Greene Lamp Community Action announces and warns of potential service disruptions across 12 counties in Eastern, NC
Greene Lamp Community Action, a Community Action Agency providing services in Beaufort, Craven, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Lenoir, Martin, Pamlico, Pitt, Sampson, Wayne, and Wilson counties issued a warning and notification Monday that critical programs serving hundreds of local residents are at risk of disruption if the federal government shutdown continues.
Although Greene Lamp’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs, AmeriCorps Seniors and AmeriCorps Programs, Homelessness and Home Prevention programs and WIOA programs currently continue to operate, its’ Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program serving Lenoir, Greene, Pitt and Beaufort counties has been interrupted, affecting more than 200 families. Greene Lamp relies on federal funding to provide the communities served with tailored local programs for individuals and families facing financial hardship. These services range from job training, food assistance, education, and counseling to food and energy assistance, support community members often on the brink of disaster and enable them to achieve self-sufficiency. If the shutdown continues, many of these programs will join CSBG in being forced to close for an unforeseeable amount of time further impacting those in need.
“Individuals and families in our service areas rely on our programs, but federal funds are woven into the foundation of Greene Lamp Community Action. We’ve been a trusted part of the community for over 60 years, but if the shutdown continues, we have no choice but to continue curbing program services”, says Angela Bates, Executive Director.
Specifically, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which is now non-operational is fundamental to Greene Lamp Community Action’s operations. CSBG is a unique federal program that enables flexibility and local decision-making to prevent poverty and address community needs. CSBG provides core operational support that enables Greene Lamp Community Action to provide a range of other programs, including:
· The Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG), which assists the homeless population in obtaining housing.
· The Back @ Home Program, which is a housing relocation and stabilization service that provides short- and long-term rental assistance.
· And Head Start/Early Head start Program, which provides high-quality early childhood education to hard-working families who need assistance.
“The Community Services Block Grant has long received bipartisan support. It’s an effective and locally driven program that demonstrates results that transcend politics. However, due to the ongoing government shutdown, Community Action Agencies have had to suspend their programs, including those that serve our communities and policymakers alike,” notes David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation (NCA). “It’s crucial not only that Congress reach an agreement to resume funding, but also that federal infrastructure remains in place so that these dollars can reach the agencies’ doors and continue to support those in need, rather than being stuck in Washington, DC.”
Greene Lamp Community Action and NCAF urge Congress and the President to quickly end the shutdown and continue to support the Office of Community Services staff necessary to ensure the timely administration of the Community Services Block Grant.
Greene Lamp Community Action will continue to provide updates on program services and closures. For the latest information, please visit www.greenelamp.org.
