2021 Annual Report

Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2020

Progress in a Pandemic

Program outcomes, pandemic response, and community impact from Community Action of South Mississippi. If you need this report in an alternative format, please request one here or call (228) 769-3292.

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Letter from the Executive Director

The year began like any other, filled with hope, optimism, and Mardi Gras parades. Soon a mysterious virus discovered a world away would change our lives forever. The world began shutting down borders, schools, and businesses in March of 2020. Head Start and Senior centers closed. Agency employees worked from home and learned how to use Zoom.

Our seniors experienced loneliness and isolation as congregate meals and transportation services were halted. Staff shortages became commonplace as COVID-19 spread. Each week, a new classroom was shut down for 10 days as we struggled to provide services to parents who needed to work.

During it all, Community Action of South Mississippi continued to provide services. Staff delivered meals to grateful seniors who just wanted to talk, get a hug, and a little companionship. Parents picked up meals from Head Start centers. Information packets, toys, books, crayons, and instructional supports were distributed weekly to families.

Light at the end of the tunnel arrived in December 2020 when vaccines received Emergency Use Authorization. We look forward with hope and perseverance to a return to normalcy.

Vanessa Gibson

Executive Director

Passionate Leadership and a Lasting Legacy

Former Executive Director, Diann Payne

After serving the agency for 37 years, Diann Payne announced her retirement in 2021. She began at Jackson County Civic Action in 1984 as Deputy Director/Finance Director and was selected to lead as Executive Director in 1997.

Under her leadership, Head Start facilities were renovated, new facilities were built, public school partnerships were formed, and the VITA program grew to prepare the most returns in the Mississippi network. She received the United Way Community Impact Award and the Innovation Award from the MS Department of Human Services. She always led with passion and left a lasting legacy.

Leadership Team

Vanessa Gibson

Executive Director

Lee Ann Kendrick

Director of Adult Services

Tiffany Bradley

Director of Finance

Priscilla Edwards

Interim Dir. of Children & Youth Services

Kelli Green

Human Resource Manager

Mission

It is our mission to serve culturally diverse communities by providing quality services that promote human development and self-sufficiency.

Vision

To be the standard of excellence in developing, providing, and delivering quality, responsive services to the elderly, children, and families. A model agency with dedicated employees and a participative work environment that fosters teamwork and personal growth.

Board of Directors

Public Sector

Cynthia Black

Chairperson

Terri Tyler

Secretary

Nancy Jo Maples

Thomas Lett

Committee Chair

Private Sector

Don Polk

Vice-Chairperson

Mandye Feranda

Ricky McCorvey

Lauren Kelley

Low-Income Sector

Paul Lee

Sharon Ray

Angie Cowan

Bernard Kirkland

Independent Auditor's Report

In addition to regular reviews and self-assessments, an independent audit is performed annually. Areas of review include internal control over financial reporting and tests of compliance with certain 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 as of September 30, 2020, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Federal Programs Revenue

Fiscal Year 2021

Total Federal Revenue

$10,532,512

Across 9 federal programs serving Jackson, Harrison, and George counties

Federal programs revenue for fiscal year 2021
Program	Amount
Head Start	$5,329,444
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance)	$2,702,350
CSBG (Community Services Block Grant)	$1,862,361
USDA (Child Nutrition)	$292,820
FDCH (Family Day Care Homes)	$217,113
VITA (Tax Assistance)	$48,886
Title III C (Congregate Meals)	$44,750
Title XX (Transportation)	$25,000
Title III B (Senior Centers)	$9,788
Total	$10,532,512

Head Start Budget

FY2021 Expenditures

7/1/2020 – 4/30/2021

Head Start and Early Head Start expenditures for fiscal year 2021
Category	Amount
Personnel/Fringes	$3,200,159
Indirect Costs	$381,878
Contractual	$317,638
Other	$242,574
Equipment	$146,524
Supplies	$144,383
Travel/Training	$14,679
Total	$4,447,835

FY2022 Proposed

5/1/2021 – 4/30/2022

Head Start and Early Head Start proposed expenditures for fiscal year 2022
Category	Amount
Personnel/Fringes	$4,136,801
Indirect Costs	$563,019
Contractual	$535,872
Other	$207,402
Supplies	$154,959
Travel/Training	$58,232
Equipment	$21,926
Total	$5,678,211

Head Start

436

Funded Enrollment

201

Cumulative Enrollment

Eligibility

Head Start eligibility categories
Below 100% Poverty	147
Public Assistance (TANF/SSI)	33
Homeless	14
Other Need	3
100% to 130% Poverty	2
Foster Care	2

Primary Language

Head Start children by primary language
English	180
Spanish	20
East Asian	1

Race and Ethnicity

Head Start children by race and ethnicity
Race	Hispanic/ Latino	Non-Hispanic
Black or African American	7	131
White	15	30
Biracial or Multi-Racial	4	11
American Indian or Alaska Native	0	2
Asian	0	1
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0	0

Early Head Start

Cumulative Enrollment

56 Children · 11 Pregnant Women

Children Enrolled

Eligibility

Early Head Start eligibility categories
Below 100% Poverty	51
Public Assistance (TANF/SSI)	7
Homeless	7
Foster Care	1
Over Income	0

Primary Language

Early Head Start children by primary language
English	64
Spanish	3

Race and Ethnicity

Early Head Start children by race and ethnicity
Race	Hispanic/ Latino	Non-Hispanic
Black or African American	1	35
White	2	22
Biracial or Multi-Racial	0	3

School Readiness

Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment Results

To collect school readiness data, the agency used the Teaching Strategies GOLD online assessment instrument. Teachers assessed children quarterly across Fall, Winter, and Spring, tracking growth from Emerging to Accomplished in each developmental area. Due to pandemic-related closures, assessment numbers reflect reduced class sizes.

School readiness assessment results across Fall, Winter, and Spring periods
Area	Fall		Winter		Spring
Area	E	A	E	A	E	A
Social/Emotional	112	102	52	19	28	70
Physical	110	93	50	21	37	72
Language	113	97	54	18	33	68
Cognitive	108	94	65	18	36	57
Literacy	107	106	73	18	24	49
Mathematics	105	107	71	20	22	51

E = Emerging (developing the skill)

A = Accomplished (mastered the skill)

Head Start Physical Health

Head Start children health coverage at enrollment compared to end of year
Health Indicator	At Enrollment	End of Year
Children with Health Insurance	181	155
Enrolled in Medicaid and/or CHIP	173	150
Ongoing Source of Continuous Health Care	122	122
Up-to-Date on All Immunizations*	163	162
Up-to-Date on EPSDT Well Child Care	—	145
Received Treatment for Chronic Conditions	—	16

*Access to immunizations was limited during the pandemic.

Body Mass Index

Healthy Weight

Obese

Overweight

Underweight

Dental Health

115

At Enrollment

176

End of Year

Needed Treatment

Received Treatment

Disability Services

Head Start (IEPs)

Children Receiving Special Services

Diagnosed Conditions

Asthma10
Vision Problems3
Autism Spectrum Disorder1
Life-Threatening Allergies1

Early Head Start (IFSPs)

Children with IFSP

Children enrolled who had an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) indicating eligibility for early intervention services under IDEA.

Mental Health

Children received an individual mental health assessment from a mental health professional.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

In 2021, three key areas were identified as priorities in the midst of the pandemic: employment, training, and housing security. The agency engages in programming to assist clients with meeting their goals based on an annual community needs assessment.

Employment

166

Mississippians received full-time jobs with higher wages and increased skills

Housing

518

Families avoided eviction

458

Found safe, affordable housing

Education

Clients completed a credential, certificate, or degree

Health & Nutrition

2,181

Clients increased healthy nutrition, cooking, and budgeting skills

Seniors

1,503

Senior citizens retained independence and remained living at home

Disability Support

1,171

Disabled citizens retained independence and remained living at home

Income & Asset Building

673

Meeting basic needs

289

Financial education

Civic Engagement

590

Improved leadership and community engagement skills

Family Services

164

Families received at least one family service

VITA Tax Assistance

Community Action of South Mississippi has provided free tax preparation assistance for 16+ years to individuals who make under $58,000 per year.

$6.31M

Total Tax Refunds Returned to Community

3,220

Federal Returns Completed

$200

Average Family Savings on Tax Prep

Food Pantry

Food insecurity is a problem throughout the Community Action of South Mississippi service area. Food baskets are distributed on Fridays or on an emergency basis as needed.

Individuals Helped in 2021

562 Total Individuals

287 Households Served

261

Adults

164

Seniors

137

Children

Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a critical, life-saving program that targets and serves the most vulnerable: older Americans, individuals with disabilities, and children. The majority of these families survive on less than $20,000 per year.

5,473

Individuals Received LIHEAP through CASOMS

George, Harrison, and Jackson Counties

Funds Administered to Providers

Mississippi Power $1,226,287

Singing River EPA $721,631

Coast Electric $220,515

Center Point Energy $20,503

Parent and Family Engagement

We began the 2020-2021 school year by inviting parents to a Summer Orientation focused on School Readiness and the Seven Family Outcomes: Family Well-Being, Positive Parent-Child Relationships, Families as Lifelong Educators, Families as Learners, Family Engagement in Transitions, Family Connections to Peers and Community, and Families as Advocates and Leaders.

Engagement Activities

Monthly Parent Meetings Mardi Gras Parade Literacy Awareness with Dr. Seuss Men's Breakfast Fall Festival Cultures Around the World Financial Literacy Workshops Bras Across the River Food Drive Turkey Box Contest Kiddie Day Sweetheart Ball

Senior Services

Healthy bodies, alert minds, energized spirits. Community Action of South Mississippi's Senior Program is designed to deliver year-round services for adults 60+ through diverse activities to support independence and enhance quality of life. During the pandemic, congregate meals and transportation were severely impacted, but staff continued delivering meals and providing companionship to isolated seniors.

14,112

Meals Served

Including home-delivered meals

3,473

Transportation Rides

3,312

Senior Center Visits

Community Engagement

CASOMS partners with organizations across the Gulf Coast to strengthen communities and expand services.

Health Advisory Committee United Way Literacy Week Chevron Refinery Little Libraries Pascagoula Audubon Center Scranton Nature Center Lynn Meadows Children's Museum Pascagoula-Gautier School District Excel by 5 Pre-K Launchpad Books Come Alive Jackson & George County Library American Cancer Society Relay for Life American Heart Association Heart Walk Breast Cancer Awareness Month HIV/AIDS Awareness Workshops Coastal Family Health Center South MS Smiles Vision Center Vancleave Library Vancleave Volunteer Fire Department

Our Locations

Head Start Centers

Gautier HS (Gautier Elementary)

505 Magnolia Tree Drive, Gautier, MS 39553

Gautier Head Start Center

1017 Highway 90, Gautier, MS 39553

Martin Bluff HS (Martin Bluff Elementary)

1306 Roys Rd, Gautier, MS 39553

Taconi Head Start

711 Magnolia Street, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Pascagoula HS

3301 Spruce Street, Pascagoula, MS 39581

Jefferson Head Start Center