WESTERN INDIANA COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY INC

Programs

1. Child education - head start and early head start are educational programs that promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families. Our head start and early head start programs provide developmentally appropriate activities with a special focus on helping children develop the early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school. Prenatal education is also provided to pregnant mothers. Wicaa head start and early head start programs have served 494 children and their families across vigo, clay and putnam counties in 2024. Staff recognizes that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. We welcome parent engagement and work as partners with parents to develop a program that best meets the needs of their child. Household income eligibility is based upon 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. To be age eligible for early head start services, children must be younger than 3 years old or a pregnant mother. To be age eligible for head start services, a child must be at least 3 years old, or turn…

   $3,469,693 spent
   41% of program spending

2. Energy assistance - designed to assist low income families with the high cost of home energy. The energy assistance program heating season begins in november and western indiana community action agency, inc. Provided services to approximately 4,632 in 2024.

   $2,544,978 spentof which $1,929,947 as grants
   30% of program spending

3. Food programs - the women, infants, and children program (wic) is a supplemental food and nutrition education program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, postpartum non-breastfeeding mothers (up to six months after delivery), infants and children under five years of age. The wic program provides at no cost to those who qualify, checks for specified nutritious foods such as milk, cereal, fruit juice, eggs, cheese and peanut butter. Breastfeeding support is available, and formula is also available for infants who are not breastfed. Participants receive individual nutrition counseling, nutrition classes, and health care referral. Over 3,000 clients were served in 2024.

   $828,057 spentof which $640,577 as grants
   10% of program spending

4. Weatherization - the weatherization program is designed to insulate and air-seal dwellings in an attempt to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat the home. Additionally, all combustion appliances are thoroughly tested to ensure the health and safety of the occupants. We also perform activities that will attempt to lessen the baseload energy usage. In 2024, 46 h

   $762,166 spentof which $503,984 as grants
   9% of program spending

5. Senior programs - the western indiana community action agency, inc.'s foster grandparent program is dedicated to providing income eligible persons age 55 years and older the opportunity to serve as volunteers in meaningful assignments at local non-profit organizations working with children with defined needs. Helping to enhance the capacity of organizations within our community by providing them with dependable, experienced, loving volunteers to assist with the children they serve. Through networking and partnerships, we are able to share resources to better meet the needs of children and elders of our community. The foster grandparent volunteers receive training to help educate them on a variety of life issues and gain or enhance valuable skills. They have daily interaction with others which helps them to stay mentally alert, physically active, and more involved in social activities, and better connected with their community. Foster grandparent volunteers also receive a small stipend that helps them afford some basic needs that they otherwise would do without. During 2024, 55 individuals enrolled as foster grandparent volunteers and served over 49,000 hours at 16 different…

   $421,330 spentof which $385,152 as grants
   5% of program spending

6. Community services -community services block grant (csbg) funds central management and core activities of the agency in its efforts to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities and to empower low-income families to become self-sufficient. In 202, western indiana community action agency's csbg program provided support to approximately 441 individuals.

   $330,901 spent
   4% of program spending

7. Discretionary

   $137,887 spent
   2% of program spending

The 7 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $8,495,012.