Annual Reports
Community Action of South Mississippi publishes an annual report each year to share our programs, progress, and financial accountability with the communities we serve across Jackson, Harrison, and George counties.
Each report covers our federally funded programs, including Head Start, energy assistance, food pantry, transportation, senior services, VITA tax preparation, and community services. You will find enrollment data, financial summaries from independent audits, program outcomes, and the people making it happen.
All reports are available as downloadable PDF documents. If you need a report in an alternative format such as large print, audio, or another language, please request an alternative format or call (228) 769-3292.
Browse Our Reports
Select a year to view program outcomes, financial data, and community impact in accessible HTML. PDF downloads are also available on each report page.
2025 Annual Report
Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2024
A letter from Executive Director Vanessa Gibson, independent auditor's report, federal program revenue, Head Start and Early Head Start enrollment and outcomes, CSBG community impact, LIHEAP energy assistance, VITA tax preparation results, food pantry distribution, senior programs, parenting initiative, and community engagement highlights.
Previous Annual Reports
Head Start enrollment, LIHEAP assistance, CSBG outcomes, food pantry, and VITA tax preparation for the fiscal year ending September 2023.
Program highlights, community impact data, federal funding breakdown, and independent audit findings for the fiscal year ending September 2022.
Annual outcomes across Head Start, energy assistance, community services, and senior programs for the fiscal year ending September 2021.
Service delivery during COVID recovery, program enrollment, financial accountability, and community partnerships for the fiscal year ending September 2020.
All reports are available in accessible HTML and as PDF downloads. If you need a report in large print, audio, Braille, or another format, please request an alternative format or call (228) 769-3292.
2025 Annual Report
Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2024
Letter from the Executive Director
We navigated a turbulent year, which began and ended with threats to our funding. Throughout, we have continued to deliver quality services to clients in Jackson, George, and Harrison counties.
More people accessed our food pantry as food insecurity increased. Thank you to our many partners, such as Ingalls Shipbuilding, for donating to the food pantry in anticipation of increased demand.
Thank you to our steadfast employees for remaining focused on the mission. I am beyond grateful for your commitment. Thank you to the Board and Policy Council for providing leadership and critical guidance to the management team.
Most importantly, thank you to the community for allowing us to serve you. For trusting us to bring you timely information and resources to improve your standard of living. Community Action will continue to forge ahead in the coming year.
Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Officers
- Lauren Kelley
Chairman - Donna Stewart
Vice Chairman - Dr. Regina Watts
Secretary - Christian Hartley
Finance Chair
Members
- Myra Cunningham
- Carlos Moulds
Personnel Chair - Lisa Hudgins
- Kimberly Weary
Members
- Letha Bolton
Planning Chair - Rhonda Odom
- Yolanda Flint
- Nancy Jo Maples
Independent Auditor's Report
In addition to regular reviews and self-assessments, an independent audit is performed annually. The audit covers internal control over financial reporting and compliance with provisions of laws, regulations, contracts, grants, and other matters. In the auditor's opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Community Action of South Mississippi, Inc. as of September 30, 2024, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Mission
It is our mission to provide quality services that empower the community and foster independence.
Vision
Our vision is to be the standard of excellence in developing and delivering quality, responsive services.
Policy Council
Community Representatives
Parent Representatives
Federal Programs Revenue
Fiscal Year 2024
| Program | Amount |
|---|---|
| Head Start (Operating) | $6,542,268 |
| LIHEAP (Energy Assistance) | $3,722,479 |
| CSBG (Community Services Block Grant) | $1,195,084 |
| USDA (Child Nutrition) | $565,552 |
| Title XX (Transportation) | $250,904 |
| TANF (Parenting Initiative) | $204,896 |
| Title III B (Senior Centers) | $73,108 |
| Title III C (Congregate Meals) | $73,099 |
| VITA (Tax Assistance) | $72,973 |
| FDCH (Family Day Care Homes) | $71,568 |
| Total | $12,771,931 |
Head Start Budget
7/1/2024 – 4/30/2025
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Personnel | $3,327,116 |
| Fringe Benefits | $940,830 |
| Contractual | $720,515 |
| Indirect Costs | $580,441 |
| Miscellaneous** | $243,387 |
| Supplies | $86,420 |
| Travel/Training | $61,307 |
| Other* | $43,851 |
| Equipment | $21,846 |
| Total | $6,025,713 |
7/1/2025 – 4/30/2026
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Personnel | $3,636,759 |
| Fringe Benefits | $1,426,620 |
| Indirect Costs | $688,647 |
| Contractual | $440,202 |
| Miscellaneous** | $184,620 |
| Travel/Training | $68,432 |
| Supplies | $59,850 |
| Other* | $37,140 |
| Total | $6,542,270 |
*Other includes food, medical and dental services, field trips, parent activity, fuel, and awards/incentives.
**Miscellaneous includes utilities, lease payments, repairs, maintenance, facility maintenance, and telephone.
Head Start
Ages at Enrollment
Eligibility
| Public Assistance (SNAP) | 261 |
| Below 100% Poverty | 132 |
| Homeless | 38 |
| Over Income | 23 |
| Disability/Special Needs | 17 |
| Foster Care | 7 |
Primary Language
| English | 439 |
| Dual Language | 42 |
| Spanish | 36 |
| East Asian | 2 |
| American Sign Language | 1 |
Race and Ethnicity
| Race | Hispanic/ Latino |
Non-Hispanic |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 9 | 305 |
| White | 46 | 72 |
| Biracial or Multi-Racial | 10 | 30 |
| Asian | 2 | 2 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 2 | 0 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 |
Early Head Start
Eligibility
| Public Assistance | 68 |
| Below 100% Poverty | 42 |
| Homeless | 9 |
| Over Income | 6 |
| Disability/Special Needs | 3 |
| Foster Care | 2 |
Primary Language
| English | 123 |
| Dual Language | 9 |
| Spanish | 6 |
| American Sign Language | 0 |
Race and Ethnicity
| Race | Hispanic/ Latino |
Non-Hispanic |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 1 | 94 |
| White | 5 | 19 |
| Biracial or Multi-Racial | 5 | 6 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 0 | 0 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 |
School Readiness
Spring 2024–2025 Assessment Results
To collect school readiness data, our program used the Teaching Strategies GOLD online assessment instrument. The system measures the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are most predictive of school success. The tool has 38 objectives organized into nine areas of development and learning, covering social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the arts.
| Development Area | Below | Meets | Exceeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social/Emotional | 9 | 78 | 40 |
| Physical | 17 | 95 | 2 |
| Language | 10 | 56 | 11 |
| Cognitive | 12 | 41 | 7 |
| Literacy | 6 | 23 | 1 |
| Mathematics | 14 | 15 | 1 |
| Spanish Language | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Spanish Literacy | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Teachers used the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment tool quarterly to collect the data needed to plan activities for individual children. Through observations, work samplings, and parental input, teachers leveled children in each objective area. At the end of each observation cycle, reports were generated to show which children are meeting, exceeding, or below an area of development and learning.
Head Start Physical Health
| Health Indicator | At Enrollment | End of Year |
|---|---|---|
| Children with Health Insurance | 437 | 418 |
| Enrolled in Medicaid and/or CHIP | 421 | 404 |
| Ongoing Source of Continuous Health Care | 321 | 416 |
| Up-to-Date on All Immunizations | 140 | 293 |
| Up-to-Date on EPSDT Well Child Care | 60 | 409 |
| Received Treatment for Chronic Conditions | — | 12 |
Medical Exams
Body Mass Index
The agency has implemented the following programs to combat childhood obesity: The Organwise Guys, which empowers kids to be healthy and smart from the inside out; Color Me Healthy, to get children excited about eating smart and moving more; and the 5210 program to educate children and families on good nutrition and exercise.
Dental Health
Dental Access
| Dentist at Enrollment | 293 |
| Dentist at End of Year | 414 |
Dental Treatment
| Needed Treatment | 42 |
| Received Treatment | 14 |
Head Start Disability Services
Enrolled with IEP
Receiving Services
- Speech or Language20
- Developmental Delay11
- Autism Spectrum Disorder5
- Emotional Disturbance0
Diagnosed Chronic Conditions
- Asthma20
- Vision11
- Hearing5
- Life-Threatening Allergies5
- Elevated Lead4
- Autism3
- Seizures2
- ADHD1
- Diabetes0
Early Head Start Physical Health
| Health Indicator | At Enrollment | End of Year |
|---|---|---|
| Children with Health Insurance | 104 | 98 |
| Enrolled in Medicaid and/or CHIP | 98 | 92 |
| Ongoing Source of Continuous Health Care | 86 | 98 |
| Up-to-Date on All Immunizations | — | 96 |
| Up-to-Date on EPSDT Well Child Care | — | 67 |
| Received Treatment for Chronic Conditions | — | 5 |
Early Head Start Disability Services
Children with IFSP
Children enrolled who had an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) indicating eligibility for early intervention services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Community Action of South Mississippi engages in programming to assist clients in becoming self-sufficient. CSBG clients are encouraged to participate with the case management program to assist with meeting their goals in the areas of Employment, Education, Income and Asset Building, Housing, Health and Social Behavior, and Civic Engagement.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Community Action of South Mississippi provides LIHEAP services for George, Harrison, and Jackson counties. LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. All funds are paid directly to the utility companies on behalf of the eligible family.
Largest Vendor Payments in 2025
| Mississippi Power | $991,339 |
| Singing River EPA | $656,515 |
| Coast EPA | $305,190 |
Parenting Initiative
With grant funding from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), CASOMS provides parenting classes for parents in Harrison and Jackson counties using two curricula: Active Parenting and Within My Reach. Through pre/post testing and annual follow up, 100% of families who participated report still using the tools they learned.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The VITA Coalition is comprised of Community Action of South Mississippi and Mercy Housing. We offer tax preparation services at five locations across the coast for eligible taxpayers. The coalition has provided tax assistance for 20+ years to individuals who make under $70,000 per year.
Food Pantry
Food insecurity is a problem throughout our service area. Community Service Block Grant funds are used to purchase food for our food pantries in George and Jackson counties. Food baskets are distributed on Fridays or daily on an emergency basis as needed. The baskets include meat, fish, dairy, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and canned goods. CASOMS also offers a food pantry in George County in partnership with Sisters in Christ and Feeding America.
60+ Senior Programs
Healthy bodies, alert minds, energized spirits. Community Action of South Mississippi's Senior Program offers adults age 60 and over year-round activities to support independence and enhance quality of life. The senior center is a focal point in the community where individuals come together for services, educational programs, recreational activities, and socialization that enhance dignity and encourage involvement.
Community Engagement
CASOMS partners with organizations across the Gulf Coast to strengthen communities and expand services for the families we serve.
Our Locations
Head Start Centers
Senior Centers
CSBG / LIHEAP Centers
Questions About Our Programs?
Learn more about the services we offer or contact our team to find out how we can help.
(228) 769-3292