2022 Annual Reprt

Dear Friends of East Missouri Action Agency,

I am delighted to present EMAA’s annual report for the year ending 2022. It gives me great pleasure to reflect upon our progress and achievements over the past twelve months. Despite the challenges we have faced, I am proud to say that we have navigated them with resilience and determination and have emerged stronger than ever

This report highlights the positive impact we have made in our communities. Throughout the years, we have actively engaged in various community initiatives, and contributed to the well-being of society. Additionally, you will read stories about the lives that have been changed through the efforts of EMAA as well as local resources.

As we look toward the future, we acknowledge there is still more work to be done. We remain steadfast in our commitment to helping people and changing lives I sincerely thank our board members, staff, and partners for your support and belief in our mission. You enable us to pursue our goals and help drive meaningful change in the lives that need it most

Sincerely,

Keri McCrorey

Keri McCrorey, CCAP Executive Director

OUR MISSION, VISION, & VALUES

Helping People, Changing Lives in the Southeast Missouri Counties of:

Bollinger, Cape, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Washington

Mission: East Missouri Action Agency cultivates communities of opportunity and supports people in reaching their highest potential.

Vision: Communities where everyone’s potential to thrive is unlimited by community conditions.

Values: At our natural best we are: Compassionate: We care and go above & beyond for our customers and each other.

Nonjudgemental: We treat all people with dignity and respect.

Resourceful: We work together and with our communities to create solutions.

Dedicated: We don‘t give up on people, communities, or each other.

Denis Moore - Board Chair

Greetings from the EMAA Board of Directors!

Welcome to the Annual Report of the East Missouri Action Agency. On behalf of the dedicated men and women of the EMAA Board of Directors, the Head Start Policy Council, and the EMAA Staff, you are invited to review how your agency operates, the programs that are available, and the services that are available. We are excited to share this information about all of the excellent opportunities that EMAA provides in our region. Our goal is to have a positive impact upon the communities in which we live.

The East Missouri Action Agency is one of nineteen Community Action Agencies serving the State of Missouri. Our primary focus is to address the poverty that is so prevalent among those who reside in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Washington counties in Southeast Missouri. Assistance is provided for those most in need, with the principle focus of providing the necessary support and skills that allow individuals and families to become self-sufficient.

The shadow of poverty is one of the most difficult challenges facing individuals and families throughout Southeast Missouri. These challenges have been, and continue to be exacerbated by worldwide inflationary pressures. EMAA provides the assistance and the resources necessary to help those citizens in need to find employment with a living wage. EMAA helps to provide housing for those who have none. EMAA helps families learn how to save money so they can make the down payment for a home of their own. EMAA helps the sick, the elderly, and families with very young children stay comfortable and healthy during the extreme weather that occurs in the winter and the summer.

Through Head Start, EMAA provides a strong educational foundation for young children to be successful when they enter primary school. EMAA provides resources for economic development in its service area in the form of small business loans to those who otherwise could not qualify due to their distressed situation. In response to the ongoing healthcare crisis in our country, EMAA provides women’s wellness programs to assist in maintaining good health as well as providing preventive services and assistance if there is a health issue that requires immediate attention.

Please take a few moments to review this booklet to learn more about East Missouri Action Agency and how they actively participate in your community. Chances are, you know someone we have helped, or can recommend us to someone that we can help. If you would like to know more about East Missouri Action Agency and it’s programs and services, please call EMAA at 573-431-5191. We are always happy to hear from you!

Sincerely,

Board Chair, East Missouri Action Agency

KeriMcCrorey- ExecutiveDirector

NicolleHahn-CommunityServicesDirector

BillTucker - HousingDirector

ReneeKillian- HeadStartDirector

DeniseJohnson - HRCoordinator

P r i v a t e S e c t o r

C h e s t e r H a y e s

L e e A s h e r

T a m i W h i t e

D e n i s e M o o r e

D a n i e l W i c h m e r

T h o m a s T R D u d l e y

B e r n i c e N o b l e

M a r k W e r l e y

Program Committee

F Y 2 0 2 2

P u b l i c O f f i c i a l

L e o A r n z e n

L i s a R e i t z e l

R o n n i e C h a n d l e r

J i m T h o m p s o n

M i k e S a u e r

H a r o l d G a l l a h e r

J u l i e B o v a

D a v i d S a n s e g r a w

Personnel Committee

L o w I n c o m e R e p

V a c a n t

S c o t t J o h n s o n

M e l i n d a R a c c a

J u l i a K o c h

C h a r l e s D u v a l l

S a r a h T h u r m a n

B a r b S h e r r y

M i c h e l l e R o l a n d

C o u n t y

B o l l i n g e r

C a p e

I r o n

M a d i s o n

P e r r y

S t . F r a n c o i s

S t e . G e n e v i e v e

W a s h i n g t o n

Finance Committee

E M A A B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s

AGENCY BUDGET 2022

EMAA had an FY2022 agency budget of $30,035,042. The agency budget is compiled by the agency CPA and reviewed by the agency board for approval each year.

Admin $1,030,000

CommunityServices

$8,711,617

Housing

$12,668,172

Women'sWellness

$445,061

HeadStart $7,180,190

Agency budgets are comprised of several local, state, and federal grants.

Community Services

The Community Services program department is at the heart of what we do at East Missouri Action Agency and the funding for the programs is what makes EMAA a Community Action Agency A team of 45 staff in 2022 provided services through many different programs to help those in our community move to upward economic mobility Staff in our 8 county service area, served clients at 9 outreach offices, 1 mobile unit, and at the Uplift Homeless Shelter.

Staff work one on one with clients to assess their needs and provide services through the various programs the Community Services Department offers The Community Service Representatives participate in community activities, get to know their clients, provide referrals, and help build partnerships to serve both our clients and the community In 2022 outreach staff completed 5,686 Intake and Referrals which resulted in various assistance to clients throughout our service area.

In addition to serving clients, our team also serves our communities by participating in community events, serving on community boards, working to continue and form new partnerships, educate our communities on poverty, respond to emergencies in our communities, and more

Community Services Programs

Missouri Housing Development Commission

Emergency Shelter

Emergency Needs

Rent Assistance

Coordinated Entry

Other Programs:

Step Up to Leadership

Poverty Simulations

REALL Simulations

Healthcare Enrollment: ACA & Medicaid

SELF Case Management

Missouri Property Tax Credits

Head Start is a child development program designed for three to five-year-old children from lowincome families with the hope of breaking the cycle of poverty The Head Start approach involves including the parent as the child’s primary educator and getting the entire family and community involved Although, 2022 had many challenges, such as staff shortage, but we continue to provide quality service to our children and families.

We are proud of our Head Start program with the services we provide to families and children. It is because of our extremely dedicated staff that we are able to continue to provide exceptional services to the families, children, and our community

Seventy-nine percent of our teachers have a four year degree in Early Childhood or a related field. We have 60 Assistant Teachers, of which twenty-five have at least a CDA and three have an AA or greater

We have thirteen (13) Family Advocates, of which three (3) have a Family Service Credential and one has a BA degree Seven Family Advocates are currently enrolled in Family Services Credential.

All current staff are either fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus or have a medical/religion exemption

Head Start Funding: 1/1/22 to 12/31/22

Head Start Continuation Grant: $5,280,726

Cost of Living Adjustment: $147,340

Total: $5,248,066

By receiving federal funds we are required to contribute a non-Federal match of 20% of our total Continuation grant amount in non-Federal share dollars For the 2021 grant year we were required to obtain $1,304,437; however, we did ask for a waiver due to COVID restrictions Our total for the 2022 grant year, which we acquired through volunteer hours, donated items, and rental fair market value was $1,236,604.29.

EMAA Head Start is funded to service 542 children In 2022 we served 650 children Following are some examples of how we serviced these children This is a summary and does not reflect all services provided to our children and families:

Health: 612 children received medical exams and 472 children received dental exams.

Nutrition: 154,586 nutritious meals were served to our children through breakfast, lunch, and snack

Parent Involvement/Social Services: 2,378 referrals were given to our families throughout 2022.

Education: Data from the spring 2022 aggregation indicates that children improved in all outcomes The highest gain (94%) was in following directions All Pre-K children reached their goals to transition to Kindergarten

Disabilities: Of the 542 funded children, 80 had a diagnosed disability with an IEP.

Mental Health: We contract with a mental health consultant who provide services to our children and families as needed The mental health consultants also check in monthly (on-site) with each of our Head Start locations

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. In 2022 we received $234,208 from the CACFP program

Policy Council:

The Head Start Policy Council is the governing board for the Head Start program, along with the EMAA Board of Directors The Council is made up of one parent representative from each center and one community representative from each county Parent Representatives are elected each year by the parents at each Head Start Site The Community Representatives are nominated by the local Head Start Sites in their county.

E M A A H e a d S t a r t P o l i c y C o u n c i l F Y 2 0 2 2

C o m m u n i t y R e p r e s e n t a t i v e

M o r g a n H i n e s

D i a n n e S h y

P a r e n t R e p r e s e n t a t i v e

M i r a n d a W i l c u t

C o u n t y

B o l l i n g e r

V a c a n t

D i a n n e S h y

V a c a n t

V a c a n t

V a c a n t

V a c a n t

V a c a n t

T i n a K a t e r

V a c a n t

A n g i e M e h r t e n s

*EMAA Board Liaison: Sarah Thurman

C a p e

V a c a n t I r o n

V a c a n t

V a c a n t

A m b e r K e r s h a w

V a c a n t

V a c a n t

R i c h e l l e C r a i g

L i l l i e H e n d e r s o n

V a c a n t

M a d i s o n

P e r r y

B o n n e T e r r e

F a r m i n g t o n 1

F a r m i n g t o n 2

F r a n c o i s

M i d S t .

G e n e v i e v e

S t e .

W a s h i n g t o n

A HEAD START SUCCESS

Behind every successful woman is herself! It to me a lot of years to realize this That no one wa going to support my growth and my dreams like myself. And along with that realization came the knowledge that I not only needed to support and encourage other women in the pursuit of their goals and dreams as well, but to raise my daughter to be her own biggest fan. Over the last few years, I have pushed myself harder than I have ever thought possible I have put myself through college –first nursing school, then back for Anthropology and now grad school for Bioarchaeology; I have raised my three kids and I have held down multiple jobs while paying the bills It has been far from easy and there have been so many times that I wanted to throw in the towel and walk away from chasing my dreams. But then I remember who was watching me. So, I put my head down and I pushed on I’m far from super woman, but I am a woman who has big hopes and dreams So many times, on my journey my daughter has told me how I am responsible for keeping her on track and for being her biggest cheerleader She has no idea though, how many times throughout my journey that she has saved me. I included a picture of a message she left for me in my office when I first started grad school, it is my reminder that she is always cheering me on and always watching And it now hangs in my office where I work for MoDOT as an archaeologist A reminder to me every day that I CAN and WILL accomplish what I put my mind to *** One amazing woman and mom! With her three children that are former Head Start students!

-Megan Cook Former Head Start Parent

4,730 Individuals Served 1,892 Families

Many individuals and families struggle to find affordable housing solutions in the EMAA service area. In an effort to meet those needs, EMAA utilizes rental assistance programs and creates affordable housing through new construction. The housing department administers several different programs to help income eligible households pay part of their rent in a home that is safe, sanitary and affordable EMAA is the administering agent for the Section 8 Housing voucher program serving 11 counties in Southeast Missouri As part of the Section 8 voucher program, participants can use their voucher to buy a home by utilizing their voucher in meeting their homeownership expense. In 2022 there were 1,892 families receiving rental assistance.

Additionally, EMAA operates the following rental assisted programs:

Veteran’s Assisted Supportive Housing

Family Self Sufficiency Program

Shelter Plus Care Program

EMAA has been involved in developing affordable housing across our service area for many years In partnership with Missouri Housing Development Commission, USDA and local developers over 500 units of affordable housing have been constructed Our most current partnership is with HRM Services to build twenty-four affordable senior housing units in Farmington, MO EMAA provides property management of 4 apartment complexes in Southeast Missouri:

Friendship House Apartments-Farmington, MO

Oaks Terrace Senior Living Apartments-

Fredericktown, MO

Cheryl Estates I & II- Potosi, MO

Park Hills Apartments- Park Hills, MO

My name is Sierra Bloom and I’m writing this to let you know how well this program has helped me. One, helping with rent payments when my job wasn’t enough and giving job leads when I was looking. Also, getting enrolled in the Family Self Sufficiency program really helped with having a savings set up when I graduated from the program. This program has been a huge blessing from day 1!

-Sierra Bloom

Weatherization

Weatherization assistance has provided a free service for home owners and renters who are income-eligible in the eight counties we serve by EMAA Our Mission is to reduce the energy burden on low-income residents by installing cost-effective energy efficiency measures, while ensuring their health and safety For every $1 invested, weatherization returns $2.72 in benefits (national average). These include $1.65 in energy related benefits and $107 in other benefits such as reducing pollution, unemployment and adverse health concerns

212 homes are on the waiting list to be weatherized as of June 20, 2023. We estimate there will be 52 completed homes during October 1st, 2022 –

September 30th, 2023 from the waiting list for weatherization services

EMAA Weatherization staff will conduct a blower door test on the home, based on the results of the test the staff or contractors may seal cracks in windows, doors and walls; insulate heat ducts, attics, floors and sidewalls; test and repair heating systems and water heaters.

Funding Sources: US Department of Energy, Department of Natural Resources/ Division of Energy, LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program

(LIHEAP), Ameren Utilities, Liberty Gas, Spire Gas

Homes Completed in FY2022

October2021

November2021

December2021

January2022

February2022

March2022

April2022

May2022

June2022

July2022

August2022

September2022

Weatherization Benefits:

Reduce energy use.

Alleviate substandard living conditions & reducing homelessness.

Help to provide a safer, healthier living environment

Extend the lifetime of affordable housing. Saves energy year after year.

Provide permanent weatherization energy solutions for low-income families.

Average energy savings = $437 per household

Women’s Wellness

In 2022, Women’s Wellness Center provided care to 665 individuals through 1155 office visits During this time, we continued to provide uninterrupted services by both telehealth and in person-visits We continued to see a gradual increase in the number of clients we served when compared to previous years We have been very proactive with sharing Medicaid expansion information with our clients, providing detailed application instructions, referrals, and guidance. This allowed many of our clients to obtain other medical care they deferred for many years.

We continued to focus on outreach and bringing awareness to services that both EMAA and Women’s Wellness Center offer in our communities We reached out to many local employers, shelters, and schools We collaborated with a local high school teacher and with our help, she was able to provide up to date reproductive health education to her students.

Looking ahead, we plan to increase our presence on college campuses and provide risk reductions education We are hopeful to extend our services to other surrounding counties and reach clients in need of family planning and cancer reductions services In 2022, we continued to serve our clients through 2 grants:

Family Planning or Title X grant: This is the sole federal grant that allows us to provide high quality and client centered reproductive health care The Title X family planning program is a critical part of America’s public health safety net, serving as a point-of-entry into care for nearly 195 million over the program ’ s more than 50-year history

The Right Time Initiative: Provides free contraception counseling and contraception methods. The grant aims to empower individuals to take control of their own health by improving information about, and removing barriers to, contraceptive services, recognizing that decisions always rest with the client The Right Time is built upon a commitment to addressing persistent health disparities, with a goal of reducing Missouri’s unintended pregnancy rate by 10 percent

Services Provided at All Sites:

Well-woman exams

Contraception counseling (we offer all FDA approved contraception methods)

Breast and cervical cancer screening

Sexually transmitted infection testing, treatment and counseling

Pregnancy testing and counseling

Basic fertility screening

Vaginal infection testing and treatment

Referral services

Women’s Wellness Success in Numbers

The team at the Women’s Wellness Clinic in Cape Girardeau gets a 5 star review from me Since my time here in Cape Girardeau, which began about 5 years ago, Mrs Donna and Lucia have provided more than exemplary care from annual visits to periodical checkups that I may need throughout the year Everyone in the office is extremely welcoming and friendly Lucia is knowledgeable and provides the best quality of assistance to us I can remember an experience that was a life changing event, if it hadn’t been for Mrs. Lucia I cannot imagine how painful getting through that process would’ve been.

This year was a fantastic year at the Farmington Senior Center. Our dine-in numbers have seen a steady increase this year with more than 15,000 in-house meals served and more than 60,000 meals total

The rules on how we are able to serve our clients changed during this fiscal year Aging Matters passed down the new rule that we are not allowed to let our clients carry meals out, to eat at home, unless they have applied for and received approval as a homebound client. This was a huge change, and it created some challenges early on. We feel like we are finally overcoming those challenges, and clients are adjusting

We were able to make significant upgrades in the center with a new ice machine, new steam table, and new table coverings

Congregate Meals Served

Senior Center Activities

2 Senior Exercise Classes

Dominoes Club

Paper Crafting Classes

Wood Carving Club

Quilt Guild

Wacky Bingo

Red Hats

Bunco

Monday Night Dance

Quilling Class

Veteran's Day Ceremony

4,507 3,679

8,072

Thanksgiving Feast

Christmas Dinner & Dessert Bar

Final Wishes Estate Planning Classes

Advanced Painting Classes

Paper Quilling Classes

Flu Shot Clinic

Weekly Blood Pressure Clinic

Weekly Blood Sugar Clinic

Valentine's Day Celebration

Chronic Disease Self Management Classes

Halloween Party

28,466

Paper Quilling Class

EMAA NEW FOUNDATIONS CONSTRUCTION, LLC

EMAA New Foundations was Established in 2022 The purpose of the program is to provide jobs and teach skills to those who are low-income so they can take skills learned and move on to jobs that provide a living wage. The staff consists of a crew of 10 who go in and restore homes or build new homes.

Additionally, EMAA New Foundations sells those homes at a reasonable cost to the community The proceeds from the homes go to purchase new properties and any additional revenue becomes unrestricted dollars for the agency to support other programs.

In 2022 New Foundations completed 2 projects. One was a completely remodeled run down church parsonage that had been vacant for over 5 years. The home was sold to a newly wed couple who are school teachers in the Central School District This is an example of how the program provided affordable housing, as well as restoring a vacant home into a long term home for new homeowners. Our second home was our first home built from the ground up. The home was sold to a retired couple who were looking for a home in the Park Hills area.

EMAA New Foundations purpose of providing jobs and teaching new skills was fulfilled in 2022 when employee, Nathan Hawk, having completed HVAC class and gained on the job skills was then hired full time by a construction company that was able to pay him more We also hired a gentleman from the Uplift Homeless Shelter who is currently taking an HVAC class and learning skills on the job.