DMCAA Letter to the public

DES
MOINES
COMMUNITY
ACTION
AGENCY
The Des Moines City Council has authorized the negotiation of an agreement that would move the
services being provided to the residents of the City by the Des Moines Community Action Agency to
the Red Rock Area Community Action Program. Red Rock is a private non-profit community action
agency which currently serves Polk County (non-Des Moines residents) along with Boone, Jasper,
Marion and Warren counties.
A public informational meeting was held on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at
5:30 p.m. in Park Fair Mall, 100 E. Euclid; Suite 101 – Lower Level.
Des Moines Community Action Agency serves residents of the City of Des Moines with programs
that assist low-income families such as LIHEAP or energy assistance, financial education, and food
pantry, to name a few.
Impacts of the agreement include:
 All Des Moines Community Action Agency programs will remain the same
 Proportion of service dollars to the City will remain the same
 Representatives from Des Moines will serve on the Red Rock Board
o A Des Moines Policy Advisory Committee reporting to the Red Rock Board will be
established. Two members of this committee will serve on the Board
 Red Rock will employ Des Moines Community Action employees
 The Red Rock administrative office will relocate to Polk County River Place in 2016
 The City will re-purpose $150,000 Community Development Block Grant dollars now in
the Community Action budget to other City needs
Benefits of the agreement include:
 Enhanced/expanded services to low-income families: o
Regional service area offices (home/work locations);
 Improved visibility/service delivery through unified service area;
 No duplication of Director expenses (cost savings);
 No duplication of costs for services (accounting, IT, etc.) (cost savings)
This change is anticipated to go before the Des Moines City Council in late March or early April for
final review and approval.
For more information or to express your opinion:
call: 248-6237 • email: dm.caa@dmgov.org • web site: www.dmgov.org/hs/dmcaa
Des Moines Community Action Agency
844
Sixth Avenue • 1618 6th Avenue • Des Moines,IA 50314 • (515) 248.6237