Housing, additional heating funds discussed at GHCAA meeting

Three apartments at Pattonsburg Manor and one apartment at Park View Plaza, Jamesport, are available for lease, according to a report by Housing Development Director Art Heriford during a recent meeting of the Area Governing Board of Green Hills Community Action Agency (GHCAA) at the central office in Trenton.

Mr. Heriford asked board members to refer any clients that may be interested in leasing the available units to the GHCAA Housing Development Department at the central office in Trenton and reminded them that income guidelines apply.

GHCAA Community Services Assistant Virginia Daniels presented an Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) amendment, which brings the total ECIP budget to $631,227.90. Mrs. Daniels discussed that the additional funds will provide needed heating assistance to income-eligible individuals.

She stated that qualifying applicants can now receive one-time assistance of $600, up from $400. The financial guidelines have raised so that a one-person household with an annual income of less than $12,525, or a four-person household with an annual income of less than $25,575 will be eligible for assistance during this period of high fuel costs. The number of individuals who have applied for assistance has increased dramatically over last year’s figures due to the cost of heating fuel, reported Mrs. Daniels.

Individuals are encouraged to contact Ms Daniels at GHCAA in Trenton or the GHCAA Service Center in their county of residence of additional information.

Other items on the GHCAA agenda included self-evaluation, finance, and personnel committee reports, energy crisis intervention program and community services block grant amendments, and housing project updates.

The board Self-Evaluation Committee reviewed the self-evaluation plan. As discussed in committee, the goal of self-evaluation is to assess the understanding and level of participation of the members of the agency’s board of directors.

A survey was distributed to all board members during the Dec. 5, 2000, meeting. Results of those surveys were compiled and the committee reviewed the scores and comments. Committee members agreed that the survey results will assist the board in focusing its attention on those areas identified as weaknesses. Overall, however, the results indicate that the board of directors believe that GHCAA is doing a fine job providing needed services to low-income individuals in our nine-county service area.

The committee further discussed the large-scale evaluation to be conducted by the members of the self-evaluation committee with assistance from GHCAA staff committee. That large-scale evaluation will focus on governance and mission, management and compliance, oversight and stewardship, human resources, goals, strategies, and results, and community relations and linkages.

The self-evaluation by committee will occur during February and March 2001 and a final report will be forwarded to the Community Services Block Grant Administrator in Jefferson City.

The Finance Committee reported on the agency audit, detailing revenues and expenses as of Sept. 30, 2000. Kristie Fox updated board members on the audit process. She stated that auditors Randall Flene and Allan Shelp completed the audit on Dec. 11, 2000, and conducted an exit conference at that time. Ms. Fox reported that the agency received an unqualified audit, which means that GHCAA is complying with funding source regulations.

The Personnel Committee report was given by Barbara Oxendale. Oxendale provided two revised job descriptions and a staffing update at GHCAA, stating that GHCAA currently has 53 full-time and six part-time employees in the nine-county area.

Housing Development Director Art Heriford stated that the five new homes in Chillicothe are complete with the exception of minor landscaping and that two of the five homes are leased.

Executive Director Don Warren informed board members of an additional $2,500 in funds from Missouri Family Health Council, for a total Title X budget for family planning of $170,393, and asked for a vote of board approval for a CSBG amendment that adds a mix of units to family development unit costs not to exceed $197,196.

The next meeting of the GHCAA Area Governing Board will be held Tuesday, March 6, 2001.