Wayne Action Group For Economic Solvency Inc

HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START

HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START

PA-22, PA-20, PA-25 & PA-26

HEAD START FOR 414 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND EARLY HEAD START FOR 204 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

EARLY HEAD START

EARLY HEAD START/CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WAYNE ACTION GROUP FOR ECONOMIC SOLVENCY (WAGES) IS THE SPONSOR ORGANIZATION FOR THE WAGES FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM. WAGES IS A LOCAL NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY WHICH PLANS, DEVELOPS, AND ADMINISTERS HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WAGES WAS CHARTED BY A RESOLUTION OF THE WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON NOVEMBER 15, 1965. WAGES IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH AND GAIN INDEPENDENCE. WAGES ADVOCATES FOR THE DISADVANTAGED, ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH EDUCATION; PROVIDES SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERISM; AND MOBILIZES COMMUNITY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES. THE WAGES FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM IS REQUESTING 95 VOLUNTEER SERVICE YEARS (VSYS) AND $441,541 FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE MULTI-YEAR PROJECT PERIOD OF 7/1/2017 - 6/30/2020. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THE WAGES FGP WILL BE EDUCATION. WAGES FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL PROVIDE SERVICES WHICH IMPROVE SCHOOL READINESS FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED PRE-K CHILDREN AND ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF CHILDREN IN GRADES K-3. THE GOAL OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, ACCORDING TO GS115C-83, IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT READ AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE AND CONTINUE TO PROGRESS IN READING PROFICIENCY SO THAT HE OR SHE CAN READ, COMPREHEND, INTEGRATE, AND APPLY COMPLEX TEXTS NEEDED FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER SUCCESS. IN WAYNE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS DURING THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR, ONLY 46.0% OF THE LOW-INCOME OR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS READ AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL WHICH IS LOWER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE OF 57.7% ACCORDING TO THE NC SCHOOL REPORT CARDS. PRINCIPALS FROM SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND ONE CHARTER SCHOOL HAVE ACCEPTED FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS TO WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH IDENTIFIED SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL FOCUS ON IMPROVING STUDENTS READING SKILLS THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PLACED AT THOSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE ONE MAJOR GOAL; TO INCREASE READING PROFICIENCY OF THE COUNTY'S LOW-INCOME OR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. WAGES HEAD START SERVES 640 ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND AT-RISK CHILDREN TO PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN AND IN LIFE (WAGES 2016 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT). FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE BY ENGAGING THEM ONE- ON-ONE, MODELING AND REINFORCING APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND ENCOURAGING SELF-HELP SKILLS. FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS SERVING AT SIX HEAD START CENTERS WILL MENTOR AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PREPARE IDENTIFIED SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN. CURRENT STATISTICS SHOW THAT THERE ARE 2,660 CHILDREN AGES 0-5 IN REGULATED CHILDCARE IN WAYNE COUNTY. AS OF MARCH 2016, THERE WERE 25 FIVE STAR CENTERS IN WAYNE COUNTY; FIVE OF THOSE WERE OPERATED BY WAGES. MOREOVER, 59% (1,569) OF CHILDREN 0-5 ATTEND A 4 OR 5 STAR FACILITY. (WAGES 2016 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT). FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE AS POSITIVE ROLE MODELS AND WILL FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN AT LEAST TWO OF THE COUNTY'S REGULATED CHILDCARE CENTERS. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES WHICH ENCOURAGE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL EMBRACE PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEGUN TO GAIN A SENSE OF SELF, AND HAVE STRONG EMOTIONS DURING THESE DEVELOPMENTAL YEARS. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND NURTURING SUPPORT DURING ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS. THE GOAL OF THE FOSTER GRANDPARENTS IS TO ENRICH THE PROGRESS AND GROWTH OF IDENTIFIED CHILDREN. THE OVERALL ANTICIPATED OUTCOME OF THE WAGES FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM IS TO POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH PRE-ELEMENTARY AGED AND ELEMENTARY AGED ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED YOUTH BY INCREASING THEIR READING PROFICIENCY AND IMPROVING THEIR POTENTIAL OF SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2023-24 FGP PROGRAM. YOUR 2023-24 STATUTORY MATCH IS 10% AND YOUR BUDGETARY MATCH IS 10.01%

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WAYNE ACTION GROUP FOR ECONOMIC SOLVENCY (WAGES) IS THE SPONSOR ORGANIZATION FOR THE WAGES FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM. IT IS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT AGENCY THAT SERVES THE COMMUNITIES OF WAYNE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. IT IS A COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY DEDICATED TO HELPING WAYNE COUNTY MOBILIZE RESOURCES TO COMBAT POVERTY. WAGES WAS CHARTERED BY A RESOLUTION OF THE WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON NOVEMBER 15, 1965. THE AGENCY HELD ITS FIRST BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON NOVEMBER 19, 1965; OFFICERS WERE ELECTED AND A CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS WERE ADOPTED. THE FIRST OFFICE WAS OPENED ON MAY 1, 1966 IN GOLDSBORO, THE COUNTY SEAT OF WAYNE COUNTY, NC. THE AGENCY CONTINUES TO BE GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH IS COMPOSED OF ONE-THIRD PUBLIC OFFICIALS, ONE-THIRD REPRESENTATIVES OF LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, AND ONE-THIRD PRIVATE COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS. WAGES IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH AND GAIN INDEPENDENCE. WAGES ADVOCATES FOR THE DISADVANTAGED, ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH EDUCATION; PROVIDES SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERISM; AND MOBILIZES COMMUNITY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES. AN ESTIMATED 100 FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE. OF THIS NUMBER 95 VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME BASED ASSIGNMENTS. SOME OF THEIR ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE PROVIDING SERVICES WHICH IMPROVE SCHOOL READINESS FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED PRE-K STUDENTS IN HEAD START CLASSROOMS AND CHILDCARE CENTERS AS WELL AS ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS OF CHILDREN IN GRADES K-3. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS EDUCATION. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT AT LEAST 135 STUDENTS WILL SHOW IMPROVED ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT, INCREASED SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS AND SCHOOL READINESS. THE CNCS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $503,062 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $50,338.00. THE GOAL OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, ACCORDING TO GS115C-83, IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT READ AT OR ABOVE GRADE LEVEL BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE AND CONTINUE TO PROGRESS IN READING PROFICIENCY SO THAT HE OR SHE CAN READ, COMPREHEND, INTEGRATE, AND APPLY COMPLEX TEXTS NEEDED FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREER SUCCESS. IN WAYNE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS DURING THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR, EIGHT SCHOOLS WERE DETERMINED TO BE LOW PERFORMING SCHOOLS, ACCORDING TO THE NC SCHOOL REPORT CARDS. SIX OF THE EIGHT SCHOOLS RECEIVED A GRADE D WHICH SHOWS THE OVERALL SCORE OF THE SCHOOL'S ACHIEVEMENT ON STATE TESTS AND STUDENT'S ACADEMIC GROWTH. PRINCIPALS FROM FIVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND ONE CHARTER SCHOOL, ALL WITH GRADE D, HAVE ACCEPTED FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS TO WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH IDENTIFIED SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL FOCUS ON IMPROVING STUDENTS READING SKILLS THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PLACED AT THOSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL ASSIST IN INCREASING READING PROFICIENCY WHILE FOSTERING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE OF THE COUNTY'S LOW-INCOME OR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. WAGES HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM SERVES 618 ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED AND AT-RISK CHILDREN TO PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN AND IN LIFE (WAGES 2018 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT). FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE BY ENGAGING THEM ONE-ON-ONE, MODELING AND REINFORCING APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND ENCOURAGING SELF-HELP SKILLS. FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS SERVING AT SEVEN HEAD START CENTERS WILL MENTOR AND PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PREPARE IDENTIFIED SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN. FOSTER GRANDPARENT VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE AS POSITIVE ROLE MODELS AND WILL FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL AND/OR EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES WHICH ENCOURAGE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL EMBRACE PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEGUN TO GAIN A SENSE OF SELF, AND WHO HAVE STRONG EMOTIONS DURING THESE DEVELOPMENTAL YEARS. FOSTER GRANDPARENTS WILL PRO

EHS FY09 ARRA EXAPNSION

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2022?23 SCP PROGRAM. YOUR 2022?23 STATUTORY MATCH IS 10% AND YOUR BUDGETARY MATCH IS 10.0%.

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

ENGAGES PERSONS 55 AND OLDER IN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WAYNE ACTION GROUP FOR ECONOMIC SOLVENCY (WAGES) IS THE SPONSOR ORGANIZATION FOR THE WAGES SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM. WAGES IS A LOCAL NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, WHICH PLANS, DEVELOPS AND ADMINISTERS HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WAGES WAS CHARTERED BY A RESOLUTION OF THE WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON NOVEMBER 15, 1965. WAGES IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH, AND GAIN INDEPENDENCE. WAGES ADVOCATES FOR THE DISADVANTAGED; ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH EDUCATION; PROVIDES SERVICE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE; AND MOBILIZES COMMUNITY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES. THE WAGES SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM IS REQUESTING 75 VOLUNTEER SERVICE YEARS (VSYS) AND $330,235 FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT. THE WAGES SCP WILL ENGAGE 55 OF OUR VOLUNTEERS IN THE HEALTHY FUTURES AREA BY FOCUSING ON AGING IN PLACE, BY ADDRESSING INDEPENDENT LIVING AND RESPITE CARE, WHILE 7 OF OUR VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN A NEURO THERAPY MEDICAL FACILITY WHERE WAGES SENIOR COMPANIONS HAVE HISTORICALLY SERVED. WAGES PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY SERVICES TO SENIOR CITIZENS AND OLDER ADULTS; A GROWING POPULATION. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CENSUS FIGURES (2016), THERE ARE 19,156 INDIVIDUALS AGE 65 AND OVER IN WAYNE COUNTY. THE TWO LARGEST RACIAL GROUPS IN WAYNE COUNTY AMONG THIS POPULATION ARE CAUCASIANS (68.3%) AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS (29.2%). THE PROFILE SHOWS THAT 68.5% OF NORTH CAROLINIANS AGE 65 AND OLDER ARE WOMEN AND 31.5% ARE MEN. SIMILAR FIGURES HOLD TRUE IN WAYNE COUNTY WHERE WOMEN REPRESENT 51% AND MEN 49% OF THIS POPULATION. IN WAYNE COUNTY, AN ESTIMATED 23% OF THESE WOMEN ARE NOT MARRIED. ON THE OTHER HAND, 32% OF MEN ARE NOT MARRIED. 10.4% OF THE 65 AND OLDER POPULATION LIVE ALONE. THOUGH THIS POPULATION IS ONE OF THE NATION?S FASTEST GROWING, IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST UNDERSERVED. 9.7% PERCENT OF NORTH CAROLINA CITIZENS AGE 65 AND OLDER LIVE IN POVERTY, WHEREAS IN WAYNE COUNTY 10.1% LIVE BELOW 100% OF THE POVERTY LEVEL (AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY, US CENSUS FACT FINDER 2016). THOUGH THE AVERAGE IS HIGHER FOR WAYNE COUNTY, IT IS NONETHELESS ALARMING. IN 2015, 41.7 % OF THE NON-INSTITUTIONALIZED CIVILIAN POPULATION AGE 65 AND OLDER IN WAYNE COUNTY REPORTED TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE DISABILITY. DISABILITY IS DEFINED BY THE CENSUS AS ?A LONG LASTING PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR EMOTIONAL CONDITION. THIS CONDITION CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR A PERSON TO DO ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WALKING, CLIMBING STAIRS, DRESSING, BATHING, LEARNING, OR REMEMBERING. THIS CONDITION CAN ALSO IMPEDE A PERSON FROM BEING ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE THE HOME ALONE OR TO WORK AT A JOB OR BUSINESS? (U.S. CENSUS BUREAU, 2010). IN 2015, 58.3% OF THE NON-INSTITUTIONALIZED CIVILIAN POPULATION AGE 65 AND OLDER REPORTED TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE DISABILITY (U.S CENSUS 2015 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY). HAVING A SENIOR COMPANION TO ASSIST WITH SUCH TASKS WILL ENABLE THAT DISABLED INDIVIDUAL TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT AT HOME FOR A LONGER LENGTH OF TIME. A GROWING NEED AS SHOWN BY REQUESTS FOR SERVICES IS RESPITE CARE. WAYNE COUNTY DSS, SERVICES ON AGING, ALZHEIMERS NC INC., AND LOCAL HOME HEALTH AGENCIES CONTINUE TO HAVE REQUESTS AND WAITING LISTS FOR RESPITE SERVICES. WITH PEOPLE LIVING LONGER, OLDER ADULT CAREGIVERS ARE EXPECTED TO CARE FOR OLDER AND CHRONICALLY ILL FAMILY MEMBERS. HAVING A TIME OF RESPITE FROM THOSE CAREGIVING DUTIES HELPS RELIEVE STRESS AND ALLOWS FOR THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR CAREGIVING FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. WAYNE COUNTY IS HOME TO A REGIONAL ICF/IID NEURO-MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY THAT IS HOME TO INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. SENIOR COMPANIONS IN THIS SETTING CAN PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION TO AID IN DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING POTENTIAL FOR INDEPENDENT ACTIVITIES. WAGES COMPLETED THE 2017-2018 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT IN MAY 2017. THE PROCESS FOR CONDUCTING THE

ENGAGES PERSONS 55 AND OLDER IN SUPPORTIVE SERVICE TO CHILDREN IN NEED

ENGAGES PERSONS 55 AND OLDER IN VOLUNTER SERVICE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

ENGAGES PERSONS 55 AND OLDER IN SUPPORTIVE SERVICE TO CHILDREN IN NEED

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2025?26 SCP PROGRAM. YOUR 2025?26 STATUTORY MATCH IS 10% AND YOUR BUDGETARY MATCH IS 10%. YOU ARE APPROVED FOR PRE-AWARD COSTS BEGINNING JULY 1, 2025. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING PRE-AWARD COSTS RELATED TO VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT APPROVED: ? VOLUNTEER STIPENDS ? VOLUNTEER REIMBURSEMENTS SUCH AS MEALS, TRAVEL, AND RECOGNITION

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2026?27 FGP PROGRAM. YOUR 2026?27 STATUTORY MATCH IS 10% AND YOUR BUDGETARY MATCH IS 10.00%. THIS AWARD WAS APPROVED FOR CHANGES TO THE GEOGRAPHIC SERVICE AREA: ADD WILSON COUNTY GRANTEES WHO WERE APPROVED FOR AN INCREASE IN BASELINE FUNDING: THIS AWARD WAS APPROVED FOR AN INCREASE IN BASELINE FUNDING OF $147,446. THE NEW BASELINE FUNDING FOR THIS GRANT IS $675,000.

SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAM

ARRA

ARRA HS EXPANSION

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2025-26 AMERICORPS SENIORS RSVP PROGRAM. YOUR 2025–26 STATUTORY MATCH REQUIREMENT IS 10%, AND YOUR BUDGETED MATCH IS 14.95%. YOU ARE APPROVED FOR PREAWARD COSTS FROM 4/1/25 TO 5/29/25.

THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2022?24 ARP SENIOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM GRANT. YOUR 2022-24 STATUTORY MATCH REQUIREMENT IS 10% AND YOUR BUDGETED MATCH IS 10%. THE WAYNE ACTION GROUP FOR ECONOMIC SOLVENCY (WAGES) PROPOSES TO HAVE 20 AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS WHO WILL ASSIST WITH DAILY TASKS SUCH AS LIGHT MEAL PREPARATION, EXERCISING, LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING, MONITORING MEDICATIONS, AS WELL AS ACCOMPANYING A CLIENT TO THE GROCERY STORE, DOCTORS' APPOINTMENTS, AND ETC.IN WILSON COUNTY. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES. AT THE END OF THE TWO-YEAR GRANT, AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR 20 CAREGIVERS WHO WOULD HAVE RECEIVED RESPITE CARE; 30 CAREGIVERS WHO REPORTED HAVING INCREASED SOCIAL TIES/PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT; AND 25 INDIVIDUALS WHO REPORT HAVING INCREASED SOCIAL SUPPORT OR IMPROVED CAPACITY FOR INDEPENDENCE. THE AMERICORPS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $150,000 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $15,000. THIS AWARD FUNDS THE APPROVED 2022?23 SDP PROGRAM. YOUR 2022?23 STATUTORY MATCH IS 10% AND YOUR BUDGETARY MATCH IS 10.0%.

FOSTER GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM

WAYNE ACTION GROUP FOR ECONOMIC SOLVENCY, INC. (WAGES) IS PROPOSING TO BE THE SPONSOR ORGANIZATION FOR THE RSVP PROGRAM IN WAYNE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. WAGES IS A LOCAL NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY WHICH PLANS, DEVELOPS AND ADMINISTERS HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WAGES IS DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND HEALTH AND GAIN INDEPENDENCE. WAGES ADVOCATES FOR THE DISADVANTAGED, ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO RAISE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH EDUCATION; PROVIDES SERVICE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERISM; AND MOBILIZES COMMUNITY, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES. WAGES COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY IS REQUESTING SPONSORSHIP OF A NEW THREE-YEAR RSVP GRANT. THIS PROPOSAL REQUESTS FUNDING OF $98,094 FOR 300 RSVP VOLUNTEERS TO ADDRESS IDENTIFIED NEEDS IN THE FOCUS AREAS OF HEALTHY FUTURES- INDEPENDENT LIVING AND VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES. THE RSVP PROGRAM WAS PREVIOUSLY OPERATED IN WAYNE COUNTY BY WAYNE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUT WAS RELINQUISHED IN 2010, THEREFORE, WAYNE COUNTY IS A GEOGRAPHIC AREA WHERE THERE IS NO LONGER A RSVP PROJECT. WAGES IS THE CURRENT GRANTEE FOR BOTH THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT AND THE SENIOR COMPANION PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTY AND THEREFORE IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE MISSION AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. HEALTHY FUTURES- INDEPENDENT LIVING IS AN AREA OF ON-GOING NEED IN WAYNE COUNTY. A COMMUNITY WIDE SURVEY BY THE UNITED WAY OF WAYNE COUNTY AS WELL AS THE WAGES 2012 COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT IDENTIFIED HEALTH AND WELLNESS AS A TOP COMMUNITY PRIORITY. WITH THIS INFORMATION AS A BASIS, THE RSVP PROGRAM WILL ADDRESS THE HEALTHY FUTURES RSVP FOCUS AREA THROUGH THE "CONGREGATE MEALS" AND "FOOD SECURITY" SERVICE CATEGORIES. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE RECRUITED TO SUPPORT THE MEALS ON WHEELS HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM WHICH PROMOTES THE ABILITY OF HOMEBOUND, FRAIL OLDER ADULTS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE RSVP PROJECT WILL ALSO COLLABORATE WITH THE SENIOR CENTERS IN WAYNE COUNTY TO PROVIDE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE CONGREGATE MEAL PROGRAM SO THAT SENIORS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD RESOURCES. THE RSVP PROGRAM WILL RESULT IN 200 SENIOR VOLUNTEERS DELIVERING MEALS AND PROVIDING A DAILY CHECK FOR 250 MEALS ON WHEELS RECIPIENTS AS WELL AS 70 SENIOR VOLUNTEERS ASSISTING 275 CLIENTS WITH CONGREGATE MEALS. WAYNE COUNTY IS THE HOME OF SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE, BASE. THE 4TH FIGHTER WING PROVIDES WORLDWIDE DEPLOYABLE AIRCRAFT AND PERSONNEL CAPABLE OF EXECUTING COMBAT MISSIONS OF THE US AIR FORCE. AN ON-GOING DEPLOYMENT SCHEDULE RESULTS IN CHANGES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES OF ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY. THE VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES FOCUS AREA WILL BE ADDRESSED THROUGH THE "MENTORING FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN EDUCATION" SERVICE CATEGORY. THE RSVP PROJECT WILL COLLABORATE WITH 4-H AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO YOUTH OF ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY. VOLUNTEERS WILL BE RECRUITED TO INITIATE A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR THE LOCAL MILITARY 4-H CHAPTER. THROUGH THE MENTORING PROGRAM, SENIOR VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP TO MILITARY YOUTH. THE RSVP PROGRAM WILL RESULT IN 30 SENIOR VOLUNTEERS DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP AND PROVIDING MENTORING FOR 30 MILITARY YOUTH.