Project Grant 21SCGOK001

DELTA COMMUNITY ACTION FOUNDATION, INC. IS A PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLANNING, COORDINATING, AND EXECUTING PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED BY FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL ENTITIES TO ALLEVIATE AND ATTEMPT TO ERADICATE POVERTY IN SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA. THE MISSION OF DELTA COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY IS TO PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG OUR CITIZENS, TO SECURE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK, TO LIVE IN DECENCY, AND WITH DIGNITY. WE ARE REQUESTING FUNDING FOR THE DELTA SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $254,628 TO BE USED FOR 39 VOLUNTEER SERVICE YEARS (VSYS) TO PROVIDE VOLUNTEER WORK IN CARTER, COMANCHE, GARVIN, MCCLAIN, MURRAY, AND STEPHENS COUNTIES, LOCATED IN SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA. DELTA SCP VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE AT MINIMUM 43 ELDERLY ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, OR MENTAL HEALTH LIMITATIONS. EVERY VOLUNTEER WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. SCP VOLUNTEERS WILL ASSIST FRAIL SENIORS IDENTIFIED BY LOCAL HOME HEALTH-CARE AGENCIES, REFERRALS, AND OTHER COLLABORATIONS. VOLUNTEERS WILL ASSIST CLIENTS BY PROVIDING COMPANIONSHIP, HELPING CLIENTS WITH CHORES SUCH AS LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING, BUYING GROCERIES, AND FINDING TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. THE VOLUNTEER WILL MEET WITH EACH CLIENT 3-5 DAYS A WEEK AND SERVE 15-40 HOURS PER WEEK ASSISTING CLIENTS IN MAINTAINING AN INDEPENDENT LIFESTYLE. SC VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO PROVIDE NON-PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO ASSIST PRIMARY CAREGIVERS IN TAKING CARE OF SENIORS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND. SPECIAL DUTIES WILL BE ASSIGNED AT PLACEMENT BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE CAREGIVER/CLIENT. THE VOLUNTEER WILL PROVIDE RESPITE SERVICES AT A MINIMUM OF 2 TIMES PER WEEK AND MUST NOT SERVE MORE THAN 40 HOURS PER WEEK OR 8 HOURS IN ONE SINGLE DAY. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THE DELTA SCP IS HEALTHY FUTURES. VOLUNTEERS WILL ASSIST IN PREVENTING OR DELAYING INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF ADULTS, PRIMARILY OLDER ADULTS, WITH MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND/OR PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS WHO NEED OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL TO MANAGE THEIR LIVES. VOLUNTEERS WILL ALSO PROVIDE CARE TO HOUSEHOLDS IN WHICH THE BURDEN OF CARE RESTS WITH HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS WHO FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT NEEDED TO PREVENT INSTITUTIONALIZATION. THE ANTICIPATED OUTCOME AT THE END OF THE GRANT WILL BE THAT AGING ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS WILL RECEIVE CARE AND SERVICES ALLOWING THEM TO HAVE INCREASED SOCIAL TIES AND SUPPORT. THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $254,628 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY ANTICIPATED FUNDING OF IN-KIND DONATIONS TOTALING MORE THAN $25,463.