Programs

• CSBG: Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funds support efforts to identify, reduce or eliminate the causes of poverty and to help solve problems that block the achievement of economic self-sufficiency.
  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides assistance with energy costs for households who are income eligible and responsible for home heating costs. There are two phases of the LIHEAP Program, the first of which is the subsidy component that begins in early November and ends mid-December. The second phase is the crisis component and this begins the first week of January and ends March 15, or until funds are expended.
    
  • Winter Care - This funding is supported by donations from area residents made to Cumberland Valley Electric, Delta Natural Gas, and Kentucky Utilities. Preference is given to elderly and/or disabled income eligible household or households with a child five years old or younger.
    
  • CSBG Emergency Information - CSBG Emergency funds are available to assist households in emergency situations, such as loss of home from fire, homelessness, etc., with some expenses. Consumer must complete an application to verify eligibility.
    
  • Summer Cooling Program - These funds are not available every year. Occasionally funding permits the purchase of air conditioning units. When funds are allotted, to receive assistance or an air conditioning unit, an application must be completed to determine eligibility.
    
  • Kentucky Vision Project - Kentucky Vision Project assists adults meeting income guidelines with eye exams and purchase of eye glasses. CSBG Outreach Staff is designated to complete and screen applications for assistance through the Kentucky Vision Project.
    
  • Emergency Food & Shelter (EF&S) Funds - Funds for this program are only available in Whitley County. These funds may be used to assist individuals meeting all guidelines with one month's rent or utility payment to provide one month's service.
    
• Head Start: Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs which serve pregnant women and children from birth to five years of age.
  
• Housing: Bell-Whitley CCA's Housing Initiatives assists low-income families to qualify to become homeowners and assist current homeowners with rehabilitation projects.
  • Repair Affair - Bell-Whitley CAA organizes and sponsors this event. Repair Affair is a one day event to fix or to spruce up homes of the elderly and/or person with disabilities who need a little help to maintain their homes. This all volunteer event is accomplished by people of all ages with varied skills. You can volunteer for the day and/or help by giving a tax deductible contribution of cash or materials. For more information on volunteering, making a tax deductible contribution of cash or materials, or to find out if you qualify for help in maintaining your home, contact Norman Cornelius at the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency office.
    
  • Homeownership Counseling - Bell-Whitley CAA seeks to assist perspective homeowners prepare for the purchasing a home through Homeownership Counseling program. By successfully completing the counseling program you will be better able to develop a budget and save for unexpected expenses, manage credit and understand how credit affects a mortgage loan, understand debt ratio, know what to expect at a loan closing, meet the ongoing financial obligations of homeownership, and basic home maintenance issues.
    
  • Home Rehabilitation - Bell-Whitley CAA seeks to assist current homeowners to make necessary repairs to their homes to resolve safety and building code issues to maintain a safe, affordable home. To qualify for the Home Rehabilitation program, participants must meet income guidelines, have a clear title and/or deed to property, and be willing to make a monthly mortgage payment if necessary, the home must be the primary residence of the homeowner, and must meet other criteria relevant to funding sources.
    
  • Homebuyer - Bell-Whitley CAA Homebuyer seeks to help low-income households reach the American Dream of homeownership. BWCAA is continually seeking funds to assist in down payments, closing costs, and gap financing. Homebuyers will normally have two mortgages. The first mortgage through a local lender and a second mortgage to assist in gap financing through Bell-Whitley CAA, Inc. To qualify for the Homebuyer program, participants must meet income guidelines, have a fixed income (wages, SSI, Social Security, etc.), be willing to make a monthly mortgage payment, attend homeownership counseling sessions to deal with credit issues, budgeting, home maintenance, and meet other criteria relevant to funding sources.
    
• JobSight: Eastern Kentucky's JobSight brings more than a dozen state and federal employment and training programs together under one roof to meet the needs of eastern Kentucky's job seekers and employers.
  
• PRIDE: PRIDE, or Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment works toward the vision of restoring the natural beauty of the native region, and by encouraging citizens to take responsibility for protecting their environment
  
• Summer Feeding: The Summer Food Service Program offers free, nutritious meals and fun at no charge to children 18 years of age and under during summer break from school.
  
• Weatherization: The Weatherization Program seeks to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households by things such as insulating, replacing doors, windows and other types of cost saving measures.
  
• WIA: The Workforce Investment Act provides assistance to both adults and youth in areas such as paid training, tuition assistance, job search and employer search, and other areas to help in the training and placement of individuals
  

Staff - The staff of the BWCAA and their contact information is listed here.

Directors - This page contains a list of those volunteers who serve as the board of directors for Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency.

Gallery -

Events - The BWCAA has many events that take place throughout the year, and can be found here.

Locations - The location of our two offices, complete with address, phone numbers, fax numbers, and a link to a map may be found here.

Links - Links to many organizations and school districts are provided here for your convenience.

Contact Us - A form is provided here for the purpose of contacting us for any information.

Privacy Policy - The privacy policy of the BWCAA is explained on this page.