Executive Board



Elected Officials

District 1	District 2	District 3	District 4	District 5

Vacant	Dave Honey	Margaret “Peggy” Merritt	Joe Sousa	Mary Henderson

Private Sector Appointments


Yvonne Davis	Joan Faul	Patti Dossetti	Vacant	Carole Roberds

Low-Income Representation
District 1	District 2	District 3	District 4	District 5

Vacant	Pat Garcia	Vacant	Rebecca Guerra	Rosa Gomez

If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors: please submit and Application . If you have questions contact: Katie Luxon, Executive Secretary Merced County Community Action Agency Phone: (209) 723-4565 Fax: (209) 385-9934 kluxon@mercedcaa.org

What Is A Community Action Partnership:

Community Action Partnership are private non-profit or public organizations that were created by the federal government in 1964 to combat poverty in geographically designated areas. Status as a Community Action Partnership is the result of an explicit designation by local or state government. A Community Action Partnership has a tripartite board structure that is designated to promote the participation of the entire community in the reduction or elimination of poverty. Community Action Partnership seek to involve the community, including elected public officials, private sector representatives, and especially low-income residents, in assessing local needs and attacking the causes and conditions of poverty.

As required of all Community Action Partnership administering bodies, Merced County CAA has a tri-partite Partnership made up of public, low-income and private sector members. 1/3 are either any elected official in the county, or their appointee, 1/3 are selected representatives for low-income residents of Merced County, and the final 1/3 are appointed from the private sector by the CAB.

Why Community Action Board Are Unique

Most poverty-related organizations focus on a specific area of need, such as job training, health care, housing, or economic development. Community Action Partnership reach out to low-income people in their communities, address their multiple needs through a comprehensive approach, develop partnerships with other community organizations, involve low-income clients in the agency s operations, and administer a full range of coordinated programs designed to have a measurable impact on poverty.

CAA Strategic Outcomes for 2001 - 2007

Outcome: Grass roots funding (grants) within the Board for technical assistance to grass roots community organizations to provide community support with developing resources

Outcome: Less duplication of services in Merced County

Outcome: More youth programs with outreach in Merced County

Outcome: CAA is operating a fleet of vehicles, with maintenance, that can be used to transport clients or for other needs

Outcome: CAA is conducting its non-profit operations as a business independent of Merced County Systems

Outcome: CAA is earning its own unrestricted agency income and is assisting in community currency projects

Outcome: Fewer CAA clients due to service needs reduction

Outcome: Establish staffed magnet/community centers to help clients find jobs

Outcome: Mini-One Stop, community centers, in each outlying rural community with knowledgeable staff and technology accessible to residents

Outcome: CAA is operating transitional housing and supportive housing for transition

Outcome: Constructing a new homeless shelter with homeless day center.

Outcome: A senior Day Care in rural Merced County

Outcome: More partnerships within the community

Outcome: Creating jobs for all populations

Outcome: Technology competency in agency (CAP)

CAA Background Summary

Merced County CAA has been delivering a broad range of services to economically disadvantaged individuals and communities in Merced County, California since 1965. The CAA uses a variety of Federal and State funding, such as the CSBG grant, Head Start and DOL-ETA Workforce Development to implement its services.

The Merced County CAA is administered by the Community Action Board (CAP), a California non-profit corporation and U.S. Treasury certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The CAA executes its policies and and strategic intentions through the office of the Executive Director who oversees the management and administration of the CAA for the CAP.

CAP customer service delivery is organized, and provide through, four (4) CAA Divisions:

· Community Self-Sufficiency Division
· Child and Family Division
· Nutrition and Health Division
· Support Services for CAA Programs

CAP program Departments are organized into one of the four (4) strategic operating Divisions listed above. CAA program Departments have established excellent working relationships and collaborations with a number of public and community-based agencies and service providers. This local network of provider relationships, working with jointly served individuals and families, helps to coordinate service delivery, and avoid duplication.

To improve the level of services available Merced County CAA seeks ways to be more efficient and responsive to minimize if not eliminate gaps in services and facilitate development of opportunities for low-income people.