UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP INC

United Community Action Partnership, Inc. (UCAP) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation established under the Federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The Act directs and empowers us to address the causes and conditions of poverty at the local level. UCAP primarily serves individuals, families and communities of the following nine counties in central and southwest MN: Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lyon, Lincoln, McLeod, Meeker, Redwood, Renville. Effective October 1, 2016, UCAP is the result of a merger of Western Community Action, Inc. and Heartland Community Action Agency, Inc.

UCAP provides a variety of services in the following categories: Community & Family Services, Head Start, Housing, and Community Transit. The services offered in each category are:

COMMUNITY & FAMILY SERVICES
United Community Action Partnership offers a wide range of resources, training, technical assistance, and support for residents in our nine county area who have the desire to better their current situation and plan for the future. Services provided include:

Big Buddies
Child Care Aware
Emergency Shelter
Financial Education
Food Assistance
Rental & Mortgage Assistance
SOAR (SSI SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery)
Tax Clinic
Thrift Stores
Vehicle Donation Program
Refugee Resettlement Services

HEAD START PROGRAM
Early Head Start and Head Start are comprehensive child and family development programs.
Families are provided with activities and experiences that are developmentally appropriate and individualized for their child. The programs are designed to provide an array of services that fit the strengths and needs of each family.

WHO THESE PROGRAM SERVE
Early Head Start serves pregnant mothers, infants, toddlers and their families, and Head Start serves children who are three and four years old and their families who meet income guidelines set by the Federal government and reside in the following counties: Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Redwood and Renville.

OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Early Head Start and Head Start serves children with disabilities. Staff work with children on their goals that are set in their individual family education plan or individual education plan. Adaptions are made to meet the child’s needs.

NO COST
There are no costs associated with the Early Head Start or Head Start programs. These programs are free to eligible participants. Funding is provided by the Minnesota Department of Education and United Stated Department of Health and Human Office of Head Start.

HOUSING
Housing is often the largest single living expense for individuals and families.
Our goal is to provide a place for community members to leverage new and existing resources dedicated improving housing, reducing expenses, and alleviating unnecessary worry.

Through a multi-agency collaborative effort, United Community Action Partnership is able to address housing and home ownership needs through an easier, more efficient process and offer a greater breadth of programs. With home owners, renters, communities, and commercial property owners in mind, United Community Action Partnership Housing Services continues to administer programs and make additional referrals to meet the needs of thousands of people.
SOME OF THE WAYS WE ARE ABLE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES INCLUDE:
Improve safe, affordable housing options
Fund energy efficient upgrades and weatherproofing
Keep people in their own homes
Lower heating and cooling expenses
Help stretch budgets
Assist with home ownership
Access utilities and energy efficient appliance programs
Making sure people know what’s available to them
As you look through our services, please keep in mind that each application and qualification process is different. Some can take 30 days to several months to complete. Many programs have income guidelines and other specific information that needs to be gathered.

Through helping people find safe, affordable housing and handle related expenses, we’re able to set individuals and families on a path to more financial freedom, stability, and peace of mind so our communities can thrive.

COMMUNITY TRANSIT
Community Transit of United Community Action Partnership is a public transit service providing transportation options for all people throughout Southwest Minnesota.

Our fleet of over 20 lift-accessible buses is available throughout our primary service area in Southwest Minnesota. Everyone is welcome to ride Community Transit for dial-a-ride and scheduled routes for door-to-door or curb-to-curb service. Community Transit is a shared ride program. This means all trips will be coordinated to include as many passengers as possible based on their pick-up and drop-off locations.

Bus schedules are created in advance to meet the travel needs of passengers who have requested our services.