Central Delta Community Action Agency officials told the Jefferson County Quorum Court on Sept. 8 they want residents facing financial hardship to know a broad range of free assistance is already available.
Executive Director Michelle Hood, Head Start leader Leslie Paschal Barnes, and Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association Executive Director Tomekia Moore described LIHEAP utility help, rental assistance, weatherization, workforce development and the Successful Transition to Economic Prosperity (STEP) case-management track. Agency materials say Central Delta serves Arkansas, Cleveland, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties and about 24,000 households.
Barnes said Head Start and Early Head Start serve roughly 230 Jefferson County children ages 6 weeks to 5 years at sites including St. Peter Catholic Church, and that the program brings about $5 million a year into the local economy. Interim County Judge Ivan Whitfield said the agency appeared to explain resources, not seek new county funding.
