Poverty Is Real Helping People, Changing Lives

Results-Oriented Management Accountability (ROMA) is a performance-based initiative designed to preserve the anti-poverty focus of Community Action and to promote greater effectiveness.   ROMA was created in 1994 by a task force of Federal, state, and local community action officials - the Office of Community Services' Monitoring and Assessment Task Force (MATF).  The purposes of the action are to improve Federal program effectiveness and public accountability by promoting a focus on results, service quality and customer satisfaction.
KCEOC Community Action Partnership's State Fiscal Year 2013 report, which is listed below, illustrates sound management practices of KCEOC in the areas of assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation

The path to a brighter future may sometimes involve some guidance and support along the way.  It is with this in mind that job seekers in Knox County are seeking the help and support of their peers and Career Advisors through KCEOC Community Action Partnership’s Job Club initiative.  The first Job Club of the year is wrapping up, and already several participants have successfully found employment or are on track to explore new training opportunities!  Another Job Club is set to begin on August 20th, and KCEOC is looking for new members  to join!

Job Club is a small support group of job seekers who meet regularly to assist each other’s job searches thru peer support and encouragement. Job Club helps to rebuild self- confidence to those who may have lost a job due to layoffs, closures, etc.  The program introduces members to the workforce development system and other community resources.   Each week, topics will be discussed to better prepare members for the job market such as resume tips, interview skills, crafting an effective “elevator speech”, learning the difference between active and passive job searches, and tapping into the hidden job market.  Job Clubs focus on networking and connecting with people in a way that will help lead members to the job that they are best suited for.  The theory behind Job Club is that people lead people to jobs; it is no longer feasible to think simply answering an ad in the newspaper will lead to finding a job.  Employers are looking for people with particular skills to fill a gap.  It is up to the job seeker to show the employer how they can fill that gap thru an effective resume and successful interview.  Job Clubs are beneficial in that they help participants find their hidden talents and skills and gain the confidence needed to use utilize them.  

Anyone interested in attending Job Club should contact Dana Brown at KCEOC KY Career Center Jobsight office by calling 546-2639.

KCEOC Community Action Partnership is joining in the national commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of the War on Poverty and the inception of Community Action.

“Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope—some because of their poverty, and some because of their color, and all too many because of both. Our task is to help replace their despair with opportunity. This administration today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty in America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join with me in that effort.”       - President Lyndon B. Johnson, January 8, 1964  

It’s been 50 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty with a bold call to arms in his State of the Union Speech.  President Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964 and introduced initiatives to improve the lives of the poor by improving education, jobs, skills, and access to economic resources. 

Community Action was born that January, 50 years ago.  By December of the same year, KCEOC Community Action Partnership was created as one of the first Community Action Agencies in the country.  For the first time, power and tools were given to local people living in poor communities.  Community Action encouraged those living in poverty to take a role in determining the needs and creating programs to meet those needs in their own communities.  Community Action boards are partially comprised of low-income people.  The silent suffering of the poor was replaced by a strong voice.    

Since then, poverty has declined more than one-third in America.  In 1967, the poverty rate was 25.8%.  In 2012, it had dropped to 16%.  Community Action has played a large part in this success, but the War on Poverty has not yet been won.   

Since its inception, KCEOC Community Action Partnership has provided quality programs and services to the low-income in Knox County and surrounding areas.  Each year, KCEOC Community Action Partnership helps over 7,000 achieve financial stability through programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start, Weatherization, job training and placement, financial education, housing, and energy assistance. 

There is more work to be done.  There are still 49.7 million Americans living in poverty.  13.4 million of those are children.  The effects of poverty are enduring.  According to “The War on Poverty 50 Years Later: A Progress Report” released by The Executive Office of the President, about 40 percent of the differences in parents’ income are reflected in children’s income as they become adults.  This clearly illustrates the lingering effects poverty can have from one generation to the next.  This is a fight that takes time and we must not abandon our efforts as a nation to increase opportunity for all of our citizens. 

Thanks to the efforts of programs like Community Action, we have made real progress in the War on Poverty.  As a nation, we need to keep our eye on the goal and continue to increase opportunities for the poor to help themselves out of poverty.  As we reflect on our victories, we must stay vigilant and strive for continued improvements.