Community Services

Community Services / I.& R.

Vision

To provide local community access points that provide current information about, and referral to,
available services for economically disadvantaged persons in Merced County.

Mission

To provide routine and accessible CAP community contact points that assist primarily economically
disadvantaged persons identify and access public resources.

Summary Description of CAP Community Services / I. & R. Program

In 2002 CAP Community Services / I. & R. program customer services include assisting customers with application for utility assistance and providing information about, and when appropriate referral to, other CAP and community public services. Direct customer services are provided by CAP Service Centers in communities such as Planada, South Dos Palos, West Merced and Winton. In 2002 services included, when available, energy utility assistance, application for public services forms assistance, hosting food / commodities distribution sites, assisting with information and referral to appropriate public services and sites for a wide-variety of community events and volunteer activities.

The Community Services / I. & R. program’s effectiveness is highly dependent upon volunteers from Merced County’s various rural communities. Financing to support this Division activity in 2002 is highly sensitive to changes in federal funding for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and energy program, which provide funding for program staffing. The program’s primary goals for 2002 – 2007 are to:

a) Increase and diversify program funding to sustain, and expand, program services.
b) Expand and enhance customer services through networking technology and community partnerships for customer I. & R.
c) Design, develop and acquire funding for the CAP community volunteers initiative.

CAP Community Services/ I. & R. Customer Services

In 2002 the Community Services / I. & R. program provides income eligible customer energy utilities payment assistance. The program operates 6 part-time community centers that assist local economically disadvantaged customers with assistance in public service forms completion, I & R, and when available language translation. Part-time community site supervisors also host CAP nutrition program activities. Service capabilities are severely restricted to the limited funding and current level of involvement in hosting and coordination of the nutrition activities.

For More Information Please E-Mail
Marlene Murphy, Community Services Program Manager
Marlene@mercedcaa.org

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