2022 Annual Report

Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2021

Program outcomes, financial data, 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.

Download PDF

Letter from the Executive Director

As I complete my first year as Executive Director, I have much for which to be thankful. Thank you to the agency's dedicated Board of Directors for engaging with the management team and guiding us through it all. The name change from Jackson County Civic Action to Community Action of South Mississippi was met with enthusiasm by the community. We continued branding activities throughout the year and began work on a strategic plan to take us into the future.

The agency continued to make positive gains toward recovery from the effects of the pandemic. Thanks to high vaccination rates among staff and clients, Head Start enrollment and Aging transportation increased significantly. Although staff shortages continue to plague operations, teamwork and dedication to the greater good buoyed staff, who wore multiple hats during this time.

The agency was able to meet the needs of more clients than in previous years, due to the influx of additional federal funds during the pandemic. Our partners are integral to our success. A huge thank you to the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Pascagoula Gautier School District for your continued support and partnership.

We were chosen, as an exemplary program, by the MS Department of Economic Assistance, to host Dr. Lanikque Howard, Director of the Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families. We assured her that the work we are entrusted with performing is being done well.

Vanessa Gibson

Executive Director

Executive Team

Vanessa Gibson

Executive Director

Lee Ann Kendrick

Adult Services Director

Tiffany Bradley

Finance Director

Tayonka Thomas

Children and Youth Services Director

Kelli Green

Human Resource Manager

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.

Board of Directors

Category I — Public Sector

Cynthia Black

Chairman

Terri Tyler

Secretary

Carlos Moulds

Nancy Jo Maples

Category II — Private Sector

Lauren Kelley

Vice Chairman

Mandye Feranda

Ricky McCorvey

Raquel Howard

Category III — Low-Income Sector

Paul Lee

Rosetta Williams

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, Inc. as of September 30, 2021, 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.

Policy Council

The CASOMS Head Start Policy Council provides parents with a voice in program planning, policies, and operations, fostering family engagement and community collaboration.

Community Representatives

Chivalry Joyce

Chairperson

Letha Boulton

Secretary, Personnel Chair

Laura Harry

Planning Chair

Christian Hartley

Finance Chair

Terri Tyler

Board Liaison

Parent Representatives

Shalimar Legister

Vice Chairperson

Tiffany Woods

Asst. Secretary, Grievance Chair

Julie Fortenberry

Octavia Holloway

Jessica Shoemake

Cha-Miracle Good

Khrystopher Green

Jessica Thomas

Nakilie Jefferson

Gwen Page

Antwon McNair

Federal Programs Revenue

Fiscal Year 2022

Total Federal Revenue

$11,302,347

Across 11 federal programs serving Jackson, Harrison, and George counties

Federal programs revenue for fiscal year 2022
Program	Amount
Head Start (Operating)	$5,743,001
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance)	$2,779,177
CSBG (Community Services Block Grant)	$900,960
Head Start (COVID)	$769,699
TANF (Parenting Initiative)	$367,368
USDA (Child Nutrition)	$292,820
Title XX (Transportation)	$209,932
VITA (Tax Assistance)	$72,973
Title III B (Senior Centers)	$62,747
Title III C (Congregate Meals)	$55,526
FDCH (Family Day Care Homes)	$48,144
Total	$11,302,347

Head Start Budget

FY2021 Expenditures

7/1/2021 – 4/30/2022

Head Start expenditures for fiscal year 2021
Category	Amount
Personnel	$2,577,313
Fringe Benefits	$898,301
Indirect Costs	$464,283
Contractual	$422,248
Miscellaneous*	$395,911
Supplies	$367,911
Other**	$208,347
Equipment	$49,596
Travel/Training	$36,861
Total	$5,420,771

FY2022 Proposed

5/1/2022 – 4/30/2023

Head Start proposed expenditures for fiscal year 2022
Category	Amount
Personnel	$3,148,110
Fringe Benefits	$1,249,793
Indirect Costs	$592,396
Contractual	$417,634
Miscellaneous*	$192,620
Supplies	$152,860
Travel/Training	$76,887
Other**	$45,415
Equipment	$26,997
Total	$5,902,712

*Miscellaneous includes utilities, lease payments, repairs, maintenance, facility maintenance, and telephone.

**Other includes food, medical and dental services, field trips and treats, parent activity, fuel, and awards/incentives.

Head Start

436

Funded Enrollment

477

Cumulative Enrollment

Eligibility

Head Start eligibility categories
Below 100% Poverty	369
Public Assistance (TANF/SSI)	42
Homeless	39
Foster Care	15
Disability/Special Needs	12
Over Income	0

Primary Language

Head Start children by primary language
English	444
Spanish	33

Early Head Start

Funded Enrollment

168

Cumulative Enrollment

Eligibility

Early Head Start eligibility categories
Below 100% Poverty	106
Public Assistance (TANF/SSI)	39
Homeless	16
Foster Care	6
Disability/Special Needs	1
Over Income	0

Primary Language

Early Head Start children by primary language
English	158
Dual Language	11
Spanish	10

Head Start Race and Ethnicity

Head Start children by race and ethnicity
Race	Hispanic/ Latino	Non-Hispanic
Black or African American	6	296
White	32	102
Biracial or Multi-Racial	6	31
Asian	2	0
American Indian or Alaska Native	0	1
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0	1

Early Head Start Race and Ethnicity

Early Head Start children by race and ethnicity
Race	Hispanic/ Latino	Non-Hispanic
Black or African American	5	106
White	10	36
Biracial or Multi-Racial	1	10
American Indian or Alaska Native	0	0
Asian	0	0
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0	0

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.

School readiness assessment results across Fall, Winter, and Spring periods
Area	Fall		Winter		Spring
Area	E	A	E	A	E	A
Social/Emotional	197	162	142	16	72	109
Physical	190	168	148	20	67	104
Language	196	163	146	17	72	105
Cognitive	194	169	151	16	65	101
Literacy	208	201	181	5	33	70
Mathematics	207	195	165	6	40	86

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	465	461
Enrolled in Medicaid and/or CHIP	438	434
Ongoing Source of Continuous Health Care	405	353
Up-to-Date on All Immunizations*	257	268
Up-to-Date on EPSDT Well Child Care	—	398
Received Treatment for Chronic Conditions	—	29

*Access to immunizations was limited during the pandemic.

Body Mass Index

244

Healthy Weight

135

Obese

Overweight

Underweight

Dental Health

362

At Enrollment

378

End of Year

Up-to-Date Oral Care

Received Treatment

Early Head Start Physical Health

Early Head Start children health coverage at enrollment compared to end of year
Health Indicator	At Enrollment	End of Year
Children with Health Insurance	133	129
Enrolled in Medicaid and/or CHIP	128	124
Ongoing Source of Continuous Health Care	105	90
Up-to-Date on All Immunizations*	123	83
Up-to-Date on EPSDT Well Child Care	—	48
Received Treatment for Chronic Conditions	—	5

Disability Services

Head Start (IEPs)

Children Receiving Special Services

Primary Disability

Speech or Language32
Developmental Delay3
Autism Spectrum Disorder1
Emotional Disturbance1

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

Due to a shortage of mental health professionals, the agency created relaxing spaces for staff and encouraged use of the Employee Assistance Program while implementing health and safety practices.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Employment, Education, and Housing have been serious issues this year. The agency engages in programming to assist clients with meeting their goals based on our annual community needs assessment.

Employment

139

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

Housing

667

Families found safe, affordable housing

130

Families avoided eviction

Education

Clients completed a credential, certificate, or degree

Health & Nutrition

2,745

Clients increased healthy nutrition, cooking, and budgeting skills

Seniors

1,577

Senior citizens retained independence and remained living at home

Disability Support

1,736

Disabled citizens retained independence and remained living at home

Income & Asset Building

1,447

Assisted meeting basic needs

241

Financial education

Civic Engagement

291

Mississippians improved leadership and community engagement skills

VITA Tax Assistance

$6.84M

Total Tax Refunds Returned to Community

3,359

Federal Returns Completed

$260

Average Family Savings

Food Pantry

Food insecurity is a problem throughout our service area. This year, CASOMS partnered with Aetna/CVS and Wayne Lees to provide 65 Thanksgiving baskets for seniors and those in need in Jackson County. We also provided food vouchers for families in Harrison and George counties.

945

Total Served

402

Adults

312

Seniors

231

Children

Water Assistance (LIHWAP)

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program received $13 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to help income-eligible residents maintain access to drinking water and wastewater services. Assistance covered water bills, wastewater and sewer bills, stormwater fees, reconnection fees, and late fees. All funds were paid directly to utility providers.

904

Households Served

George, Harrison, and Jackson Counties

$213,587

Total LIHWAP Benefits Provided to Water Providers

Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

Due to passage of the American Rescue Plan, Mississippi received a record $66.9 million for LIHEAP in 2021, more than double the state's typical annual funding. The highest amount Mississippi has ever received.

Mississippi LIHEAP Allocation

$66,900,905

Utility payment assistance and home weatherization programs

41,596

Households Received LIHEAP in MS

336,967

Households Eligible in MS

73.4%

of Recipients Have a Vulnerable Household Member

Parenting Initiative

With TANF grant funding, CASOMS began providing parenting classes in Harrison and Jackson counties in February 2022 using Active Parenting and Within My Reach curricula.

339

Parents in Active Parenting

February – October 2022

Parents in Within My Reach

Started September 2022

Nutrition Programs

CACFP

Child and Adult Care Food Program

CASOMS contracts with the MS Department of Education to provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks to children enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start, and First Step Childcare. CACFP also provides meals and snacks to children and youth who participate in afterschool care programs or reside in emergency shelters.

FDCH

Family Day Care Homes

CASOMS operates the FDCH program in George, Harrison, Jackson, Perry, and Stone counties. FDCH provides USDA meal reimbursements for private homes where children under 13 receive care, making day care more affordable for lower income families.

Licensed homes care for 6-15 children. Alternate approved homes care for 5 children or less.

SFSP

Summer Food Service Program

Due to severe staff shortages, CASOMS was unable to operate the Summer Food Service Program during the summer of 2022.

60+ Senior Programs

We remain flexible and determined to rebuild our aging program. As the pandemic continued, we saw significant drops in attendance at our senior centers and experienced staffing issues that impacted our transportation department. We are hopeful that 2023 will bring us closer to our pre-COVID numbers in attendance, transportation, and meals.

14,689

Transportation Rides

13,671

Senior Center Visits

11,970

Meals Served

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