communication is possible in times of emergency or in case of a natural disaster like an earthquake. Signing up is easy and only takes a few minutes.

PG&E CARE – The CARE program offers a 20% discount on energy services for those who qualify. The application process is easy.

Both of these programs help you keep more of your money for your other needs.

For more information about the EEI call ACAP at (510) 259-3819.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
ACAP serves youth in Alameda County by providing access to employment training and after school activities that enrich their lives and prepare them for the future. ACAP works together with local schools, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff’s Activities League (DSAL), the Hayward Area Recreation Department, the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board, and others to bring new and adventurous activities to Alameda County youth.

BETA (Bayfair Employment Training Academy) – This exciting employment training program is offered in partnership with the Bayfair Center Mall in San Leandro. Instruction is offered by ACAP staff as well as Pivotal Point Youth Services to give young folks in the Unincorporated Eden Area the tools they need to get and keep a job. BETA is funded in part by the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board.

For more information about BETA call (510) 481-0272

AC PAY (Alameda County Positive Alternatives for Youth) – Using a comprehensive approach that includes mental health services and parental training, AC PAY offers job training and employment as a path to lower gang violence. Funded by the Governor’s 15% Discretionary WIA Funds, this program operates in both the Eden and Tri-Cities areas of Alameda County.

For more information about AC PAY call (510) 259-3501

ACAP Youth Leadership Council – This youth leadership development program located in the Unincorporated Eden Area gives youth the opportunity to weigh in on important issues that impact their lives. The youth, ages 13-18, have offered events such a Valentine’s dance in partnership with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department and the Hayward Area Recreation Department, Halloween clean up, and Wii tournaments. Their crowning achievement has been to successfully lobby for a Youth Center in their community.

For more information about the ACAP Youth Leadership Council call (510) 259-3501

REENTRY SERVICES

ACAP RESCUE (Re Entry Service Center for Unemployed Ex-Offenders)
Returning to the community after being incarcerated can be a difficult undertaking. Having a record means no access to essential social services and that getting a job is much more difficult. ACAP RESCUE allows reentering individuals to access experts in the field of reentry to provide much needed support, access to critical services, and employment assistance.

For more information about ACAP RESCUE call (510) 670-5825

ALAMEDA COUNTY POVERTY RESOURCE NETWORK
ACAP is the convener of the Alameda County Poverty Resource Network. This coalition of public agencies and private non-profit organizations, local policymakers, and legislators concerned with issues of poverty provides the insight and action steps into the strategies necessary to mitigate poverty and its causes throughout Alameda County to improve the lives of Alameda County citizens.

For more information about the Alameda County Poverty Resource Network call (510) 259-3501.