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The Division of Community Action Agencies 

  • 1,327 FaDSS families participated in readiness skills activities. (State Fiscal Year 2019)
  • 1,162 homes were weatherized. (Program Year 2018)
  • 83,100 Iowa households received LIHEAP heating assistance benefits.
    (Federal Fiscal Year 2018)

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» Community Action Agencies

Community Action Agencies

The Division of Community Action Agencies (DCAA) addresses issues facing low-income families by bringing resources to the community level.  We link state and federal programs with 16 existing Community Action Agencies and other community based organizations across the state to effectively serve elderly, disabled and low-income Iowans.

The programs delivered by DCAA strengthen local communities and help Iowa's low-income families and individuals become more economically self-sufficient by:

Reducing home energy costs through investments in energy efficiency

The Weatherization Assistance Program (Weatherization) is a federal grant program established to help reduce the heating and cooling costs for low-income persons, particularly the elderly, disabled, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The installation of energy efficiency measures for each dwelling is based on a computerized energy audit which determines the cost effectiveness of each measure.

Visit the Weatherization homepage for more information, including where to apply for services in your area.

Providing financial assistance for energy bills and offering energy conservation education

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded block grant administered through the Iowa Department of Human Rights/Division of Community Action Agencies. It is designed to help eligible low-income Iowa households in the payment of a portion of their non-business residential heating costs for the winter heating season.

Visit the LIHEAP homepage for more information, including where to apply for services in your area.

Offering grant programs for communities to provide local services to low-income residents

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federal block grant program that is administered by the states.  The purpose of the CSBG is to provide funding to states and local agencies for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self-sufficient.

For more information, visit the CSBG homepage.

Delivering in-home family development services to increase employability, income and family stability

Families can participate in Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) if they are on the Family Investment Program (FIP) and are required to participate in Promise Jobs. FaDSS provides services statewide, through 17 agencies, to families facing multiple barriers to self-sufficiency and provides comprehensive in-home services through certified Family Development Specialists.

Visit the FaDSS homepage for more information, including where to apply for services in your area.

Promoting long-term financial stability through financial education and asset development

The Iowa Credit Union Foundation’s Credit Union Family Partnership Individual Development Account (IDA) Program offers matched savings accounts for Iowa families with limited resources who meet income-based criteria.

Visit the IDA homepage for more information.