United Way of East Central Iowa is working towards achieving the goals our community identified as most critical through our Agenda for Action. By taking specific action, we are helping people in a more positive way: We are breaking negative cycles and tackling the root causes of problems to bring about lasting change. These focus areas mobilize the community, align investments and prioritize and create collaborations that produce results.
We bring together resources to address previously unmet needs – sometimes as the leader, sometimes a facilitator and sometimes as a partner at the table. All of this is done in collaboration with diverse community partners. United Way brings together partner agencies, businesses, schools, nonprofits, organized labor, government, neighborhood associations and faith-based organizations. To create a stronger community, we all need to be a part of the solution.
The AGENDA FOR ACTION focuses on our communities most critical needs in three well-defined impact areas:
Strengthening Children and Youth
Vision
All children and youth are nurtured and provided with the opportunity to succeed in school, develop life skills and reach their full potential.
Focus Area: Early Childhood Development and Care
Community Outcomes
1. Children, from birth – age 5, will have access to quality childcare and early learning experiences.
2. Parents of young children will succeed in their roles as their child’s first teacher.
Target Populations
1. At-risk children
2. Children from low-income families
3. Childcare and early learning providers
Focus Area: Youth Development
Community Outcomes
1. Youth are healthy and socially competent.
2. Youth are prepared for productive adulthood.
Target Populations
1. At-risk youth ages 6 – 18
2. Youth with working parents (particularly youth ages 12 – 16)
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Strengthening Families
Vision
Families and individuals have access to services and resources that support self-sufficiency and healthy living.
Focus Area: Access to Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Care
Community Outcomes
1) Increase the capacity of vulnerable populations to live healthy lives.
2) Increase the availability of comprehensive services and treatment plans for individuals and families with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
Goal: Increase treatment access and retention
a) Reduce waiting times for treatment
b) Increase the number of clients and the length of time clients stay engaged in treatment
and supportive services
Target Populations
1) Individuals with disparities in access to quality health services
2) Individuals with physical, mental or emotional barriers that limit their options for Assistance
3) Individuals and families earning at or below a self-sufficient wage
Focus Area: Self-Sufficiency
Community Outcomes
1) Low to moderate-income individuals and families increase financial literacy and life skills.
Goal 1: Decrease household reliance on costly short term strategies such as predatory credit
options (payday and title loans) during transition to higher wage jobs
a. Savings and financial literacy programs
Goal 2: Increase household use of public and private benefits
a. Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit
b. Volunteer tax preparation services
c. Enrollment in applicable public and private benefits
d. Low-interest/forgivable loan programs
2) Low to moderate-income individuals and families increase their income through work supports.
Goal 1: Increase the number of self-sufficient families by connecting low-income working
adults to improved quality job opportunities that include health insurance and paid sick leave
Goal 2: Increase the number of low-income workers with skills for higher paying jobs with a
focus on portable credentials
Goal 3: Increase the retention/tenure of low-income workers resulting in pay increases and
better benefits
3) Low to moderate-income individuals and families gain and sustain assets.
4) Individuals and families are connected to coordinated support services that reduce barriers to achieving resilience and financial stability.
Target Populations
1) Low-income working individuals or families earning less than a self-sufficient wage
2) Single parent families, especially female headed households
3) Individuals with limited English language skills or low educational attainment
4) Individuals with disabilities
5) At-risk young adults (individuals who do not complete high school, involved in juvenile justice systems, placed in foster care, and young parents)
Focus Area: Older Adults
Community Outcomes
1) Older adults remain independent in their homes longer through access to home and community based care and caregiver supports.
Target Populations
1) Older adults 55-64 that do not qualify for the Elderly Waiver
2) Older adults 65+ with limited income
3) Care givers of the above population
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Strengthening Connections
Vision
Families and individuals in crisis are connected to basic needs and information necessary to rebuild their lives.
Focus Area: Rebuilding Lives
Community Outcomes
1. Increase the number of individuals and families that are in stable permanent housing.
2. Increase the number of individuals and families connected to food supports as an income replacement strategy.
3. Increase access to balanced and nutritious food for populations with health risks associated with poor nutrition.
4. Decrease barriers for clients accessing health and human services through increased availability of transportation services to those with limited or unreliable transportation options.
Target Populations
1. Homeless and near homeless persons
2. Individuals and families with nutritional health risks
3. Victims or emergencies, disasters and violence
4. Families and individuals that need access to health and human services
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