Contents

Message from the Chair and CEO .... 1

Order of Program ...... 2

Menu ...... 3

Keynote Speaker...... 4

Master of Ceremonies ...... 5

Community Action Movement Award Recipients ...... 6

Community Service Award Recipients ...... 10

Staff Service Award Recipients ...... 12

Special Thanks...... 14

Silver Sponsors...... 16

Agency Governance...... 18

2017 ECICAA Annual Report...... 19

Energy Assistance...... 20

Weatherization ...... 21

Community Services Block Grant ... 22

Educational Talent Search...... 23

Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV)....24

Head Start and Early Head Start...... 26

Organizational Profile...... 34 Shaping the Founders, Charter Board Members and Executive Directors ...... 35

Emeritus Governing Board of Future Together Directors...... Back Cover Message froM the Chairperson and Chief exeCutive offiCer

This evening, we celebrate fifty-three years of East Central Illinois Com - munity Action Agency “Shaping the Future Together” one individual and one family at a time. The Agency’s team members are committed to deliver - ing meaningful, high quality services with one goal in mind; eradication of the causes and effects of poverty in Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties. The Agency recognizes that achieving economic self-sufficiency takes hard work and dedication. At one point in everyone’s life, someone or some randy p. Berger organization has played a part in guiding a person or family in their journey Board Chairperson towards a successful and fulfilling life. One’s ability to become a contributing member of the community relies upon equitable access to a high-quality ed - ucation, living wage employment, and affordable housing. Community Ac - tion wants to ensure everyone has an equitable opportunity to have their dreams realized. Community Action partners with numerous private businesses, local, state, and federal government, financial and educational institutions, and local human and social organizations to empower individuals and families to take charge of their lives and socio-economic destinies. The Agency re - mains steadfast in developing innovative programming, continuously en - angéle thibodeaux Burns, ph.d. hances service delivery methods, and constantly builds new partnerships to Chief executive officer maximize its community impact in eradicating generational and situational poverty. Each time an individual person or family moves forward, our entire community is strengthened. Thank you for partnering with Community Ac - tion in “Shaping the Future Together.”

1 Salutation Honorable Scott Eisenhauer, Mayor – City of Danville, Illinois order of Master of Ceremonies Welcome prograM Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer

Introduction of Governing Board of Directors Randy P. Berger, Chairperson

Presentation of Annual Report Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer

Invocation Elder Tyson Parks

Dinner Music Provided by Jazz Collective with special vocalist Danyell Finkley

Community Service Awards Odette Hyatt-Watson, Chief Academic Officer

Honorees Debra Cummings | Tricia D. Teague

Employee Service Awards Chantal Savage Bryant, Chief Operating Officer

Honorees Teena Alpers – 35 Years of Dedicated Service Betty A. Holmes – 35 Years of Dedicated Service Julie Cramer – 40 Years of Dedicated Service Bessie M. Nelson – 40 Years of Dedicated Service

Introduction of Keynote Speaker Dr. LaVias M. Burns Carle Clinic Obstetrician and Gynecologist

Keynote Presentation Dana C. Howard 2018 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee

Community Action Movement Awards Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer

Economic Empowerment Ebun Osaze

Economic Development Leadership Deanna Witzel

Special Acknowledgements 2 Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer Menu

— Hors D’oeuvres — Veggie Eggrolls Italian Beef Crescents Crab Stuffed Mushrooms Barbecue Meatballs Assorted Petite Quiches

— Plated Dinner — Spring Mix Garden Salad – French, Italian, and Ranch Beef Burgundy Shrimp Skewer - Scampi Roasted and Herbed New Potatoes Home-Style Green Beans Dinner Rolls, Whipped Butter, and Strawberry Preserves Coffee, Iced Tea, Lemonade and Water

— Assorted Bistro Desserts — Red Velvet Turtle Cream Pie Peanut Butter Cream Cake Hot Fudge Key Lime Pie Strawberry Cheesecake Cream Pie Chocolate Cream Pie Lemon layer Cake Coffee and Hot Tea

3 our Keynote speaKer

Dana C. Howard is a husband, Dana was selected to the father and humanitarian who Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame has worked hard to achieve Class of 2018. Moreover, of success in both the business the 5.26 million who have ever and sports arenas. Dana is played or coached college highly acclaimed in the foot - football since 1869, only 987 ball world and serves as Presi - players and 214 coaches have dent/CEO and Founder of Zoie been inducted into the Col - LLC, its subsidiary, Zoie Serv - lege Football Hall of Fame, and ices, and Zade Trucking. you can guess who is joining Dana was born and raised this elite club. Dana will be in - in East St. Louis, Illinois. Dana’s ducted into the College Foot - hard work and perseverance ball Hall of Fame in 2018. have been the foundation of After Dana’s NFL football his achievements throughout career, he passed the required his lifetime. Although he had Financial Industry Regulatory an inauspicious beginning in Authority, Inc. (FINRA) exams football, being cut by his head Series 7, Series 66, Series 31, coach in Junior High, Dana Life and Heath and worked as went on to play both line - a financial advisor for several backer and tight end for the East St. Louis Flyers high years. Dana is a current owner of 3 businesses, Zoie school football team. As a senior, he helped the LLC, Zoie Services, and Zade Trucking. Zoie LLC is a school win the 6A state title, receiving Parade All- MBE Civil contracting company with services includ - America and All-state honors. Dana’s high school ac - ing: highway, street and bridge construction, aggre - complishments earned him a football scholarship to gate bases and surfaces, excavating, demolition, the University of Illinois and prior to earning a Bache - grading and drainage services, clearing, grubbing and lor’s of Science Degree in Speech and Communica - landscaping services, concrete services, site prepara - tions and completing courses towards a master’s tion, demolition and drainage. In 2017, Illinois Depart - degree, Dana earned accolades that include: First Time ment of Transportation nominated Zoie LLC as DBE of All-Big Ten Honors for four years, two time Consensus the Year. Zoie Services, which officially starts in April All- American, two time Big Ten Defensive Player of the 2018, is an electric transmission and delivery company year, All-Time Tackling Leader for Illinois, Big Ten Con - with operations in both Metro St. Louis and Chicago. ference inclusion, and the prestigious Dick Butkus These companies were named after Dana’s daughter, Award (1994) which is presented to the best college Zoie. Zade Trucking, Dana’s third owned company, linebacker in the nation and made him become the was named after Dana’s son, Zade, and it provides first Illini football player to win a major national award. trucking services and supports the operations of Zoie Dana still holds the top two spots, and three of the top LLC and Zoie Services. four, in single-game solo tackles at Illinois. Upon grad - Despite his journey to success in business and uating, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and football, Dana has always taken the time to feed his subsequently played in the NFL for five years with innate desire to invest in youth and he uses his athletic teams including: Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams and and business influences as opportunities to make an Philadelphia Eagles. impact on the lives of others. Dana feels that Zoie, LLC

4 “is not just a construction firm, but a dedicated team his personal student-athlete success to his relationship determined to bring growth to our communities.” Zoie, with teachers and coaches who encouraged him to LLC continues to partner with local agencies and con - strive for excellence. He continues to work closely with tinues to provide ongoing financial support. During community youth, and in 2009, Dana co-founded The the NFL off-season, Dana served as a substitute teacher City of Champions Foundation with the mission to within the East St. Louis school district because he felt maintain and improve opportunities for the youth of that in order to make a difference, you had to be visible East St. Louis, Illinois. and the kids had to be able to relate to you. It’s not un - Dana resides in Caseyville, Illinois with his wife common for Dana to be approached by previous stu - Patrice, fellow U of I graduate, and their two children dents who tell him how having an NFL player work with Zoie and Zade. them influenced their lives. Dana attributes much of

Master of CereMonies

Scott Eisenhauer is a life-long issues of homeland security. resident of Danville, and feels In 2003, Eisenhauer launched a blessed to be starting his fourth successful campaign for Mayor of term serving as Mayor of his the City of Danville, a position he hometown. While his face is rec - had dreamed of occupying since ognized by many in the commu - childhood. One of his early chal - nity, his voice is his trademark. He lenges as Mayor was a $3 million has been the "voice" of Vermilion city budget deficit. During his first County sports at Neuhoff Broad - year of office, he and his staff suc - casting for more than 30 years. cessfully eliminated the deficit and Scott has also served as the began getting city government emcee for several local, state, and "plugged in" with online accessi - national pageants, show choir bility. During his time in office, competitions, marching band in - Mayor Eisenhauer developed a vitationals, and community plan for neighborhood revitaliza - events. While no longer a full-time broadcaster, he tion that would remove dilapidated or condemned continues to announce games for WDAN-AM and structures and renovate buildings of historic signifi - the National Junior College Athletic Association Di - cance and potential. He established the Mayor's vision II Men's National Basketball Tournament radio Youth Council, inviting high school students to rep - and television network, as well as for high school and resent the young person's perspective on issues fac - college basketball, football, and baseball. Eisenhauer ing the City and address the age-old complaint that is still an instructor for the Sports Broadcasting sum - "There is nothing for young people to do" in the City mer camp and DACC. of Danville. In another bid to include young people In 1993, Eisenhauer was elected to the Danville in city planning, Mayor Eisenhauer was supportive City Council. He held office until 1998, when he be - of a partnership between the city and the High Tech came the Assistant Director for the Vermilion County Edge project which was comprised of Vermilion Emergency Management Agency writing emer - County high school students whose mission was "to gency operations plans, creating school and busi - be beneficial to the community by helping bring in ness safety plans, and focusing on terrorism and new business and tourism." He also initiated a part -

5 nership with the University of Illinois students in the was named one of Illinois' "Ten Outstanding Young schools of Architecture, Landscape, and Design to Persons" for 2000 in recognition of his years of com - create ideas for improving the area along our river - munity service. He was also named to the South front. His team is also currently working on plans for View Middle School Wall of Fame, the Danville Area transforming the East Main Street Corridor, manag - Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, is a DACC ing storm water, and improving the Danville High Distinguished Alum, and last year was elected as the School corridor just to name a few. His administra - 50th person inducted onto the Danville High School tion has made special effort to improve the infra - Wall of Fame. He remains active in many civic and so - structure throughout the City, including the addition cial organizations, and continues to volunteer for of bike and pedestrian paths. community activities whenever possible. He and his Early in his adult life, Eisenhauer committed to wife Amy enjoy spending time with her two daugh - give 1000 hours each year in volunteer service. He ters, a granddaughter, and their six canine children.

CoMMunity aCtion MoveMent eConoMiC developMent aChieveMent award reCipients — e MpowerMent —

Ebun Croom Osaze and pre-natal examinations and health counseling. earned her Bachelor’s On the average, Ebun is annually responsible for 5,700 degree in Biology and patient visits. Psychology from the University of Jack - Ebun holds multiple medical certifications which sonville, AL in 1997. She include: then went on to com - ASCCP Certification for Colposcopy 2013-Present plete a Physician Assis - IUD/Nexplanon Certification 2013-Present tant Program at Cook NCCPA Board Certification 2001-Present County Hospital in 2001. ACLS 1999-Present Ebun now serves as the PALS 1999-Present Women Veterans Pro - CPR/BLS 1993-Present gram Manager VAIHCS in Danville, IL. VAIHCS Professional Organizations executes comprehen - • Illinois Association of Physician Assistants sive planning for women’s health issues that improves • American Association of Physician Assistants the overall quality of care provided to women Veter - • Association of Physician Assistants in Obstetrics ans and achieves program goals and outcomes. Under and Gynecology Ebun’s leadership this unit has been the ORH Tele - • American Society for Colposcopy and health Grant for Women’s Programs FY2013. Ebun Cervical Pathology stays busy, since 2002, she has also served as a Family • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Medicine Physician Assistant with Carle Clinic in Danville, IL, where she is responsible for providing a Teaching broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. Preceptor to Residents, Medical/PA Students Ebun also performs physical, gynecological, well-child, University of Illinois, St. Louis University, Midwestern

6 University 2001-Present • 3x Triple Star 2015/2016/2017 Preceptor to Nurse Practitioner Students • Court of Sharing Top 20 x4 Illinois Wesleyan University 2015-Present • $350,000 Unit Club 2015 • $500,000 Unit Club 2016 Sexual Development/Education • $550,000 Unit Club 2017 District 118 Middle Schools 2013-Present • Currently On-Target for Argentina Trip • 43 Career Gold Medals for Recruiting Sexual Education Disease Prevention • Unit Milestones: Represented in 22 States Danville Area Community College (Middle College) • #1 Unit Building at Cincinnati Career Conference 2017 2015 • #3 Unit Building St. Charles Career Conference 2016 Honors and Activities • #3 Unit Building Career Conference Chicago 2017 VA BRAVO Award- 2013, 2016, 2017 • Featured In 2 Company Videos Illinois Department of Public Health Scholarship Re - • “Holiday Open House” December 2015 cipient • “Skin Care Extras TimeWise Repair® Selling Tips” August 2017 Publications • I-CAN CAMPAIGN NY Times Square Achiever 2017 Osaze, Ebun. (March 10, 2013). “Rethinking Veteran • Sales Force Training Video Culture…That was then, this is Now” News Gazette. • “Transformational Team Building” March 2018 Nationwide Osaze, Ebun. (August 13, 2008). “Inhale, Breathe Easier, • Currently #2 Unit In State of IL March 2018 Asthma Story” Commercial News Pages A1-A2.Fea - • Travel: Several US Cities and First International Trip tured in Progressive Black News November 2014. to Colombia, South America March, 2015

Black-Owned Business ‘A Life Changing Decision” Ebun is a successful healthcare professional. She is also a driven business owner. Nevertheless, Ebun is Successful MaryKay Business Owner passionate about her family which includes her hus - • Director of the VISION Unit band Asim, son Jabari and daughter Emari. But she • 5 Career Cars Qualified To Date also finds time to volunteer and mentor young girls • Currently Cadillac XT5 2016 and aspiring entrepreneurs. Ebun truly cares about • Dean’s List #1 December Class of 2013!!! others and her community. Our community is en - • Magic Area Miss Go Give 2015 riched because of Ebun’s dedication and commitment • National Court of Sales 2014/2015/2016/2017 to delivering high quality healthcare to all, and for her • 2nd Runner up to the Queen Emerald Division passion for inspiring others to pursue entrepreneurial • National Court of Sharing 2014 endeavors. Shaping the Future Together

7 — l eadership —

Deanna Witzel began Leadership Advocacy and Volunteerism her career with Mc - • Global Leadership Summit (GLS), Major Sponsor, Donald’s in 1982 as a 2015 - Present crew person in Peoria, • Balloons Over Vermilion, Major Sponsor, 2016 IL. She loved the fast- and 2017 paced atmosphere • Festival of Trees, Emerald Sponsor, Past 17 years and challenges that • Step Up Initiative Chair (Focus: Family/Parenting, working at McDon - Mental Health, and Substance Abuse) ald’s presented. • Danville Housing Authority Board Director Deanna quickly rose • Vermilion County Board Director through the ranks • Danville Area Community College Foundation completing the crew Board Director trainer and manage - • Danville Schools District 118 Foundation Director ment programs. In • Director and Marketing and Public 1987 she moved to Relations and Personnel Committee Member Las Vegas, NV for an • Vermilion Advantage-Director, Executive opportunity as a McDonald’s Corporation Assistant Committee Member, Past Chairperson Manager. Shortly after Deanna arrived she was pro - • Previous Boards: moted to Restaurant Manager. During her tenure as - Provena/Presence Health Foundation a corporate employee in Las Vegas, Deanna wore (15 years) many different hats, including; Restaurant Manager - Ronald McDonald House Board and Grant and Supervisor to all ten McDonald’s on the Las Committee Vegas Strip. She also served as the Human Resources - Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Marketing lead for over sixty plus McDonald’s - Danville High School Athletic and Music Restaurants in the Las Vegas area. It was during this Boosters time that Deanna met and married Don Witzel. Deanna always dreamed about owning her own Educational Committment McDonald’s and in 1999 that dream came to fruition. • The Witzels are Charter Members of the Vermilion That year Don, Deanna, and their two children, Rob County “Finish First” Program. and Katie moved to Illinois and purchased the four • The Witzels are passionate about all local commu- existing Vermilion County McDonald’s. Over the past nity programs and initiatives that educate or em- eighteen years, the Witzel family have acquired two ploy citizens more restaurants and have become well respected • The Witzels are committed to investing in college for their active involvement throughout the commu - scholarship funds of their employees nity. • The Witzels have also assisted their employees in Deanna has been an influential community leader maximizing usage of the tuition reimbursement through active volunteerism, advocacy and philan - program, “Archways to Opportunity.” thropy. Listed below are a few of the many events, activities and organizations Deanna has supported. Leadership in Philanthropy She believes if you support individual citizens in im - Deanna and her husband have lead the facilitation proving their lives, they will successfully move for - of over half a million dollars in Ronald McDonald ward; and the entire community shall be House Charities (RMCH) grant funds having been strengthened. awarded to our local community to benefit the

8 Danville Public School Foundation, Hoopeston Multi Broadcasters Association for the radio promotion tie- Agency, Danville Public Library, Boys and Girls Club, in with the Hometown Stars McDonald’s – Atlanta, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Danville Family YMCA, Am - Georgia, April 2006. Deanna was one of four bucs Playground for Everyone, Fellowship of Chris - Owner/Operators asked to speak at the McDonald’s tian Athletes, Presence USMC Foundation, World Wide Convention Marketing Session in 2006. Hoopeston’s Project Playground, Lincoln Park, The Witzels received the Leading Edge Operator Danville District 118 Track Field, DACC Hoopeston “LEO” Award in 2007. In October 2008, Deanna was Satellite campus and Oakwood Playground improve - invited to speak at the Kentucky Broadcasters Asso - ments. ciation Meeting regarding McDonald’s and Radio Station promotional and community tie-ins. Deanna Awards and Recognition received Danville’s First Citizen Award in 2008. This Deanna has worked relentlessly with Don, her part - is the most prestigious award a community member ner in business and in life to provide excellence in can receive from AMBUCS. March 2015 the Witzels service to her customers and employees. The Witzels received the Small Business of the Year Award have earned the Ronald Award in 2002 and 2015 – from the City of Danville. the highest award McDonald’s gives to owner/oper - ators for their community involvement! They have Family First also earned the Illinois Principals Association Friend Deanna is very proud that both of her children have of Education Award 2003. The Witzels’ Community learned the importance of being involved and giving Spotlight Program in partnership with Neuhoff back to their community. Rob currently serves on Broadcasting received the International Broadcast - the FCA board and the Palmer Arena board. He is ers Association Award in 2004. Deanna received also very involved with all activities their family busi - the Ten Outstanding Young People of Illinois ness supports as well as always looking for ways to Award from the Illinois Jaycees in 2005. The Witzels better the lives of their employees. Katie is very ac - were also awarded the Illinois Tourism- Best of Show tive in School District 118 as a first grade teacher. Award for their Partnership with the Danville Area She recently implemented an “Adopt a Cop” program Convention and Visitors Bureau for our Hometown at Southwest Elementary School, coaches scholastic Stars McDonald’s concept in March 2006. The Witzels bowl and track, and serves on the YMCA board. earned the Herb Scott Award from the International

Past Community Action Movement Economic Development Achievement Awardees

Vicki L. Haugen — 2017 Richard L. (Dick) Brazda — 2017 Mr. Louis Mervis — 2016 Mayor Bill Crusinberry — 2016 Thomas J. Chamberlain — 2016 Mr. Mark Denman — 2015 Dr. Alice Marie Jacobs — 2015 Dr. David L. Fields — 2015 9 CoMMunity deBra CuMMings erviCe Debra Cummings is a native of Danville, Illinois. s She comes from a large, loving family where she was the 10th child born to the late Lorenzo and award Ora Mae Reed. Debbie, as she is affectionately called, graduated from Danville High School in reCipients 1975. She was married to the late Roy Cummings – the love of her life – for 25 blissful years. From this union, Debbie was blessed with three won - derful children; Mario, Angela, and Roy, II who is better known as Captain. Debbie has occupied leadership positions in various businesses and churches over the past 40 years in the Danville community. For more than 17 years, she served as the Lead Clerk Assistant/Trainer of new employees at Walgreens National Disbursing Office. She was the Owner and Director of the Loving Hands Childcare Center. Extremely active in the faith-based community, Debbie served at the Assistant Clerk, Secretary and Treasurer of the Western Di - “I am passionate vision Freewill Baptist: Terre Haute District Conference Incorporate. She was the about my current former Youth Choir Director at St. James Freewill Baptist Church; the former Youth and Adult Bible Study Teacher at New Kingdom Christian Church; and the position at Trillium former Youth Director at New Jerusalem Church of Jesus Christ World Outreach because I have the Ministries (COJCWOM). Debbie also holds a Ministerial License. Currently, Debbie serves in many capacities at her current church; New opportunity to meet Jerusalem COJCWOM. She is a Youth Advisor and Teacher; a Minister and the Co - a variety of different ordinator of the Women’s Ministry, Praise and Worship, and choir. She is the Vice President of Our Mother's Daughter's; a newly established organization geared people of diverse toward assisting at-risk young women in our community. Professionally, Debbie backgrounds.” is the Recruiter and Staffing Coordinator at Trillium Staffing. Despite all of her numerous personal and spiritual obligations, Debbie is a life-long adult learner who is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education from Danville Area Community College. Debbie shares, “I am passionate about my current position at Trillium be - cause I have the opportunity to meet a variety of different people of diverse backgrounds. Every day I am interviewing new field staff who may have the op - portunity to represent our company in addition to providing for their families; which in return helps spur the local economic. What is most rewarding is to see our employee’s faces or hear the sound in their voices when they’ve been offered a permanent position with our client or extended a job offer for direct hire.” Debbie’s hard work and continued efforts significantly impact the profes - sional livelihood of the clients she serves. She cares about providing her clients with the utmost qualified candidates for the position, timely feedback, and the highest level of quality service. Shaping the Future Together 10 triCia d. t eague

Tricia D. Teague is a business and life multiple positions, starting as a Produc - coach, a speaker, and certified by the En - tion Specialist and working her way trepreneurial Learning Initiative as an through the ranks to Technology Liason, entrepreneurial mindset educator. With supporting the entire product line for its her classes and website, “Think like an healthcare and human resources division, Entrepreneur,” Ms. Teague speaks and Project Manager in its support organiza - teaches on entrepreneurship and many tion, and later Technical Product Manager other topics relating to business and for its Financial Services division where leadership. Through her participation in she managed its online offerings for cus - the Hive Global Leaders Program , Ms. tomers in the United States and England. Teague was asked to speak and facilitate In addition to starting the Progressive Hive Africa in April 2017 and again in Black News when she moved back to October 2017 in Nigeria. It was the first Danville in 2012, Ms. Teague also became Hive Global Leaders event outside of the United States. heavily involved in the community, volunteering with Ms. Teague is also a writer with a monthly column in several organizations and serving on several boards. Her the Danville Commercial-News and the author of the board memberships include: Laura Lee Fellowship House book Football is Just like Shopping . She founded where she is the current president and former treasurer, Plethora Publishing, Inc. , in 2002. In June 2012 the com - Danville Public Library where she served as vice presi - pany began publishing the Progressive Black News , a dent, Boys and Girls Club of Danville where she served as Danville-based newspaper focusing on positive news in president, Danville Black Chamber of Commerce where and about Danville’s African-American community. Al - she served as founding president, and Vermilion Advan - though the newspaper was sunset in December 2017, tage. She also volunteered as a big sister with Big Broth - Ms. Teague’s publishing business continues to provide ers Big Sisters of Danville, as a tutor at the Boys and Girls book consulting and publishing services to authors. Club, and in fundraising campaigns for Danville Family Ms. Teague has a bachelor’s degree in Communica - YMCA. tions-News from Bradley University and a master’s in Ms. Teague is a member of Danville’s Philadelphia Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Baptist Church and also a 25-year member of Alpha Management. Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the country’s oldest histori - She began her professional career at the Peoria Jour - cally black Greek organization founded in 1908 with one nal-Star in the sports department, covering high school of its tenets being service to all mankind. Despite Ms. sports and completing layouts. She left the newspaper Teague’s busy schedule, she takes time to educate youth industry for a corporate career in book and electronic about the opportunities and satisfaction of working in publishing, working for 13 years at Wolters Kluwer, an in - the professional fields of journalism and communica - ternational legal publisher. In her tenure at WK she held tions, or embarking upon entrepreneurship.

Past Community Service Awardees

Ellen Luhman — 2017 Mrs. Ellie Stolz — 2016 Neil and Betty Porter — 2017 Dr. Phillip Conn — 2016 Tina Dodd RDH — 2017 Ms. Niccole Clements — 2016 Jen Hendrickson — 2017 Mrs. Carla M. Boyd — 2015 Frederick Whitman — 2017 Mr. Jim Ritenour — 2015 Peter Blackman — 2017 Ms. Bailey Brenner — 2015 11 staff serviCe award reCipients

Teena Alpers , Director of Ed - for 11 years, then became a Supervisor of Curriculum. ucation in the Head Start Pro - Through hard work, unwavering perseverance, and gram, has worked for East support from the Agency and her family, Teena has Central Illinois Community earned a Master’s Degree and holds a leadership posi - Action Agency for 35 years. tion within the organization. She also serves as a Her personal and professional Board Member on the Illinois State and Region V Head journey serves as a living tes - Start Association since 2014. tament of the power of Com - Teena has always been an optimist; viewing the munity Action. She was first glass as half full in even the most dire of situations. She introduced to the Agency as is a natural problem-solver who offers a solution based a Head Start parent with no approach when facing challenges. In the truest formal education in 1982. In 1983, Teena began em - essence of the Agency’s mission and vision, Teena is ployment with Community Action in the Head Start committed to working as hard and long as required to Program teaching children for 18 years, but realized meet the needs of the families she serves, fellow team when she could no longer get on the floor with the members she leads and to fulfill the Agency’s organi - children; she needed to continue her education in zational goals and objectives. But not on Thursdays; order to advance within the Agency. She was pro - which is reserved for date night with Chris, her hus - moted as a Special Needs/Mental Health Coordinator band of 30 years this June.

Betty A. Holme s began her Community Service Block Grant Coordinator and held 35-year journey as an em - that position for five years. ployee for East Central Illinois Later, Betty expressed a desire to work on the front Community Action on De - line with families and became a Head Start Family Ad - cember 12, 1983. Ms. Holmes vocate for four years. The Head Start Family Advocate started out as a Clerk position allowed Betty to help families move toward Typist/Intake Worker for the self-sufficiency by assessing the families’ needs and of - first three years of her jour - fering goal setting and budgeting tools. Betty ex - ney. She later transitioned to plained she was able to return back to school in 2009, the Director of Housing; over - earning an Associate Degree in Marketing. This accom - seeing the Agency’s three plishment is a personal testament of her experiences emergency shelters and eight rental properties. Prior and opportunities at the Agency. to the end of the Housing Program, she fondly remem - Betty returned to serve as the Executive Secretary bers the rewarding benefits the position afforded her and continued to work in that capacity for 13 years; while working with the families during various emer - upon the request of then Chief Executive Officer, gency circumstances. Betty had the opportunity to Dwight Lucas. Due to her passion and love for em - transition from Director of Housing, becoming the powering families, Betty returned to the Head Start Agency’s Executive Secretary for six years. Although Program assuming the role of Family Advocate. She she thoroughly enjoyed the role as Executive Secre - proclaims, “My love for the families is what has kept me tary, Betty took advantage of the opportunity to motivated for the past 35 years.” progress with the Agency and accepted the role as the

12 While interacting and watch - tions. She fondly remembers working in the Home ing her niece and nephews Base component before it was actually designated as early in life, Julie Cramer rec - such. This afforded her the opportunity to observe the ognized her calling. In Au - home environment of her students and gain clearer gust 1978, she purposely insight of the challenges and barriers each family may began to walk in that calling have been experiencing. This experience provided and started employment at Julie with a unique perspective and intensified her re - East Central Illinois Commu - solve to help change the lives of the children she en - nity Action Agency’s First countered. Presbyterian Church Head As she celebrates 40 years with Community Action, Start Center and subse - Julie attributes her longevity to the kids. They are what quently she would serve from the Fair Oaks Housing drive her to keep persevering. With each passing day, Complex. She and co-teacher Jessica Smith were com - her interaction with the children instills patience in her mitted to enhancing the educational experiences of which renews her strength when she thinks she’s tired. the children they instructed daily and also were dedi - Teaching is Julie’s passion and it warms her heart daily cated to improving the lives of the parents that they as she watches as each child enters her classroom so engaged with as well. eager to learn and some who are not so eager. She The Head Start Program allowed Julie to ade - knows that she is charged with making their experi - quately balance her life as a wife and mother; while ence that day a memorable one and she does her best moving into a career that she enjoyed. The daily to do that. schedule made it possible for her to still play an inte - Julie’s teaching career has spanned over genera - gral role in her children’s lives. Julie was also a Head tions. She is now witnessing former students enter her Start Parent. She was able to drop off and pick up her classroom each morning bringing in their own chil - children from school and have her summers free to dren. While many changes have occurred since the enjoy with her own children. This work-life balance beginning of her journey, Julie’s advice to others is “to even allowed Julie to return to school and earn an As - remember your purpose, refrain from getting caught up sociate Degree in Early Childhood Education. in the drama, and maintain focus on the children. Over the past 40 years, Julie has witnessed the Change has to happen, adjust and simply move forward.” evolution of the Head Start Program and its many op -

Bessie M. Nelson began her 40- program to the love for children, classroom activities, year journey as an employee for working with the families and a rich bond with co-work - East Central Illinois Community ers in a family orientated atmosphere; such specials Action Agency on August 22, bonds were developed with countless co-workers over 1978. Ms. Nelson was first intro - the years. duced to Head Start through Since coming to the Agency, Ms. Nelson has attended her children’s enrollment and a number of Head Start professional development con - participation in the program. ferences and earned her CDA. In 2001, she returned back The experience prompted Ms. to school and earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Child - Nelson to volunteer in the class - hood Education. Although Ms. Nelson’s career has al - room and later become an em - lowed her to witness a transition in personalities in both ployee. Bessie’s career began at the Head Start Fair Oaks the children and parents, her love for them has not Administrative site and she has worked at different Head changed. “The Community Action Head Start program is Start sites such as: Lincoln School and Northeast. just like working with family and I cannot imagine life Ms. Nelson attributes her success with the Head Start without the children.”

13 speCial thanKs

silent auction donors * Jamie Bann Alpha and Omega Counseling Center – Kerrick Kiley Kea Cunningham AMC Village Mall 6 – Dale French La Potosina Mexican Restaurant Anchor Florist Lakeshore Applewood Foods Latoz Hardware, Inc. Arby’s Little Nugget Beth English-Amos LongHorn Steakhouse Buen Appetito Monica Beasley Buffalo Wild Wings Monical’s Pizza Café 13 Montana Mikes Café Cabana Mr. Greg Watson and Mrs. Odette Watson Cahill’s O’ Charley’s Carpet Weavers Olive Garden Chantal Savage Bryant Outback Steakhouse Chipotle Pam Lane, Park Lane Jewelry Christine Fitzsimmons Papa Murphy’s Cindy Cloutier Penn Station City of Danville Randy Berger Consuelo Shelato Red Doot Cakes Cracker Barrel Rich’s Deluxe Restaurant Danville Dans Shovelhead Saloon Danville Wholesale Sleep Inn Dr. Jaya Nelson Southgate Salon Drs. LaVias and Angéle Burns Spanky’s Banquet Hall Edible Arrangements® Stone Mountain Café El Toro Stoney’s Five Star Family Restaurant Teen Alpers Fujiyama Steakhouse Tori Brigham George and Ilda Hyatt Village Garden Gross Burgers Walmart Illini Skateland Wylde Wood Cellars

14 table sponsors * decoration Committee 21st Century Christian Worship Center Odette Hyatt – Watson Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center Tameka K. Hall Chantal Savage Bryant Collett Street Church of Christ photography and videography CRIS Healthy-Aging Center Andrew Dudich, Owner/Operator Danville Area Community College Wardenclyffe Media Danville Family YMCA Danville School District 118 Music provided By: Debra Cummings Jazz Collective Drs. LaVias and Angéle Burns with Special Guest Vocalist – Danyell Finkley Faulstich Printing Company Housing Authority of the City of Danville, IL graphic design Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies Jeff Summers, Graphic Designer Iroquois Federal Media One Visual Arts Mervis Industries New Directions Outpatient Addictions Treatment Center printers Woodard's Computing Services Faulstich Printing

annual dinner planning Committee venue Cicely M. Dowell, Chairperson Turtle Run Golf & Banquet Center Teena Alpers Maggie Smith, Banquet Manager Tori Brigham Dedicated & Talented Staff Sarah Brown Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. Cindy Cloutier Kea Cunningham Danyell Finkley N. Christine Fitzsimmons Nija Givens Tameka K. Hall Bronwen Hernandez Odette Hyatt-Watson Chantal Savage Bryant Connie Strawser

*As of March 7, 2018

15 silver sponsors

Family Owned & Operated Don and Deanna Witzel Proud Supporters of Community Action

Visit one of our six locations in Danville, Oakwood, Hoopeston, and Georgetown

16 silver sponsors

17 agenCy governanCe

Governing Board of Directors randy p. Berger - Chairperson elder tyson parks - vice Chairperson alderman Brenda Brown - treasurer ana nasser - secretary

Robert Boyd Jeffrey Burgoyne Jacquilyn A. Collins Courtny Gaston Dr. Alicia Geddis Michael Goodyear Robert J. Harwood Joseph Cornell Michael Marron Jennifer Modest Alderman Thomas Stone

Head Start Policy Council Joseph Cornell – Chairperson sarah hornback – vice Chairperson Janay smith – secretary/treasurer

Amber Hamblin Aniesha Walker Ashley Amigoni Ashley Walker Austin Betourne Claudia Meraz Courtny Gaston Darcy Herriott Elder Tyson Parks Gina McGuire Helena Pacheco Jahnell Northern Jennifer McGrown Jennifer Sanford Latonya Hardimon Stephanie Potts Tiffany Lynch

Mission Provide information, training, education, and other services that engage and empower fami - lies and communities to become self-sufficient

Vision East Central Illinois Community Action Agency is a premier organization, which fully under - stands and responds to the social economics of the families, individuals, and communities we humbly serve. By working with our community partners and accessing a diversified stream of funding, we will serve our customers and our neighbors with compassion, inclu - siveness, and respect.

18 Contents

Energy Assistance...... 20

Weatherization ...... 21

Community Services Block Grant ... 22

Educational Talent Search...... 23

Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV)....24

Head Start and Early Head Start...... 26

Organizational Profile...... 34

Founders, Charter Board Members and Executive 2017 Directors ...... 35 Emeritus Governing Board of annual report Directors...... Back Cover

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency

Serving families in Ford, Iroquois, Member of and Vermilion counties in Illinois

PRESENTED BY Randy P. Berger — Chairperson Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D. — CEO

56 North Vermilion Street | Danville IL 61832 Telephone (217) 554-9100 | Facsimile (217) 431-0725

www.comaction.org

19 energy assistanCe

The East Central Illinois on utility usage with the Community Action participating utility. The Agency’s Low Income head of household is re - Home Energy Assistance quired to pay a portion of Program (LIHEAP) helps the budget bill and the households to combat State will pay a monthly the extreme costs associ - benefit amount up to a ated with brutally cold maximum amount. PIPP winters and hot, humid customers pay approxi - summers. Each year mately 6% of their total throughout the Agency’s household income. Last Tri-County service area – year, 409 households were Ford, Iroquois, and Ver - enrolled in the PIPP pro - milion counties – thou - gram. This resulted in sands of families struggle $353,000 in benefits to the with the high cost of home energy bills and face the Agency’s customers. stress of disconnection threats from their energy LIHEAP has a component in which, a household providers. Families living in poverty pay almost facing imminent disconnection or are actually discon - 33% of their total household income towards heat - nected from their energy source can apply for Recon - ing and cooling their homes. nection Assistance (RA). The amount of assistance is East Central Illinois Community Action Agency pro - based on the customer’s specific utility company’s re - vided energy assistance to over 8,900 households this quirement for restoration. A household may qualify to past year. The goal of the LIHEAP is to assist the most receive a one-time assistance for each utility for a max - vulnerable individuals in our population. Therefore, imum combined total of $1,000. In 2017, there was a program and income eligible senior citizens, individu - total of 994 RA payments distributed; adding up to als with disabilities, and households with young chil - over $413,000 toward the reconnection energy serv - dren are the program’s first priority. Following the ices to the Agency’s most vulnerable households. priority period, all other income-qualified households The Agency’s LIHEAP Team Members concerted ef - are eligible to apply for services. forts to assure that all customers who were eligible for Once households are approved, they receive a assistance were accommodated. Comprehensive out - one-time credit which is applied to both electric and reach initiatives were developed, coordinated, and im - gas suppliers. This Direct Vendor Payment (DVP) plemented with the Agency’s community partners to amount is contingent upon the number of individuals offer LIHEAP to those most in need. Some of our com - dwelling in the home and its primary heating source. munity partners include, but are not limited to, Hoope - There has been a total of 7,981 DVP payments distrib - ston’s Multi-Agency, CRIS Healthy-Aging, Deer Creek, uted; translating to over $2.5 million applied to cus - Vermilion House, Immanuel Senior Residences, Hous - tomer’s energy bills this program year. Another energy ing Authority of the City of Danville, and City of assistance option is the Percentage of Income Pay - Georgetown. For customers who are homebound, ment Plan (PIPP). The main objective of the PIPP is to team members conduct LIHEAP intake hime visits. The make energy bills more affordable and to help main - Agency strives to meet customers where they are and tain home energy service throughout the year. By en - ensure service delivery is as convenient and seamless rolling in the PIPP, the head of household agrees to as possible. enter into a monthly budget bill payment plan based 20 weatherization

The Illinois Home Weatherization Program (IHWAP) ployment and increases savings on energy bills for provides a wide variety of energy efficiency measures homeowners. that encompass the building’s envelope, its heating The benefits of weatherization begin with reduc - and cooling systems, its electrical system, and electric - ing the energy bills of recipients for a long period of ity consuming appliances. Upon qualification and time. Some measures, such as insulating walls or roofs, based upon a home energy audit, the program can for example, can provide savings for the lifetime of a provide a household energy saving services such as house—30 years or more. Other measures, such as attic insulation, heating system repairs, new energy making heating or cooling equipment more efficient, star qualified refrigerators and freezers, air sealing, flu - will provide savings for 10–15 years. On average, the orescent light bulbs, and more to ensure optimal effi - value of the weatherization improvements is 2.2 times ciency. greater than the cost. According to the U.S. Depart - Weatherization today comprises a comprehensive ment of Energy, household receiving weatherization series of energy efficiency measures that are based on can save more than $400 annually on their fuel costs. sophisticated analyses of individual homes that iden - Community Action has weatherized over 1,750 tifies cost effective energy efficiency retrofit measures. homes during the years 2004 to 2017. The 2017 Community Action ensures that home energy audits weatherization program budget for weatherizing are conducted by State certified specialists with the homes was $604,893. During this program year, the diagnostic tools to properly evaluate homes for heat Agency has weatherized fewer homes however – due loss and weatherization needs. Because of this rigor - to programmatic enhancements – we are able to in - ous approach and analyses backing it up, weatheriza - vest close to $22,000 worth of energy saving measures tion has become a leader in advancing home energy into approved homes. There were a total of 8 homes science. East Central has partnered with contractors weatherized in the Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion from sister Community Action Agency’s to perform County this past program year. work on approved homes, which reduces local unem -

21 The Agency is committed to equipping its most vulnerable citizens with the es - CoMMunity sential tools and resources necessary to achieve economic self–sufficiency. The array of meaningful programs and initiatives offered through the Community Services Block Grant are designed to address and combat the root causes and serviCes effects poverty. Through an annual comprehensive needs and community as - sessment, services are tailored specifically at the grassroots level to meet the in - BloCK dividualized needs of the citizens residing in Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties. grant To continuously strengthen the lives of the residents and the communities we serve is what Community Action is determined to accomplish. Education, Employment, and Equitable, Affordable Homes are a means to which economic independence is achieved. Community Action through its CSBG funds have de - veloped initiatives that work interdependently of each other to effectively tackle the problems that prevent significant growth in these areas. Team members, conduct holistic assessments on households, analyze their complex needs, and design action plans with applicable services that will aid in the elimination of barriers to increase the likelihood that individuals will reach their desired out - comes. Over the past year, the Agency endeavored to utilize CSBG services as con - duits for families to realize economic self-sufficiency; providing families with proactive, resiliency strategies. The Community Services Block Grant has incor - porated financial empowerment and finance building activities into its service delivery process. Households applying for assistance to alleviate a crisis are re - quired to attend Financial Empowerment workshops prior to being granted ap - proval for assistance. The workshops were facilitated by certified financial empowerment specialists. These sessions will afford customers the opportunity to examine their finances, pull and review their personal credit reports, and pre - pare a budget that will help them to better control their finances instead of their finances controlling them. The Agency continued to leverage CSBG economic and human resources with dollars from local financial institutions and foundations to create feasible avenues for the homeownership. The Gateway to Homeownership came to fruition. This program offered professional housing education, financial coach - ing, and income management services to families, with low to moderate income, in Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion counties, who were interested and motivated to purchase their first home. The Gateway to Homeownership initiative provided a six-week informative, interactive workshop series as well as one-on-one coun - seling sessions, to prepare households for the home-buying process. Topics ranging from Assessing Home Readiness, Budgeting and Credit, Financing a home, to the Importance of Community Involvement were facilitated by the Agency’s certified homeownership educators. Community partners were strengthened due to the active engagement of city and county government, fi - nancial and insurance industries, local utilities, and the real estate arena; these stakeholders lent their valuable time and vast expertise to the program. Through educational endeavors, employment initiatives, crisis management, financial empowerment, housing education, leadership and personal develop - ment activities, and nutritional interventions, Community Action is committed to reducing poverty in our local communities with creative and sustainable 22 methods. eduCational talent searCh prograM

The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency’s able to explore Math and Sciences projects while Educational Talent Search Program is dedicated to strengthening their math and science skills and helping youth aim high in academic achievement in knowledge. These types of high-quality services pre - preparation for their post-secondary futures. The TRIO pare ETS students for future employment opportuni - Educational Talent Search Program (ETS) is a federally ties. funded college opportunity program. ETS services en - Among the 675 ETS students served, 589 students courage and inspire students from “at-risk and low in - were low-income and first-generation college poten - come” families to attend and remain in college after tials; 31 students were low income only, 42 students graduating from high school because education is a were first-generation college potentials only and 13 sure path out of poverty and a great entry into suc - students were in the “other needs” category. ETS cessful employment. served students from diverse backgrounds: 46 His - In 2017, the ETS Program served 675 high school panic and Latino; 1 American Indian; 4 Asian; 390 and middle school students. 99.5% of all ETS partici - African American; 175 White and 59 Bi-Racial. pants in grades 6 through 11 were successfully pro - In 2017, ETS successfully transitioned 100 high- moted to the next year and 98% of its 2017’s high school seniors into post-secondary opportunities. 53 school seniors entered college and 2% entered a mil - seniors entered Danville Area Community College, 9 itary branch. 100% of ETS’s high school seniors ap - seniors entered four-year Historically Black Universi - plied for financial aid and one ETS senior graduated as ties, 36 seniors entered Division-One four year state Danville High Schools’ 2017 Valedictorian. universities and 2 seniors entered the military to ETS services provide an investment in our commu - proudly serve their country. The ETS program empow - nities’ at-risk youth. In 2017, the ETS team provided a ers youth through education as a key component to diverse set of high-quality workshops that enhanced future successes in employment. the students’ skills in the areas of: Study and Test Preparation Skills, Academic and Career Selection and Goal Setting, Academic Monitoring, Career Explo - ration, ACT and SAT Test Preparation, College Admis - sion Process, and Financial Aid Application Completion Assistance. ETS provided an educational assessment on each enrolled student in the program. The educational assessment is used to identify what services would prepare each student for college en - trance and persistence. Throughout 2017, the ETS team met with enrolled students in their schools to provide on-site group workshops and one-on-one ac - ademic mentoring sessions. The program provides after school services, parent meetings, college-tours, summer camps and cultural field trips as a means of keeping enrolled students and parents actively en - gaged in planning their future academic experiences and careers. Also essential to the ETS program is the empowering of ETS female students. In 2017, the pro - gram collaborated and enrolled ETS female students in summer STEM camps. ETS female participants were 23 2017 M aternal , i nfant , and early Childhood hoMe visiting prograM (MieChv) r eport

The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visit - munity Action Staff and other community support sys - ing Program (MIECHV) is another unique educational tems. service within East Central Illinois Community Action MIECHV Home Visitors work individually with each Agency. MIECHV uses the Early Head Start Based family to set goals. In 2017, there were 50 new goals Model as an evidence-based design that endeavors to: set by families. Goal categories and number of goals strengthen and improve school readiness skills, pro - set in each include: Basic Essentials 4 - 8%; Child De - vide health based screenings, improve parent and velopment 1 - 2%; Education 4 - 8%; Employment 3 - child bonding, and identify and provide comprehen - 6%; Health & Medical Care 1 - 2 %; Parenting Behav - sive services to improve outcomes for families who are ior and Relationships with Children 16 - 32%; Rela - at-risk. Weekly 90 minute home visits are provided to tionships with Family and Friends 3 - 6%; 20 enrolled families that are comprised of infants, tod - Relationships with service providers 6 - 12%; Other 12 dlers and pregnant women. MIECHV purposes to pro - - 24%. At the end of 2017 reporting period, 7 goals vide a pathway for families that will lead them out of (14%) had been completed by the families, 39 addi - poverty. tional goals (78%) were identified as still in the process In 2017, the program served 21 families: 24 chil - of progressing. dren and 4 pregnant mothers. Four healthy births MIECHV Home Visitors also provide families with were welcomed during the 2017 program year. needed resource referrals. In 2017, a total of 25 refer - MIECHV provides services to families of various rals were made for MIECHV families in the following backgrounds. Of the 24 children served, 2 families areas of Dental Services 6; Early Childhood Interven - were of Hispanic origin, 8 families were African Amer - tion 1; Mental Health Services 4; Transportation, Li - ican and 11 families were White. Families from various cense/insurance 1; Tobacco Cessation 1; Domestic communities in Vermilion County welcomed home- Violence Services 1; Other (Food and Clothing Re - visits: 14 families in the City of Danville, 3 families in sources) 11; and utility bill assistance (LIHEAP) 21 (all the City of Hoopeston, and 1 family in each of the families served). towns of Rossville, Sidell, Oakwood, Tilton, and Georgetown. A total of 334 home visits were con - Central Intake: The MIECHV program recruitment ducted in the year 2017. and referral must be conducted through a Coordi - At the age of 30 months, children begin a transi - nated Intake (CI) process. This service is provided by tion process that lasts 6 months. Once a child in the Aunt Martha’s Clinic in Danville, Illinois. Any customer, MIECHV program turns 36 months, they are transi - who is interested in MIECHV services, must first com - tioned into the Head Start Center-Based program. In plete an initial intake application with the Coordinated 2017, seven children were transitioned from the Intake provider who then refers that family to the ap - MIECHV program into the Head Start Centers as a con - propriate MIECHV provider that was identified for the tinuation of their school- readiness preparation. family. This Coordinated Intake process differs signifi - MIECHV serves children with all abilities. In 2017, cantly from the Early Head Start recruitment and en - the program served 4 children with Special Needs. rollment process. There lies the significant difference Four Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) were de - between the two Birth to Three home visiting services veloped and served in collaboration with Easter Seal’s provided by Community Action. Child and Family Connections, MIECHV parents, Com - MIECHV Quality Assurance Review: The annual

24 MIECHV Program Quality Assurance Reviews were infants, toddlers four times per program year. MIECHV conducted by the Erikson Institute on July 6 and 7, uses the Teaching Strategies Gold On-Going Assess - 2017 and by the Illinois Department of Human Serv - ment Tool to evaluate the attainment rate of each in - ices, Division of Family and Community Services on fant’s/toddler’s school readiness skills. Some of August 2, 2017. There were no findings. MIECHV’s school readiness outcomes for the program MIECHV CHILDREN’S SCHOOL READINESS year 2017 are listed in the following chart: PROGRESS: MIECHV provides on-going assessment of

MIECHV children showed an on-going progress where evaluate the types of professional development home they mostly met their school readiness goals. The visitors may require in order to prepare their parents school readiness goals are reviewed with individual to engage skillfully with their infants and toddlers. families and in-home lesson plans are developed to 100% of MIECHV age eligible children are transitioned enhance the attainment rate of each goal. The lack into the Head Start centers with an upper hand in of school readiness attainment is also reviewed to school readiness.

25 For the past 53 years, East Central Illinois Community Action Agency’s Head head Start Birth to Five Program has guided thousands of children and their families through early childhood development and family engagement services. The start and Head Start Program supports the education, health, mental health, disability, nutrition, family and community support services for children and their fam - ilies. Our goal is to teach and prepare children for kindergarten and assist early parents in increasing their self-sufficiency thereby providing a continuum of comprehensive services that assist children and their families out of poverty. head The funded enrollment for the Head Start Program is 414 children, and the funded enrolled for Early Head Start Program is 70 infant, toddlers and/or start pregnant women. Each child that is enrolled in the program receives early childhood early learning services, developmental, dental, vision, hearing, nu - annual trition and social emotional screenings. Each parent is offered family-goal setting, self-sufficiency screenings, leadership opportunities and referral sup - suMMary ports to ensure that they are better able to contribute to the well-being of their children and community. As the Head Start Program celebrated 53 years of educational services, the Early Head Start Program entered its 15th year of program operation. The Head Start and Early Head Start Programs successfully completed four con - tinuous years of Federal Reviews, and the Department of Health and Human Services, Administrative for Children and Families granted the Early Head Start and Head Start Programs its fifth year of funding of a five year grant cycle. Both the Head Start and Early Head Start programs surpassed its funded enrollment goals with a cumulative enrollment of 660 children: (14) pregnant mothers, (118) infant and toddlers and (528) ages 3 to 5 years. In 2017, both programs maintained 100% of its funded enrollment with a combined aver - age attendance rate of 82.22% at Head Start and Early Head Start centers. Children served came from families with diverse racial backgrounds and ethnicities. The programs served 11% children from Hispanic/Latino ethnic - ities; and children from the following races: 33% White, 47% African Ameri - can, 7% Bi-racial and .3% Asian. The Agency used the 2017 Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine the eligibility for participation in Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. Among the Early Head Start and Head Start children and families served: 65% were children whose families had incomes below 100% of the federal poverty line (14% were children whose families were recipients of public assistance such as TANF and SSI; 4% were children in foster care, 7% were children whose families were homeless.) Of the remaining number of children served, 6% were from incomes that were between 100% and 130% of the federal poverty line, and 4% were children whose families were classified as “over-income.” Head Start and Early Head Start programs are required to enroll 10% of children with “special needs.” In 2017, 16% of infants and toddlers and 16% of children ages 3 to 5 years were identified as children with “special needs.” 26 Through collaborations with the local school districts, long-term school readiness skills in young children. Easter Seals, parents, and other community support The Agency has a goal of implementing the Head Start systems, 11 Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP) and Early Learning Outcomes Framework, its 20 school 66 Individual Education Plans (IEP) were developed re - readiness goals and aggregated child outcomes to sulting in a total of 77 children with diagnosed “special promote long-term school readiness. The program de - needs” being served in Head Start and Early Head termines if its educational goals are being met Start. through the use of a research-approved assessment HEAD START CHILDREN’S GROWTH IN ACADEMIC tool called Work Sampling On-Going Assessment Tool. SKILLS: The Agency has the ability to process and doc - Below is a list of some of the 2016/2017 fall and spring ument accurate and reliable data, monitor progress outcomes for children ages three (3) and four (4) years and evaluate the contributing factors that increases old.

27 The Early Head Start Program provides on-going as - Teaching Strategies Gold On-Going Assessment Tool. sessment of infants and toddlers four times per year. A summary of how infants and toddlers gains in Similar to the Head Start Program, the Agency deter - school readiness for the program year 2017 are dis - mines if its educational goals are being met through played below: the use of a research-approved assessment tool called

The process of collecting, analyzing and aggregating Gold On-Going Assessment Tool to generate reports data starts at the classroom with each individual child, on groups of children, single or multiple classrooms and it continues at the Head Start management level. and ages of children. The Agency serves children who The management team uses the Work Sampling On- are dual language learners, children with disabilities, Going Assessment Tool and the Teaching Strategies children who are entering school for the first time or

28 children who transitioned into Head Start from the ticipate in the Policy Council (a voluntary governing Early Head Start Program. The program collects and group in Head Start), and are observers and assessors compares the school readiness of children who are en - in the Head Start Program’s Self-Assessment process. rolled in part-day Head Start Services verses children In 2017, our program earned a total of 2,465 Former who are enrolled in full day services. The data is used and Present Head Start Parents voluntary services re - to monitor, track and compare groups of children so sulting in a total of 33,063.96 voluntary hours. that the Agency can determine its ability to prepare The average Head Start teacher has been in the children from various groups for school readiness and classroom for 17 years. 100% of the Head Start (3 to long-term academic success. 5) Center teachers and 75% of the birth to three center As a result of child outcome reports and data col - teachers have at least an associate degree. 50% have lection, the Agency has petitioned the Office of Head least a bachelor’s degree. Start to convert all part-day Head Start sessions into full day Head Start sessions. The child-outcomes data revealed that children in full day sessions were gaining more school readiness skills than children who were enrolled in part-day sessions. The Office of Head Start in December of 2017 granted the Agency’s request. The 2017 Early Head Start outcomes are unique as the children will age into different age groups during a quarter. After reviewing individual scores of various infants and toddlers, the data does show growth in the outcomes scores between the 4 quarters. Growth is measured by groups of children or individual children in order to determine ways to increase school readi - ness in infants and toddlers. Spanish speaking children’s growth in early read - ing, comprehension of the English language showed some progress. The program will remain to continue to create more growth in the use of vocabulary and uses of the English language. Head Start promotes healthy habits so that we can see Healthy growth in children. We promote physical active games and play activities; serve fresh fruit and low-fat milk and serve child size portions to address the growing trend of childhood obesity. Partnering with local Health Providers to ensure that medical and dental health services are available to Head Start en - rolled children is a must. Of the children enrolled in the Head Start 3 to 5 service, 100% received medical exams and 100% received dental exams. Of the chil - dren enrolled in the Early Head Start service, 100% re - ceived well-baby exams and 100% received dental mouth sweeps. Parents are great leaders in the Head Start Pro - gram. Many parents are volunteers in the classrooms, and/or socialization sessions, attend parent teacher conferences, attend parent education trainings, par -

29 2017 FAMILY GOAL ATTAINMENT OUTCOMES: Program Option: Early Head Start Number of EHS Families who participated in Goal Setting: 46 Number of EHS Families with documented changes in Goal Attainment: 41 Number of Assessments Conducted: 3 Assessment #1: End of First Quarter Family Goal Attainment Rate: 85.2% Assessment #2: End of Second Quarter Family Goal Attainment Rate: 88.5% Assessment #3: End of Third Quarter Family Goal Attainment Rate: 90.8%

Program Option: Head Start Number of HS Families who participated in Goal Setting: 349 Number of HS Families with documented changes in Goal Attainment: 337 Number of Assessments Conducted: 3 Assessment #1: End of First Quarter Family Goal Attainment Rate: 83.1% Assessment #2: End of Second Quarter Family Goal Attainment Rate: 86.5% Assessment #3: End of Third Quarter Family Goal Attainment Rate: 89.2%

30 The 2017 data shows that Early Head Start and Head Mental Health/Substance Abuse. These two areas will be Start families increased in goal attainment in all areas ex - explored via trainings to better equip personnel in serv - cept Early Head Start families decreased in Safety and ing Early Head Start families in these content areas

2017 Community Assessment Key Findings:

1. Population Needs and Changes:

The chart above provides evidence of families who are This year, services in the Danville, Illinois area received employed tax payers who are income eligible for CAA rating levels which ranged from 70% to 93%. This services. There is evidence of increased working fam - year’s “very satisfied” category ratings were slightly ilies who seek CAA’s for full-day, high-quality child care lower in the Danville area when compared to former services that are not easily available or affordable to program years. The Agency will analyze the reasons working poor families. Head Start and Early Head Start for the Danville area satisfaction ratings and provide programs provide such services to the increased num - professional development in telephone customer ber of working poor families. There are no changes service engagement. As a side note, the volume of in communities as it pertains to pre-kindergarten slots telephone calls received in the Danville area is signifi - within the school districts. Head Start will make the cantly higher than other areas in this survey. During changes to meet the need of pre-kindergarten slots the energy bill assistance peak periods, customers in for working families. the Danville area endure a longer wait for telephone service due to the high volumes of calls in the Danville 2. Agency Satisfaction: The 2017 ECICAA customer area. surveys reveal satisfaction levels that range between 70% to 100% in various areas. Customers are overall 3. Agency Familiarity/Marketing: The data reveals mostly satisfied with the services that are provided by that Energy Bill Assistance and Head Start Birth to Five the Agency. Customer satisfaction ratings ranges in services are mostly recognized by customers in all the Agency’s service areas outside of Danville, Illinois counties. Although customers are frequent recipients are significantly higher in the “very satisfied” category. of other Agency services, many did not identify the 31 other listed services that they may have been recipi - the Agency received six comprehensive reviews in the ents of. The data reveals that customers learn about following areas: CAA services though: “Family and Friends” most pop - (1) Fiscal Integrity - No Findings Issued. ular venue; Flyers/Posters, second popular venue; and (2) Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and the Agency website and newspapers, third popular Attendance (ERSEA) - No Findings Issued. venue depending on the service area. Facebook (3) Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS): usage is listed as the third popular venue for informa - Classroom teams were issued “classroom quality” tion in the Westville and Ford County service areas. ratings from 1 (Low Quality) to 7 (High Quality) on each type of classroom quality. CLASS Scores 4. Top Five Needed Services: In the peak month of issued: Emotional Support- 5.8618; March 2017, where most counties experience job in - Classroom Organization: 5.4474; creases, unemployment in Vermilion, Ford and Iro - Instructional Support: 2.5351 quois Counties service areas remain higher than the (4) Safe Environment Assessment: State of Illinois and the United States’ National aver - No Findings Issued. ages. Thirty miles west of Danville, Illinois is the Cham - (5) Health- (1) Finding issued regarding Medication paign County area with a 2% lower unemployment Administration practices. Immediate procedures rate. Vermilion, Ford and Iroquois Counties’ unem - were implemented to correct the completion of ployment rate along with low education attainment Medication Administration forms and practices. (page 13), graduation (page 17), and high child (6) Governance: No Finding Issued. poverty rates (page 6) are contributing factors that (7) Education (School Readiness): No Findings Issued. jeopardizes all three counties’ well-being. The March 2017’s Department of Labor’s unemployment rates During the Agency’s most recent financial audit, two listed in the above chart provides clear evidence of (2) findings were issued: (1) internal control over the Vermilion, Ford and Iroquois Counties’ employment general ledger recording and (2) internal control over disparities. The need for job skills, adult education as - the recording of in kind. ECICAA had adequate in-kind sistance programs and high quality child-care educa - to meet the required match amount. Immediate pro - tion services for children and families in all three cedures were implemented to provide internal control counties is imperative. Respondents were asked to over the general ledger recording and monitoring of identify what services that are needed in the commu - in-kind data entry errors. nity. The top five services whereby assistance is East Central’s Head Start and Early Head Start serv - needed includes: finding jobs (41%); utilities (44%); ices have made significant investments in moving our recreation for youth (34%); housing/rental (35%); and, children and their families forward to support chil - emergency (35%). dren’s learning and development. We have estab - lished school readiness goals, assessed children’s and Federal Review/ Comprehensive Monitoring Out - parents’ progress towards meeting the goals and gain - comes: The Office of Head Start conducts a compre - ing self-sufficiency. We have implemented key strate - hensive assessment of all Head Start and Early Head gies for achieving these goals and engaged parents Start services during the second and third year of the and the community to support their children’s growth. program’s five-year funding cycle. At the end of 2017, Shaping the Future Together

32 2017 Head Start Public and Private Funds and Budgetary Expenditures

Head Start 8/1/2016 to 8/31/2017 Actual Budget Variance vs Budget

Revenue

Federal Non-USDA Grant Revenue 4,323,180 4,323,180 0 0.00% Federal USDA Grant Revenue 266,442 250,000 16,442 6.58% State Grant Revenue 0 0 0 Misc Revenue 7,102 0 7,102 Non-Cash In-Kind Grant Revenue 1,091,227 1,010,778 80,449 7.96%

Total Grant Revenue 5,687,951 5,583,958 103,993 1.86%

Expenses Program Services 4,974,191 4,892,549 81,642 1.67% Management and General 715,462 691,409 24,053 3.48% Total Expenses 5,689,653 5,583,958 105,695 1.89%

Change in New Assets (1,702) 0 (1,702)

33 organizational profile

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency employees perior experience for customers, strengthening commu - are a dynamic team of 105 Community Action profession - nity partnerships, and expanding the Agency’s capacity to als. The Agency understands the importance of creating serve its community. and working within a culture that utilizes informative and The 2018 ECICAA customer surveys reveal that cus - summative data to inform and improve delivery of services tomers throughout the Tri-County service area are 86.3% to children and adults in Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion coun - very satisfied with the Agency’s services. Customers are ties. overall satisfied with the services that are provided by the The Agency’s ability to empower families in a tri- Agency. county community is maximized by hiring highly qualified Customer satisfaction is vital for continuous improve - professionals. Most team members have earned multiple ment. Annual customer satisfaction surveys were con - post-secondary degrees and certifications. The following ducted in Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion counties. The statistics reflect the highest earned degree by employees: following 2018 outcomes were documented: the Agency Doctoral 1, Masters 7; Bachelors 27, Associates 38. A num - attained an overall Customer Service Satisfaction Rate of ber of team members have also attained State certification 86%; Customer Telephone Satisfaction Rate of 85%; Cus - and credentialing areas: Superintendent, Principal, Assis - tomer Care and Shown Compassion Rate of 95%; and an tant Principal, Teacher, Child Development Associate, Fam - Employee Responsiveness to Customers’ Needs Rate of ily and Community Development, and Homeownership 93%. Note: between 2016 and 2017 extensive changes Educator. Community Action personnel are comprised of have been made to improve answering incoming calls, re - multi-disciplined and analytic teams who are able to use turning calls, appointment scheduling, phone automation, research-based information about children, families, and responsiveness to customer needs as well as friendliness service communities to guide local planning and program to provide the best experience possible to our customers. management. All of the Agency’s Head Start sites use data Community Action team members are on the frontline walls to monitor and share disaggregated attendance and of change. Head Start Teachers, Family Advocates, Home- academic student performance results with parents and Base Teachers, Family Community Development (FCD) other community stakeholders. Specialists, and Financial Fitness Coaches work with citi - Community Action celebrates a diverse workforce that zens to develop personal goals that will lead them to eco - reflects the communities it serves. Dedicated employees nomic self-sufficiency. These goals are usually focused on represent a cross-section of Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion working toward continued education, earning advanced counties with respect to gender, race, ethnicity, age, and employment, acquiring improved affordable housing and other rich examples of diversity. This wealth of diversity af - purchasing reliable transportation. These are the top goals fords Community Action a unique perspective to relate to that seem to permeate for Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion each customer who walks into the door. Nearly 10% of the residents. Team members who are working directly with tri-county staff members speak two or more languages. individuals, children and families each day have the oppor - This additional example of diversity further expands the tunity to be a catalyst for change and empowerment. Agency’s capacity to serve a greater number of citizens Our team continuously works to remove societal bar - throughout its three county service area. riers and replace discouragement with beneficial informa - Strategic planning, professional development, and tion and resources. In partnership with local school communication are three key components to establishing districts, institutions of higher education, other not-for- and maintaining high levels of grant management, deliv - profit partners, political, civic, and industry leaders, our ery of services, and communication. Rigorous pursuit of Agency assists individuals and families in moving forward local, regional and national professional development has toward economic self-sufficiency. As each family moves been based upon furthering the Agency’s Strategic Plan. forward, our entire community is strengthened. Together Communication among internal and external customers is we succeed! paramount to delivery of quality services, providing a su - 34 founders Rev. Herschel Hughes and Dr. W. G. D. Henderson

Charter Board MeMBers Dr. W. G. D. Henderson — Chairperson Uta Lee — Secretary Bertha Williams Clara Herring our story Dr. David Radcliff R. F. Fitzgerald Community Action (CA) was the Dr. Fred Crockett Major Ellis Bruns 1964 brain child of Dr. W. D. Hen - Ola Mae Ford Rev. Otis Wheeler derson and Reverend Hershel Hughes. In 1956, Dr. Henderson Mary Ann Diller Dr. W. Robert Elghammer and Rev. Hughes determined the Mrs. John Morton-James Mr. Albert “Pete” Derrickson first goal of CA was to establish early childhood Head Start cen - Frank McGough Louis Lowenstein ters. These preschool education Mrs. Herbert Harper Virginia Merriweather centers would provide opportu - Ernest Dill Nate Render nities for the nearly 58% of Ver - milion county parents who did Bertella McDougal Mrs. Paul Donaldson not have a high school diploma Ann Stifler Jacqueline Miller to return to school to complete Joseph Payne their education. By 1966, Head Start children began receiving medical and dental screenings; a youth work study program exeCutive direCtors began along with additional adult educational programming. As CA continued to grow, legal Rev. Herschel Hughes — 1966 - 1968 aid services and home manage - Lewis Morris — 1968 ment programs were created in collaboration with the Danville Jerry Robinson — 1968 -1971 Area Community College. By John Russian — 1971 - 1972 1968, CA began employing VISTA Leslie Lucas — 1972 workers; a meals-on-wheels pro - gram was started in partnership Mark Reynolds — 1972 - 1977 with the YMCA. The Upward Shirley Findley (Interim Director) — 1977 Bound youth summer services Rev. Harold Wilkes — 1977 and senior citizen health pro - gram were set up to address the Otis E. Hillsman — 1977 - 1986 medical needs of the elderly. CA Dwight A. Lucas (CEO) — 1986 - 2013 again partnered with the DACC to provide job training under the Laura T. Brooks (Interim CEO) — 2013 - 2014 Comprehensive Employment Dr. Angéle Thibodeaux Burns (CEO) — 2014 to Present Training Act. CA has continued to grow and evolve based on the needs of the community. 35 Shaping the Future Together

36 Shaping the Future Together eMeritus governing Board of direCtors

Dr. W. G. G. Henderson — 2001 Otis E. Hillsman — 2001 Mary Alice Buchanan — 2001 Margaret “Marcy” Mauck — 2002 José Velazquez — 2003 Eugene B. Thompson — 2004 Reverend H. L. Reed — 2006 Mrs. Ivadale Foster — 2016 (Posthumously)

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency is a private 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Charitable contributions in support of the Agency’s mission are always appreciated and tax-deductible.

56 North Vermilion Street | Danville IL 61832 | Telephone (217) 554-9100 | Facsimile (217) 431-0725

www.comaction.org