CSNT finishes need assessment

Community Services of Northeast Texas (CSNT) has finished its needs assessment for the Northeast Texas area, giving their organization and our community a better understanding of how to meet the needs of the area communities.

CSNT is the organization in Cass County that provides help with utility bills through the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) and assists with a variety of other help-based services both in our county and in Northeast Texas.

CSNT, Inc. also administers Salvation Army funds for Cass and Marion counties. These funds allow CSNT, Inc. to assist transients and local clients with lodging, meals, gas, utilities, and prescriptions.

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) assists low-income households with the highest home energy needs, taking into account both the energy burden and vulnerable household members. Priority is given to low-income, elderly/ disabled, and families with children under the age of six.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds allow CSNT, Inc. to case manage clients to empower them to transition to self-reliance.

They also partner with HeadStart for this area. According to Michelle Morehead, the Executive Director of CSNT, “The needs assessment that we just completed took a look at all 12 counties in CSNT’s service area. Those counties include Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Rains, Red River and Titus.

“The needs assessments are completed every three years. We gather community needs information throughout the entire 3 years and start analyzing data a few months before the assessments are due to our funders.

“The purpose of the assessment is to ensure that CSNT focuses on the true needs in the service area. Conducting a Community Needs Assessment (CNA) is a federal requirement. USHHS IM 49 states ‘The entity and its board complete regular assessments of the entity’s overall mission, desired impact(s) and program structure, taking into account: 1) the needs of the community and its residents; 2) the relationship, or context of the activities supported by the entity to other anti-poverty community development services in the community; and 3) the extent to which the entity’s activities contribute to the accomplishment of one of more of the six ROMA national goals.’” “In USHHS IM 138, the Office of Community Services (OCS) recommends that States use the Organizational Standards developed by the OCS-supported CSBG Organizational Standards Center of Excellence (COE). These standards reflect the requirements of the CSBG Act, good management practices and the values of Community Action. ‘Organizational Standards 3.1-3.5 must be met by conducting and completing a Community Assessment every 3 years.

This report must contain current data in regards to how poverty relates to the gender, age and race/ethnicity of the persons in the service area, qualitative and quantitative data on the geographic service area and key findings on the causes and conditions of poverty and the needs of the communities assessed. The governing board of the agency must formally accept the completed community assessment.’” “Based on the assessment, the top 5 needs in our service area are Education, Employment, Transportation, Affordable Housing, and Healthcare.

“CSNT is able to help in many ways to meet the needs in our service area. Participants in our CSBG TOPS (Community Services Block Grant Transitioning Out of Poverty to Self-Sufficiency) and Reentry Programs have the opportunity to continue their education, receive assistance with employment-related needs, and many other opportunities. Participants in our CEAP Program (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program) are assisted with electric bills, natural gas bills, propane bills, and with wood for heating. Participants in our TBRA (Tenant Based Rental Assistance) Program are assisted with a portion of their rent and sometimes with utilities as well. All CSNT programs have income eligibility requirements. CEAP has an income eligibility requirement and a citizenship requirement.

“CSNT partners with other community agencies, businesses, and faith based organizations to help meet the needs of the communities that we serve. We are always interested in developing additional partnerships so we can help as many people as possible.

“The community can help by participating in surveys that are sent out on an annual basis. Participation in this assessment is critical to make sure we are focusing on the true needs of the community.

“The assessment is not all-inclusive. It is only as good as the information that is provided to CSNT. We gather information from the Census, the CAP Engagement Network, TWC, community partners, community members, and from clients/ potential clients. CSNT had a community forum (The Bridge Builders Event) in Marion County this year and we plan to start doing these events in the rest of our service area as soon as possible. These events take a lot of planning and funding, so we have to space them out.”

For more information on CSNT or information on how to get help go to their website at: csntexas.org.