Hinds County Human Resource Agency 2021 Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

As I reflect on the past two years, I am genuinely astonished and humbled by the accomplishments of this agency amid a pandemic. It is incredible how we were able to adjust and progress during a time when the state of our economy has had a significant impact nationally that has filtered down to our local economy through supply chain delays, increased unemployment rates, inflation and so much more. We have all heard of the adverse effects that this has had on local businesses and organizations. Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) is fortunate to have succeeded.

Our mission has always been to empower disadvantaged Hinds County residents to become self-reliant and realize their full potential. We continue to do so with renewed enthusiasm for the fulfillment of our mission. Because of the cooperation and assistance of our leadership team, with support from our strong Board of Directors, and our staff who have made significant changes in our operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We not only advanced our service delivery model but also improved how we engage with our customers.

In 2021, we saw an overwhelming response regarding new customers that have never accessed our agency programming which flooded our systems, during one of the most challenging times our agency has ever faced. We received new funding that presented us with new barriers, policy changes, and regulatory guidelines that required us to make mid-year changes to our operations to remain compliant. In addition, all of this was during a time when we truly could not meet every customer’s need.

Furthermore, HCHRA saw unprecedented numbers of staff contracting COVID-19. It has been an all-out war on the virus and we had to adjust how we conduct business. We began implementing safety protocols that included utilizing all Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended sanitizing and social distancing practices. For much of the year, HCHRA had to fight to overcome staff shortages, and diminished services directly related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we learned the most about ourselves during this time—we are resilient. Moreover, even during these trying times, we were able to find our footing and make swift changes within our operations to adapt to the external environment.

Our mantra has always been “helping families, strengthening communities” and we remain committed. I am pleased to share our 2021 Annual Report, which highlights our accomplishments and provides excellent insight into our goals and vision.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

I am pleased to present HCHRA’s 2021 annual report on behalf of the Board of Directors. It provides a transparent view of our performances and demonstrates that HCHRA is a robust organization committed to continuous improvement and improved outcomes for our stakeholders and the general public.

We are living through an unprecedented time, but what gives me hope is our organization’s commitment to helping disadvantaged citizens become self-reliant and realize their full potential. As chairman of the board, I am excited to see what the future holds for this organization and the great things they are doing within the community.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the ability of individuals and families to move out of poverty, and economic stability is more challenging than ever before. Nevertheless, HCHRA staff continue to rise to the challenge of providing quality services compassionately, and my fellow board members have demonstrated a solid commitment to advancing the Agency’s mission. Collectively, we have been persistent in our efforts to provide opportunities that encourage individuals and families to achieve selfsufficiency and become economically secure.

The dedication shown by the staff and board of directors has truly inspired me. Additionally, the growing support of our corporate and community partners has encouraged me because I know HCHRA’s services and support will remain accessible to those who need them the

HCHRAmost.is

an agency that impacts so many lives, and I am excited to see the excellent and transformative work the Agency will do for the community in the years to come.

WillardSincerely,L. Spires Chairman of the Board

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I am excited to see the excellent and transformative work the Agency will do for the community in the years to come.

In The Beginning

In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an unconditional war on poverty in America. He described poverty as a national problem requiring improved national organization support; he understood that the attack must also

organized at the state and local levels to be effective. Therefore, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was born. Its purpose was to eliminate poverty, expand educational opportunities, increase the safety net for the poor and unemployed, and tend to the health and financial needs of the elderly.

As part of the War on Poverty, the Economic Opportunity Act authorized the formation of local Community Action Agencies to carry out its mission at the local level.

The Community Services Association was created in the Summer of 1967 to serve the citizens of Hinds County. In 1975, the agency was discontinued; however, in 1976, it was reborn as the Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA).

In 1977, HCHRA began operating as a nonprofit with the sponsorship of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. Additionally, the City of Jackson donated space and resources, and since its inception, HCHRA has successfully operated as the only Community Action Agency in Hinds County. HCHRA has consistently worked to uplift citizens, help families, and build and strengthen communities, as illustrated in our 2021 annual report.

New Community Needs Were Identified

Since its inception, HCHRA has administered a wide range of programs designed to assist those in the county who need the most help. From the beginning, HCHRA’s main focus was youth and families. Therefore, the first programs offered included Head Start, Neighborhood Youth Corps, youth development, summer recreation, family planning, legal services, comprehensive health, emergency medical

and food services, and alcohol abuse services. As we began identifying new community needs, programs were created and tailored to help meet them. These included flood disaster relief, transportation, energy crisis assistance, weatherization of homes, a food bank, the Hunger Coalition, a tutorial program for youth offenders, daycare, utility assistance, COVID-19 relief, and rental assistance.

Communities Strengthened

The War on Poverty had two central objectives: First, to provide jobs and training, especially for young people growing up in poverty and increasingly condemned by lack of economic opportunity to repeat the cycle. Second, to bring the entire resources of a community to bear on the specific problem of breaking up the cycle of poverty in that community. For the past forty years, that is precisely what HCHRA has done.

Uplifting citizens, helping families, building andcommunities.strengthening

It shall be the mission of HCHRA to disadvantagedempowercitizenstobecomeself-reliantandrealizetheirfullpotential.

As prescribed by the War on Poverty, HCHRA has attacked the trends and conditions of poverty by creating job opportunities, increasing productivity, and enhancing the quality of life. Our aim has not been to end poverty but eradicate the principal causes.

Impact and Growth

HCHRA’s mission is to empower dis advantaged Hinds County citizens to become self-reliant and realize their full potential. Since its creation, HCHRA has worked methodically to lift families and communities out of poverty into Ledself-sufficiency.byPresident and CEO Kenn Cockrell, HCHRA employs approx imately 400 individuals. A 15-mem ber Board of Directors representing the public, private, and poor sectors provides oversight and establishes policies for the Agency. This year, HCHRA served more than 13,700 citizens through the Agency’s three Neighborhood Service Centers, twelve Head Start centers, two Head Start satellite classrooms, and four Early Head Start facilities.

Moving Forward

Often, we think the lack of jobs and money is the cause of poverty; however, it is merely a symptom. HCHRA’s primary goal is not only to relieve the symptoms of poverty but also to prevent and cure it altogether.

HCHRA’s vision is to become a full-service agency that successfully procures and integrates all available resources and services for the disenfranchised and impoverished citizens of Hinds County. HCHRA’s objective is to utilize those resources to change the lives and trajectory of the people living in Hinds County. So that they are no longer repeating the cycle of poverty but transforming their surroundings and excelling to greater levels of success and stability.

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HCHRA’s primary goal is not only to relieve the symptoms of poverty but also to prevent and cure it altogether.

Since its creation, HCHRA has communitiesmethodicallyworkedtoliftfamiliesandoutofpovertyintoself-sufficiency.

Serving All of Hinds County

Della J. Caugills

3383 Terry Road | Jackson, MS

Edwards

105 Williamson Avenue | Edwards, MS

Holy Ghost 1145 Cloister Street | Jackson, MS

Oak Forest 3023 Ridgeland Drive | Jackson, MS

Della J. Caugills

3383 Terry Road | Jackson, MS

Edwards

105 Williamson Avenue | Edwards, MS

Eulander P. Kendrick

642 Morgan Drive | Terry, MS

Gertrude Ellis

7293 Gary Road | Byram, MS

Holy Ghost Early Head Start Center

1145 Colister St. | Jackson, MS

Isable Elementary School (Satellite Head Start Classroom) 1716 Isable Street | Jackson, MS

Martin 555 S. Roach Street | Jackson, MS

Mary C. Jones

2050 Martin Luther King Drive | Jackson, MS

Midtown 134 E. Fortification Street | Jackson, MS

Oak Forest 3023 Ridgeland Drive | Jackson, MS

Richard Brandon 5920 N. State Street | Jackson, MS

South Jackson 3020 Grey Boulevard | Jackson, MS

St. Thomas 3850 S. Norrell Road | Bolton, MS

Van Winkle (Satellite Head Start Classroom) 1655 Whiting Road | Jackson, MS

Westside 1450 Wiggins Road | Jackson, MS

Willowood Developmental Center (Satellite Head Start Classrooms) 1635 Boling Street | Jackson, MS

258 Maddox Road | Jackson, Mississippi | 601-923-3930

OPPORTUNITIES

Community Assessment

Due to the novel Coronavirus and delays in receiving the data from the official Decennial Census data, we will continue to use the data collected and report complied for the 2020 Community Strengths & Needs Assessment (CSNA). HCHRA gathered and analyzed demographic community data; collected feedback from clients, community partners, and stakeholders; and identified strengths and assets that already exist throughout Hinds County.

First, we sifted through demographic data such as the U.S. Census Bureau Reports and the American Community Surveys to better understand our customers and what resources they lack. This first step gave us both quantitative and qualitative data to identify our population’s demographic composition. It allowed us to better understand their different levels of education, employment, housing, health, and nutrition deficiencies.

weourmoreKnowingaboutcustomers,thensought their

maximum feasible participation to ensure that our low-income customers had a voice in identifying the most significant problems they face, the programs and services they identify as most needed to attain self-sufficiency, and determining which of those same programs and services they find unavailable in their local community. Almost 600 surveys were collected and analyzed for 2020, providing a

complete picture of our customers’low-incomeexperiences and circumstances of living in poverty.

Whereas the CSNA report focuses on the needs or deficits of the community to better identify and address the root causes of poverty, it also focuses on assets and strengths — the resources the community does have available.

CSBG GRANT:

8 individuals obtained a GED, or certificate of achievement of educational or vocational skills; 5 individuals received postsecondary education degrees; 49 adults obtained, maintained, or increased their employment up to a living wage; 86 obtained and/or maintained safe and affordable housing; 20 individuals participated in programs to improve their physical health and well-being; 1,381children (0-5) who demonstrated improved emergent literacy skills, positive approaches towards learning.

The CSNA not only surveyed the community and empowered the voice and participation of its residents, but also focused on identifying community assets and resources. Showing how they could be harnessed to meet community needs and strengthen the community as a whole. The CSNA allowed us to capture the entire composition of the community and identify specific causes, effects, solutions, and prevention steps to help fill the gaps throughout Hinds TheCounty.final step in the CSNA process was using the data we gathered to determine how to prioritize programming and continue

to help HCHRA align its focus with eradicating poverty within communities.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is the backbone of HCHRA. It provides funds to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities. CSBG funding allows HCHRA to address needs through three levels of engagement: family, community, and agency. Through CSBG, we provide opportunities that address employment, education, and better use of income, housing, nutrition, safety, emergency services, and health. These services and activities have measurable outcomes and are a major impact on increasing self-reliance and improved living conditions.

Funding Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the MDHS Division of Community Services

Community Services Block Grant (CBSG) CARES Act

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is a special grant provided to HCHRA in response to the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. It provides funds to help alleviate the tremendous financial burden placed on families due to loss of income because of job loss, furloughs, reduced hours, and employer closures due to Coronavirus.

CSBG CARES funds allow HCHRA to address needs within three focus areas: housing, employment, and education. These services and activities have been measurable. Through the CSBG CARES Act funding, HCHRA can focus on ensuring a robust multigenerational approach to serving families of low income who are adversely affected by COVID-19.

Funding Source: U.S Department of Health and Human Services through the MDHS Division of Community Services.

Emergency Services Grant

HCHRA collaborated with the City of Jackson’s Department of Human and Cultural Services to administer the Emergency Services Grant to assist residents with water and sewer emergencies. Funding provided by the Emergency Services Grant enabled HCHRA to redirect CSBG funds to assist more Hinds County residents with housing, employment, and education.

Funding Source: City of Jackson Congregate Sites Designed to promote older individuals’ general health and wellbeing, HCHRA’s Congregate Meals program traditionally would provide seniors with a hot “sit-down” style meal at gathering sites throughout Hinds County.

CHALLENGES:OVERCOMINGSITESCONGREGATE

Due to the continual effects of COVID-19 and the potentially devastating risks it poses for senior citizens, HCHRA’s Congregate Meals sites remained closed, and each week HCHRA delivered meals to seniors who could no longer gather at the sites. These meals were different from the frozen home delivery meals because seniors were provided shelf-stable meals that can be stored at room temperature and do not have to be cooked or refrigerated to be safely consumed.

SERVICESEMERGENCYGRANT:

$175,000 assisted 256 residents with water and sewer emergencies. That is nearly million17.5 gallons of water at a base price of 1¢ per gallon. That’s roughly $683 spent per household.

However, due to COVID-19, the congregate site meals format was modified into a home delivery system of shelfstabilizing meals. This service is intended to reduce hunger and food insecurity, promote socialization, and delay the onset of adverse health conditions.

Funding Source: Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services through the Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging; and CSBG

Home Delivered Meals

HCHRA delivers five nutritious, wellbalanced, and easy-to-prepare meals each week to elderly citizens and people with disabilities who reside in rural Hinds County that cannot leave home without assistance.

Funding Source: Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services through the Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging

Low-Income Home Energy ProgramAssistance(LIHEAP)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy. Designed to assist low-income households with paying household energy bills, LIHEAP offers special provisions to reach and serve those who are homebound, the elderly, and citizens with disabilities in Hinds County.

LIHEAP CARES Act

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is a special grant provided to HCHRA in response to the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The LIHEAP CARES Act fund was designed to provide economic assistance to households burdened with energy costs/consumption and ensure families have adequate home heating and cooling. The LIHEAP CARES offers special provisions to provide immediate energy assistance to households meeting the 60% of the state median income Delivered Meals CARES:

guidelines, prioritizing those households directly impacted by COVID-19, such as those who have lost jobs or had hours cut.

Funding Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the MDHS Division of Community Services.

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RELIABLE

Here are many people who— because of age, disability, or income—cannot drive or may not have access to a personal vehicle. With its flexibility and affordable rates, rural Hinds County residents can rely on HCHRA’s Rural Transit Program.

Rural TransportationPublic

With a fleet of 18 vehicles and a capacity for 291 passengers, including buses and vans, the rural public transportation program offers safe, reliable and accessible transportation to the citizens of rural Hinds County. HCHRA provides demand response, fixed route and contractual services for medical, shopping, education, recreation, and employment needs in accordance with its grant agreement with the Mississippi Department of Transportation. With its flexibility and affordable rates, it has become a preferred method of transportation for seniors, persons with disabilities, and the general public.

Funding Source: Federal Transit Administration through the Mississippi Department of Transportation

Title IIIB Transportation

The Title IIIB Transportation Program helps elderly residents in Hinds County maintain their independence and mobility by providing transportation to obtain goods and services, including medical and dental treatment, and social and community services.

Funding Source: Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services through the Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging a combined budget

Head Start and Early Head Start

HCHRA’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide comprehensive child development services to preschool children in Hinds County.

HCHRA staff attended to the developmental needs of these children in 97 classrooms, five days a week for 172 days (for Head Start children) and 201days for (Early Head Start children), for a minimum of 6 hours each day.

Funding Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. The Mississippi State Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food Program also provides reimbursement for the operation of child nutrition services. operates Head Start Centers, Satellite Classrooms, and Early Head Start programs which serve eligible expectant mothers and children from birth to age three.

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● 4-year 5 years

● Pregnant Women 2-year olds

A total of 1,506 children were served, including 45 who received special education/ disability services. 634 of our 4-year-olds were developmentally ready to enter kindergarten in 2021. 86% average monthly enrollment 72% incomeeligible children served 285,115 meals served to children throughout the school year

HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START ENROLLMENT DATA

Head Start Early Head Start programs represent cultural backgrounds.ethnic

Additional Child Services

In addition to many other HCHRA Head Start services, medical and dental screenings and care were provided to over 90% of children after enrollment. To further meet their health needs, mental health and disability services were made available to children/families — thus ensuring their overall health and wellbeing. The chart to the right shows how many of our children already had access to health care services when they enrolled in Head Stat, compared to the level of access made available to them as part of our Head Start program services. HCHRA increased and improved access to health care services for

its children in all areas except wellchild check-ups. The decrease can be attributed to the number of parents HCHRA encouraged to visit the doctor to have their children’s check-ups completed before enrollment.

Preparing Our Children for the Future

HCHRA collaborates with Jackson, Hinds County, and Clinton Public School Districts through an

Interagency Partnership Agreement. This pact ensures open lines of communication and collaboration, which are critical as we work in tandem to promote kindergarten

Classroomreadiness. staff visit kindergarten classrooms and attend other events to become familiar with the various public school activities.

HCHRA’s Children’s Services Division assess four-year-olds twice per year on alphabet knowledge, numbers, shapes, colors, name identification, and writing. Classroom teachers receive assessment score sheets and prepare individualized activities and experiences as further assurance

Teaching Strategies

GOLD to further ensure that the learning domains match the competencies in the “Mississippi Early Guidelines for Four-Year-Old Children,” which is developed through

GOLD to further

the Mississippi Department of Education. This technology is utilized three times yearly to assess all children. This process helps determine a child’s present achievement level and develop learning plans as needed for each child.

Families as Life-Long Educators

Parents and families observe, guide, promote, and participate in the everyday learning of their children at home, school, and in their communities. HCHRA provides several activities and opportunities to encourage parental involvement and ongoing support.

Activity: At-Home Curriculum Support Activity Calendar

Parent’s Role: Share time daily with their children, doing various outlined activities.

Activity: Parental Educational Continuum Request Form

Parent’s Role: Document input on the specific skills they wish to be implemented in the classroom/curriculum.

Activity: Teaching Strategies GOLD

Parent’s Role: With the teacher, review information issued as a guide to measure and track children’s skills status and as a tool for sharing skills that parents would like for their children to learn.

Activity: Volunteer Opportunities

Parent’s Role: Attend/Assist on field trips, including transitional field trips— those taken as children transition from Head Start to public schools.

Parents and families observe, guide, promote, and participate in the everyday learning of their children at home, school, and in their communities.

Families as Learners

Families are always learning. Parents or guardians are constantly learning about their roles, their children, and ways to keep their families safe and healthy. Additionally, they are learning how to manage important relationships within their lives. Families also take on the role of teachers. As they learn, they share their experiences and knowledge within their family and community, thus helping others gain new understanding. Head Start prides itself on educational instruction and empowering families.

The Head Start family services component is designed to assist families in assessing their needs, developing a sense of direction, and providing services that will build upon their individual strengths to meet their individual needs and resolve conflicts in their lives. The final component is to continue an active and ongoing partnership with families and follow-up to determine if the services provided meet the needs of the families or if a different course of action is needed.

The staff focuses on providing support and allowing families to make their own decisions regarding which resources they choose to utilize. The interpersonal relationships established between staff and family members provide the vehicle through which effective decision-making occurs.

BY THE NUMBERS:

In addition to providing an education to our children, HCHRA assisted with English as a second language, adult education, job training, health education, and parenting education to 117 Head Start Families and 5 Early Head Start Families.

When properly and consistently collected and studied, these data paint a vivid picture of the progress of our families.

In addition to providing an education to our children, HCHRA assisted with emergency/crisis intervention, housing, mental health services, and substance abuse prevention to 16 Head Start Families and 2 Early Head Start Families.

BY THE NUMBERS:

HCHRA employs Family Opportunity Advisors with baccalaureate degrees, Family Opportunity Advisor Assistants with baccalaureate degrees, and Family Opportunity Advisor II with having baccalaureate degrees and with a master’s.

Staffing Patterns

HCHRA employs a talented group of hard-working individuals who are welltrained and competent in their roles.

In addition to hiring qualified individuals, HCHRA offers continuing education, training and support to ensure quality performance and the best possible outcomes for the children and families we serve.

Quality Assurance

The Quality Assurance Division is a service function that was established in 2017 for the primary purpose of conducting audits in accordance with HCHRA Head Start and Early Head Start policies and procedures. The evidential matter gathered from these audits attests to the adequacy of internal control, the degree of compliance with established policies and procedures, and/or their effectiveness and efficiency in achieving organizational objectives.

With an increasing call for transparency, HCHRA felt it was critical to show evidence of our commitment to quality to our partners, customers, potential employees, volunteers, funders, stakeholders, and the general public.

The Quality Assurance Division gives us a real-time perspective on how well our plans are working and if policies are being interpreted and implemented as we intended. Ongoing monitoring helps us to identify any operational gaps and potential weaknesses and allows us to provide more specific training and resource allocation to improve outcomes and strengthen efficiencies.

● Teacher: Teacher Early Teacher:

Advanced Degree / 26 Baccalaureate Degree / 55 Associate’s Degree / 16

Advanced Degree / 3 Baccalaureate Degree / 22 Associate’s Degree / 70

Advanced Degree / 7 Baccalaureate Degree / 16

Agency Development

As a community action agency, we recognize that we have some choices concerning how we respond to poverty, both among people (lowincome individuals and families) and places (the communities in which they Atlive).Hinds

County Human Resource Agency, we are focused on the future and how critically important it is to navigate these turbulent times locally, statewide, and nationally. We are committed to innovation and quality improvements, which keep the agency focused on the future in an everchanging landscape.

HCHRA understands that to be successful in this environment, community action agencies such as ours must have the capacity to plan

for results, clearly measure the outcomes of their work, and demonstrate how programs and services contribute to these outcomes. To meet the challenges of what lay ahead, we had to envision where we wanted to be and decide how to get there. We asked the Hinds County community to engage in a collaborative strategic planning process that resulted in a three-year strategic plan to provide a bright future for the agency and our people. Last year was our second year into our strategic plan. It was the year of adjustments and technological advancements. To be more accountable and have better outcomes, we used new technologies, adjusted to new restrictions due to COVID-19, and designed policies on the fly in response to the pandemic. As a result, 2021 proved to be our most challenging year, but we learned different ways of doing business because of COVID-19.

A copy of Hinds County Human Resource Agency’s strategic plan can be found online at www.hchra.org under Reports & Plans.

HCHRA leadership staff has an average of over 19 years of community action and Head experience.Start

STAFF AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Each school year begins with rigorous pre-service training, and inservice training is held throughout the year. This ensures that staff is adequately trained on updated Head Start Program Performance Standards and equipped with the knowledge and tools to provide the best possible environment for the children and families who are a part of the Head Start

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LOOKING FORWARD

The greatest need for Hinds County residents is employment, education, and housing, with a fourth place element as nutrition due to the overwhelming hunger and food insecurities identified in our Community Strengths and Needs Assessment (CSNA). This information paints a very vivid picture of both poverty and extreme poverty conditions. As an agency, we realize that to alleviate poverty, we must not only provide safety net programs but also treat the trends and conditions of poverty. Therefore, in the coming years, we must readjust our focus on employment, education, and housing opportunities for the citizens of Hinds County. Finally, we have realized that we must adjust to our “new normal” and the after-effects of the pandemic and its impact on the local community, our funding, and how we operate as an agency. We will continue to monitor how this impacts how we serve the community and do all we can to provide much-needed resources to those with the greatest needs!