Introduction
The Lafourche Parish Office of Community Action Share the Warmth Program is to assist the households
of the elderly, families with young children, and persons with disabilities living in Lafourche Parish
who are users of Atmos Energy.
Application Process
All persons applying for service through the Community Action Agency Energy Program must complete
and application. Applicants are eligible to receive only on Atmos benefit payment in a twelve-month
calendar period. Required proper documentation must be presented at the time of service.
All applicants must be able to provide:
disconnect notice
documentation showing a reduction in income
proof of loss of wages
proof of an increase of necessary expenses
Social Security number for everyone in the household
valid photo ID or driver's license
For more information, please contact Erica Adams at (985) 537-7603 or Stephanie Washington at
(985) 446-6731.
History
The Child/Adult Care Food Program was first established by Congress in 1968 to help ensure that
children receive nutritious, well-balanced meals while in day care. The program was authorized
under Section 17 of the National School Lunch Act which provides assistance to States in initiate
and maintains nonprofit food service programs for children or adult participants in nonresidential
institutions which provide care.
The intent of the program is to improve the health and eating habits of children. Children in
participating homes receive nutritious meals which will help keep them healthy and growing. They
are given the opportunity to learn to eat and enjoy a variety of nutritious foods.
What is the Child/Adult Care Food Program?
The Child/Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursement for nutritious meals and snacks
served in a family day care home setting that meet pattern guidelines. CACFP is a Federal Program
funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, and administered
in Louisiana by the Department of Education.
Program Goals
Ensure that well-balanced, nutritious meals are served to children and adults in care
Help participants learn to eat a wide variety of foods as part of a balanced diet
Provide reimbursement for meals served
Provide technical assistance and guidance on food service operation, program management
and recordkeeping
Why is CACFP important?
Young children need good, nutritious foods to help them learn and develop normally. Receiving
regular, well-balanced meals is as important in child care as it is at home. Along with motor
and development skills, proper eating skills are developed early; children learn nutrition as they
eat. Children can learn good, healthful eating habits when they are young. Nutrition education
during meals, snacks or at play can serve to begin a lifestyle of healthy eating.
Participation Requirements
Provider must be 18 years of age or older.
Daycare must be located in a residential dwelling that is the provider's own private
residence.
Must maintain a current Fire Marshall inspection for the home where the daycare operates.
Serve nutritionally balanced meals which meet USDA minimum daily requirements.
Keep a daily attendance record of enrolled children.
Maintain menu record and meal attendance as mandated by program regulations
Attend training sessions and workshops.
Reimbursements
The CACFP reimburses you for meals served to the children enrolled in your day care program.
There is no cost to belong to this program. It is federally funded program administered by the
Louisiana State Department of Education.
For more information on our CACFP Program, click
HERE
to download the brochure or contact Stacy Savoy at (985) 537-7603 or toll free at 1-800-794-3160.
Introduction
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program was established in 1983 to supplement
the work of local social service organizations within the United States, both private and
governmental, to help people in need of emergency assistance. The program began in 1983 with
a $50 million federal appropriation and was created by Congress to help meet the needs
of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating
federal funds for the provision of food and shelter. This collaborative effort between the
private and public sectors has disbursed over $2.3 billion in Federal funds during its
21-year history.
The program is governed by a national board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross;
Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; The National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The Board is chaired by a representative
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
During its 20 years of operation, the program has disbursed over $2 billion to over 11,000 local
providers in more than 2,500 counties and cities.
Program Objectives:
to allocate funds to the neediest areas,
to ensure fast response,
to foster public/private sector cooperation,
to ensure local decision making, and
to maintain minimal, but accountable, reporting.
How Are Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funds Used?
Program funds are used to provide the following, as determined by the Local Board in funded jurisdictions:
Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.
Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel.
One month's rent or mortgage payment.
One month's utility bill.
Minimal repairs to allow a mass feeding or sheltering facility to function during the program year.
Equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to a $300 limit per item.
For more information on our Emergency Food and Shelter Program, contact the Office of Community Action
at (985) 537-7603 or toll free at 1-800-794-3160.
Introduction
Lafourche Parish Office of Community Action Emergency Services programs are designed to assist residents
of Lafourche Parish by meeting their emergency needs through homeless prevention and community food and
nutrition programs. All participants must have proper documentation and meet income guideline requirements.
Programs
HOMELESS PREVENTION
OCA assists low-income families through funds received from the State and referrals to other agencies.
State regulations are strict and funds are limited. According to need the agency is allowed to pay
one month rent/mortgage, utility deposits, damage deposit, utility bills, lodging, medication and
emergency food. Households must meet income guidelines for this program.
COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CSBG) INCOME GUIDELINES
(125% of Poverty Level)
# Household Members
Monthly Income
Annual Income
1 person
$1,083
$13,000
2 people
$1,458
$17,500
3 people
$1,833
$22,000
4 people
$2,208
$26,500
5 people
$2,583
$31,000
6 people
$2,958
$35,500
7 people
$3,333
$40,000
8 people
$3,708
$44,500
**Each additional household member above eight (8) persons,
add $375 monthly and $4,500 annually.
For more information on our Emergency Services Program, click
HERE
to download the brochure or contact Erica Adams
at (985) 537-7603 (toll free 1-800-794-3160).
Program Goals
The primary goal of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist
eligible households to meet the cost of home energy for heating and cooling. The second
goal of the program is to conserve and reduce energy costs of these households through
the Weatherization of dwelling units. The final goal is to provide for crisis intervention
in instances of weather related and supply shortages emergencies.
Louisiana Housing Finance Agency is responsible for the administration of the LIHEAP program
according to Federal and State Guidelines.
Eligible certifying households are determined by the Provider Agency that is under contract
with Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, in this case, the Office of Community Action.
The LIHEAP program serves eligible households that meet the eligibility criteria.
It specifically targets those households that contain one or more individuals who are:
Five years old or younger
Disabled
Sixty years old or older
Assistance through LIHEAP utilities provides payments to Entergy, Gas Service companies
or any heating fuel vendors for those households which fall within 60% poverty guidelines.
The program is designed to assist ongoing account; it cannot assist with disconnected accounts
for reconnects or deposits.
2007 FEDERAL POVERTY INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
(60% of Poverty Level)
# Household Members
Annual Income
Monthly Income
1 person
$15,768.00
$1,414.00
2 people
$20,616.00
$1,849.00
3 people
$25,464.00
$2,285.00
4 people
$30,312.00
$2,720.00
5 people
$35,172.00
$3,155.00
6 people
$40,020.00
$3,590.00
7 people
$40,932.00
$3,672.00
8 people
$41,832.00
$3,753.00
9 people
$42,744.00
$3,835.00
10 people
$43,656.00
$3,916.00
11 people
$47,976.00
$3,998.00
12 people
$48,960.00
$4,080.00
13 people
$49,932.00
$4,161.00
14 people
$50,916.00
$4,243.00
**Each additional household member above fourteen (14) persons, add $82.00 monthly and $984.00 annually.
DOCUMENTATION NEEDED
Proof of income
If no income, applicant must provide a letter from the person who helps them pay their bills.
A contact number must be provided.
Photo ID / Driver's License
Social Security number for everyone in the household
Date of birth for everyone in the household
Current electric or gas bill
Gas bill must be dated for the same month as the electric bill
NO disconnection notices
Benefit Information & Eligibility
Documentation needed to determine the energy benefit to be received is based on the highest
energy bill within the past (11) months and the current month of the application.
Eligibility is based on the information from the client income and energy bills provided. The following represents
percentages used to determine the amount awarded based on the number of persons in the households.
Percentage Ratio
1 to 3 Persons
4 to 7 Persons
8 or More
25% or higher
$290
$300
$310
22% to 24.9%
$250
$260
$270
19% to 21.9%
$210
$220
$230
16% to 18.9%
$170
$180
$190
13% to 15.9%
$130
$140
$150
10% to 12.9%
$90
$100
$110
9.9%
$50
$60
$70
For further information on LIHEAP, click HERE to download the brochure or contact Erica Adams
at (985) 537-7603 (toll free 1-800-794-3160).
On August 4, 2006, Lafourche Parish Office of Community Action is hosting its second annual
Teen Expo in Thibodaux, LA. The purpose of the Teen Expo is to provide opportunities for
teen residents of Lafourche Parish to explore solutions to issues of importance. Topics planned
for discussion include those of local interest such as drugs, HIV, politics, overcoming
socioeconomic differences, and understanding how to work towards achieving their goals.
Global issues such as world peace and international relations will also be examined.
Teen Expo Objectives:
To inspire and excite youth become self-motivated and confident learners through hands-on,
participatory experiences that make learning fun. Enable youth to share experiences, knowledge,
and resources with other youth build leadership skills, communication skills, team work, and an
appreciation for different cultures among youth.
Volunteer information:
OCA is looking for teens who would like to show off their talents in areas of:
music, dance, comedy, drama or poetry.
2006 Teen Expo Event Information
Admission:
Free (must show valid school ID)
Date/Time:
Friday, August 4, 2006; doors open @ 4PM
Location:
Moses Community Center
1310 Cardinal Drive
Thibodaux, LA 70301
Donations:
Teen Expo is funded through the support of the Parish Council and by donations from the community.
OCA needs your support and help in our endeavors. It is important that we have the total
involvement from all sectors of the community. Without you, our commitment to helping people
and changing lives in Lafourche would not be possible. With your support, we are uniting an entire
community by improving the conditions in which people live, which is the spirit of the
Community Action Agency. Together, we can find solutions to all of the problems we are facing in
Lafourche today.
If you would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to "Lafourche Parish Council."
In the memo blank at the bottom of your check please indicate what your donation is for,
"Teen Expo" and the department, "Lafourche Community Action."
For more information, click
HERE
to view the 2006 Teen Expo Press Release or contact
Shandra Streams
at (985) 537-7603 (toll free 1-800-794-3160).
The Lafourche Parish Office of Community Action provides Commodities through
Second Harvest Food Bank out of New Orleans, Louisiana. The program is designed
to assist residents of Lafourche Parish with all essential food items to provide
healthy, balanced meals for their families.
Commodities distribution dates are scheduled whenever supplies are available from
Second Harvest Food Bank. Please check this page periodically for an updated listing
of distribution dates and locations.
Commodities Distribution Schedule
Location
Date
Time
OCA North Lafourche Outreach Branch (Thibodaux)
1445 Martin Luther King Drive
Thibodaux, Louisiana
Phone: (985) 446-6731
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
10:00 AM
For more information on program requirements or about Commodities distribution times
and locations, please contact the Office of Community Action at (985) 537-7603
(toll free 1-800-794-3160).
Introduction
The Lafourche Parish Office of Community Action Agency (CAA) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program
prepares free returns for low- to moderate-income individuals in the Lower and Central Lafourche areas who
cannot afford professional services for the preparation of their Federal and State income taxes.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable Federal tax credit for eligible taxpayers who work,
but do not earn high incomes. The EITC delivers billions of dollars to millions of low-income taxpayers—many
of whom rely on the credit to lift them above the poverty line. OCA provides quality service to the people in
Lafourche by assisting individuals in claiming allowable tax credits and various tax adjustments and deductions.
Through electronic filing, taxpayers can receive funds within 7-10 days.
CAA-VITA offers:
Free preparation of basic Federal and State tax forms
Free E-Filing
Free Direct Deposit to your checking or savings account
Qualifications:
The taxpayer must have earned income from employment or from self-employment.
The taxpayer’s filing status cannot be married filing separately.
The taxpayer must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year, or a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien and filing a joint return.
The taxpayer cannot be a qualifying child of another person.
If the taxpayer does not have a qualifying child, he or she must:
Be age 25 but under 65 at the end of the year
Live in the US for more than half of the tax year, and
Not qualify as a dependent of another person.
The taxpayer, his or her spouse (filing jointly) and any qualifying child listed on Schedule EIC must have
valid social security numbers issued by the Social Security Administration.
Volunteer Services
VITA training is free, and jobs include tax assistors, greeters and quality control checkers.
Each volunteer tax assistor receives free tax and software training from the IRS. They earn their certification
through a series of open-book tests. Greeters help clients fill out their intake forms and organize their papers.
They also answer the telephones and help make appointments for tax help. The quality control checkers proofread
tax forms with original documents to prevent filing errors.
To setup an appointment call:
Robin Cheramie (Galliano)
(985) 632-3989
For more information on our Earn Income Tax Credit Program, click
HERE
to download the brochure.
Introduction
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federally funded grant program
facilitated through grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and administered
by the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (LHFA). The program was created in 1976 to
assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiency.
In accordance with the legal mandate to meet the social service needs of Louisiana’s citizens,
LHFA receives the grant funds and, through contractual agreement, provides the funds to
local non-profit agencies or local governments. These agencies deliver Weatherization services
to eligible low-income households within their service delivery area. Dwelling units occupied
by children, elderly, and handicapped are given priority in ranking households of
Weatherization services.
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) was designed to reduce the energy consumption of
low-income households, making utility bills more affordable. It does this by making free
energy-efficiency improvements for income-eligible households. Services may include attic,
wall, blower-door testing for air leakages and heating system repairs or replacements. The
program also identifies and repairs health, safety and comfort-related problems common in
older homes often occupied by low-income families. These improvements are made with specialized
diagnostic equipment during energy audits. Of equal importance is the program’s success is
individualized client education.
Program Goals
The primary goals or the Weatherization Assistance Program are:
To reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and imported oil.
To reduce the impact of higher fuel costs.
To improve the comfort level and reduce energy costs of low-income families by insulating,
caulking and sealing the households, giving priority to dwellings occupied by children,
elderly or handicapped individuals.
2007 FEDERAL POVERTY INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
(60% of Poverty Level)
# Household Members
Annual Income
Monthly Income
1 person
$15,768.00
$1,414.00
2 people
$20,616.00
$1,849.00
3 people
$25,464.00
$2,285.00
4 people
$30,312.00
$2,720.00
5 people
$35,172.00
$3,155.00
6 people
$40,020.00
$3,590.00
7 people
$40,932.00
$3,672.00
8 people
$41,832.00
$3,753.00
9 people
$42,744.00
$3,835.00
10 people
$43,656.00
$3,916.00
11 people
$47,976.00
$3,998.00
12 people
$48,960.00
$4,080.00
13 people
$49,932.00
$4,161.00
14 people
$50,916.00
$4,243.00
**Each additional household member above fourteen (14) persons, add $82.00 monthly and $984.00 annually.
Other Weatherization Program Facts
Since the inception of the WAP, over 5.6 million homes have been weatherized with DOE funds.
This year, an estimated 94,450 homes nationwide will be weatherized with DOE funds.
An average of 30.5 million MBtu of energy is saved as a result of weatherization.
This equates to a 23% reduction in primary heating fuel use.
Low income families will save an average of $358 in reduced first-year energy costs,
at current prices.
Taken together, for every $1 invested in the Program, Weatherization returns $2.69 in
energy and non-energy related benefits.
Weatherization creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for every $1 million invested.
Weatherization measures reduce national energy demand by the equivalent of 18 million barrels
of oil per year.
Weatherization saves an average of 30.8% in gas space heating. This comprises a total
fuel consumption reduction of 21.9%. Net savings for each home weatherized average
29.1 MBtu/year.
Reducing energy demand decreases the environmental impacts of energy production.
Weatherization mitigates approximately .23 metric tons of carbon per year in a home heated
primarily with natural gas. This translates into nearly one metric ton (.85) of carbon dioxide
emissions avoided. For homes heated by electricity, the savings are even higher: weatherization
reduces .475 metric tons of carbon annually. Weatherization also reduces emissions of methane
and nitrous oxide.
Weatherization creates non-energy benefits as well, including the following quantifiable
benefits: increased property value, reduced incidence of fire, reduced arrearages, federal taxes
generated from employment, income generated from indirect employment, avoided costs of
unemployment benefits, environmental externalities.
Additional benefits that are difficult to quantify include: improved health and safety
conditions, increased comfort for the occupants, reduction in homelessness and mobility, and
extended lifetime of affordable housing.
For more information on our Weatherization Assistance Program, click
HERE
to download the brochure or contact Sylvester Spears
at (985) 537-7603 (toll free 1-800-794-3160).
The state of Louisiana’s poverty rate is 16.9%—the highest among all 50 states.
Almost one-third (29.8%) of the children (under 18 years of age) live in poverty
in Louisiana. In 2003, the number of families living in poverty in Louisiana was
181,000.
In 2004, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued a charge to reduce poverty in
the state. Hundreds of volunteers from across the state were trained to organize
and facilitate initial Solutions to Poverty conversations at the community level.
It is felt that the interest of the citizens of the state of Louisiana would
best be served by the creation of a multi-faceted network of partnerships and
coalitions designed to address the needs to ending poverty in Louisiana.
The poverty meetings are held once every quarter. We invite citizens of
Lafourche Parish, representatives from community and faith-based organizations as
well as community, business and religious leaders to join us as we discuss the
issue of poverty and organize community conversations which will allow the
citizens of Lafourche the opportunity to express what they feel can reduce
poverty in our parish.
For further information, please contact Denise Hughes
at Lafourche Parish Office of Community Action at (985) 537-7603 (toll free 1-800-794-3160).
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