2023 Annual Report

Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2022

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.

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Letter from the Executive Director

After several years of tumultuous change brought on by the pandemic, a change in leadership, and a name change, the agency began to settle into a new routine. Head Start was finally able to return to normal after operating with reduced class sizes to combat the spread of COVID-19. Parents and children alike were excited by this news and the year began full of hope for the future.

The Aging Transportation program struggled to hire and retain drivers, so dedicated staff pitched in to ensure that our seniors were picked up and delivered daily. Participation by seniors returned to pre-COVID numbers as their confidence in our ability to keep them safe from airborne contagions increased. They were ready to mingle after being isolated for so long.

COVID funding and guidelines also began to phase out this year. As we embarked on a new normal, it was important to maintain open lines of communication with the community and staff regarding expectations as we moved forward.

The leadership and faithful employees of this agency are to be commended for navigating successfully through each adversity that has come our way. We are strong, resourceful, and resilient. We look forward to the years ahead and the opportunity to continue serving our community.

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 Williams

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, Community Action of South Mississippi, Inc. complied, in all material respects, with the types of compliance requirements that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended September 30, 2022.

Policy Council

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 2023

Total Federal Revenue

$11,713,422

Across 12 federal programs serving Jackson, Harrison, and George counties

Federal programs revenue for fiscal year 2023
Program	Amount
Head Start (Operating)	$5,902,712
LIHEAP (Energy Assistance)	$2,817,559
CSBG (Community Services Block Grant)	$874,271
LIHWAP CAA (Water Assistance)	$580,088
LIHWAP ARPA (Water Assistance)	$454,614
USDA (Child Nutrition)	$375,969
Title XX (Transportation)	$232,551
TANF (Parenting Initiative)	$215,971
VITA (Tax Assistance)	$72,973
Title III B (Senior Centers)	$68,452
Title III C (Congregate Meals)	$66,854
FDCH (Family Day Care Homes)	$51,408
Total	$11,713,422

Head Start Budget

FY2022 Expenditures

7/1/2022 – 4/30/2023

Head Start and Early Head Start expenditures for fiscal year 2022
Category	Amount
Personnel	$2,486,316
Fringe Benefits	$991,217
Equipment	$543,670
Contractual	$467,401
Indirect Costs	$415,727
Supplies	$347,696
Miscellaneous*	$201,053
Travel/Training	$82,034
Other**	$43,816
Total	$5,578,930

FY2023 Proposed

5/1/2023 – 4/30/2024

Head Start and Early Head Start proposed expenditures for fiscal year 2023
Category	Amount
Personnel	$3,498,333
Fringe Benefits	$1,333,002
Indirect Costs	$664,334
Contractual	$486,055
Miscellaneous*	$189,520
Supplies	$91,251
Travel/Training	$76,887
Other**	$41,065
Equipment	$13,332
Total	$6,393,779

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

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

Head Start

Enrollment

534

Funded Enrollment

498

Cumulative Enrollment

Eligibility

Head Start eligibility categories
Below 100% Poverty	273
Public Assistance (TANF/SSI)	153
Disability/Special Needs	35
Homeless	29
Over Income	25
Foster Care	8

Primary Language

Head Start children by primary language
English	470
Dual Language	40
Spanish	27
American Sign Language	1

Early Head Start

Enrollment

Funded Enrollment

114

Cumulative Enrollment

Eligibility

Early Head Start eligibility categories
Below 100% Poverty	59
Public Assistance (TANF/SSI)	39
Foster Care	8
Homeless	6
Disability/Special Needs	2
Over Income	0

Primary Language

Early Head Start children by primary language
English	108
Dual Language	7
Spanish	6

Head Start Race and Ethnicity

Head Start children by race and ethnicity
Race	Children
Black or African American	316
White	138
Biracial or Multi-Racial	38
Asian	2
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	2
American Indian or Alaska Native	1

Early Head Start Race and Ethnicity

Early Head Start children by race and ethnicity
Race	Children
Black or African American	74
White	27
Biracial or Multi-Racial	12
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	1
Asian	0
American Indian or Alaska Native	0

School Readiness

Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment Results

To collect school readiness data, the agency used the Teaching Strategies GOLD online assessment instrument. The system measures the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are most predictive of school success. 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	92	73	47	27	74	96
Physical	88	76	47	31	71	97
Cognitive	91	80	46	28	67	99
Language	91	81	58	28	66	87
Literacy	93	91	69	25	56	75
Mathematics	100	105	65	18	42	79

E = Emerging (developing the skill)

A = Accomplished (mastered the skill)

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Community Action of South Mississippi engages in programming to assist clients with meeting their goals in the areas of Employment, Education, Income and Asset Building, Housing, Health and Social Behavior, and Civic Engagement. Employment, Education, and Housing have been serious issues this year.

Employment

238

Mississippians assisted with employment, salary increases, and workplace skills

Housing

293

Households assisted to eliminate homelessness and prevent evictions

$263,726

Housing Assistance Funded

Education

Clients completed a recognized credential, certificate, or degree

Health & Social Behavior

2,481

Clients helped with nutrition, cooking, shopping, and budgeting skills

Seniors

2,160

Senior citizens helped to maintain an independent lifestyle

Disability Support

1,997

Mississippians with disabilities helped to maintain independence

Income & Asset Building

1,449

Assisted meeting basic needs

251

Improved financial well-being

Civic Engagement

261

Mississippians assisted in improving leadership and community engagement skills

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs for George, Harrison, and Jackson counties. All funds are paid directly to utility companies on behalf of the eligible family.

4,563

Households Assisted

9,684

Individuals Assisted

$435,277

HVAC Repairs and Replacements

Largest Vendor Payments in 2023

LIHEAP payments to largest utility vendors in 2023
Mississippi Power	$2,022,677
Singing River EPA	$1,255,025
Coast EPA	$496,816

Low-Income Household Water Assistance (LIHWAP)

LIHWAP provided 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 water providers on behalf of eligible families. This program was discontinued for 2024.

1,525

Families Assisted

George, Harrison, and Jackson Counties

$519,777

Total Benefits Provided to Water Providers

Parenting Initiative

With TANF grant funding, CASOMS provides parenting classes in Harrison and Jackson counties using Active Parenting and Within My Reach curricula. Through pre/post testing and annual follow up, 100% of families who participated report still using the tools they learned.

488

Parents in Active Parenting

Harrison & Jackson Counties

Adults in Within My Reach

Relationship Workshops

100%

of Families Still Using Tools Learned

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The South Mississippi VITA coalition is comprised of Community Action of South MS, Mercy Housing and Human Development, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, and Keesler AFB. VITA is offered at 6 locations across the coast and has provided tax assistance for 18+ years to individuals who make under $65,000 per year.

$5.26M

Total Tax Refunds Returned to Community

3,697

Federal Returns Completed

1,193

Total Volunteer Hours

$260

Average Family Savings on Tax Prep

Food Pantry

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, including meat, fish, dairy, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and canned goods.

In 2023, CASOMS expanded the food pantry operation to include George County through a partnership with Sisters in Christ and Feeding America.

Boxes Provided

2,657 Individuals

In Jackson & George Counties

2,220

Total Households

1,547

Senior Citizens

716

Adults

394

Children

Nutrition Programs

Summer Food Service

4,200

Total Meals Provided Summer 2023

CACFP

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 through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Family Day Care Homes

CASOMS operates the FDCH program in George, Harrison, Jackson, Perry, and Stone counties, providing meal reimbursements for licensed and alternate approved homes caring for children under 13.

60+ Senior Programs

Healthy bodies, alert minds, energized spirits. CASOMS Senior Program offers adults age 60 and over year-round activities to support independence and enhance quality of life. We are pleased to say that we have finally recouped our pre-COVID attendance and participation.

26,109

Transportation Trips

16,358

Senior Center Visits

14,693

Congregate Meals Served

Community Engagement

CASOMS partners with organizations across the Gulf Coast to strengthen communities and expand services for the families we serve.

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 Vancleave Library Vancleave Volunteer Fire Department Let's Go Gulf Coast BAZ Family Medical Clinic Vision Center

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