(NEMCSA) is to provide quality programs and services to strengthen

2014
Annual Report
Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency
Our mission at
Northeast
Michigan
Community
Service Agency
(NEMCSA) is to
provide quality
programs and
services to
strengthen and
enhance the selfsufficiency of
individuals,
families and
communities
through the best
use of human and
financial
resources,
focusing on those
who are
experiencing an
economic
hardship.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and volunteers of Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), we
present this report of Fiscal Year 2014. As always, we had a successful year with the usual highs and lows. We were able to
begin implementation of the School Success Program in new counties and expand the Weatherization Program beyond its
typical funding both through an injection of monies authorized by the Michigan legislature. We were able to expand the
home foreclosure programs and begin some new approaches to the process. Head Start continued to integrate more
children into the program with Great Start Readiness funding. The Medicaid Waiver Program was expanded and we were
able to serve more homebound elderly and disabled residents. We are wrapping up a two year process in Strategic Planning
that is mapping out NEMCSA’s future.
With all of that, we had a successful year that culminated in meeting almost all of our program goals. We enter 2015 with
the Head Start beginning a five year grant, the senior programs growing, and weatherization on stronger footing. I can only
believe that there are many positive actions NEMCSA will be able to bring to our communities and residents in future years.
There have been some internal changes as well. John Briggs, former COO and Brenda Lucas, Associate Director of Human
Resources retired after many years and I announced my retirement for this summer. Lisa Bolen, a former manager when we
operated the Michigan Works! programs has been selected as my replacement.
As this is my last introduction to our annual report, I would like to reflect briefly on the years I was here. When I started in
1972, our total budget was under 1 million dollars; it is now more than $45 million. There were only a couple of dozen staff
43 years ago and now we have 655 full and part time people on board. Our annual payroll of over $18 million has a true
economic impact on communities. We remain the only Community Action Agency that is also an Area Agency on Aging. All of
our counties have active and viable housing commissions. There are two growing and stable community health centers. The
Head Start Program now covers 21 of Michigan’s 83 counties. In addition to the many thousands of clients we have served,
we also have assisted communities with planning and development activities ranging from recreation plans to water
systems. We have helped to acquire shoreline for public use, have developed parks and playgrounds, have written grants
that built community centers, recreation facilities and fire halls. NEMCSA’s reach and impact has been varied and significant,
limited only by the vision of NEMCSA staff, our many partners, and the communities we serve. There have been many
talented and creative people that made this possible. No one person can claim the successes NEMCSA has had.
As I wrap up my career with Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, I am proud to say that we have always honored
the “Community” part of our name. We have adhered to our mission to ameliorate the causes and conditions of poverty in
our region. We have made a difference in the lives of individuals; we have helped to stabilize families; we have aided in the
growth of communities. I leave a strong and stable agency in the hands of my capable successor and a staff that I have
helped to build over the years.
So, thank you to the Board, staff and communities of northeast Michigan. It has been a good ride.
Sincerely,
John M. Swise, CEO
On the cover…
Head Start and Early Head Start students/parents
participating in a variety of fun learning activities
throughout the year.
Program Highlights
Area Agency on Aging
At age 47, William was diagnosed with COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. He was wheelchair bound
and dependent on assistance with all daily activities. He was told by nursing home staff that it would
be impossible for him to return to the community, let alone ever live independently due to his limited
family support, complex medical conditions and on-going weight struggles.
After three years in a nursing home, The Area Agency on Aging’s
Nursing Facility Transition Team, along with a Housing Coordinator,
successfully placed William in a low-income, barrier-free apartment
located downtown close to his doctors and other community event
facilities. MI Choice Waiver services were put into place seven days
a week to assist him with all personal care, housekeeping, meal
preparation and medical management. Although William is unable
to perform many tasks without assistance, the services he receives
allow him to remain in his home instead of being forced back into
nursing home care.
After one year in his new living situation, William socializes daily with
other tenants in his apartment complex, maintains great
relationships with his home health aides provided by the Waiver
program, has lost over 100 pounds and states, “(I) have never felt
so good.” William’s greatest achievement is continuing to remain
living independently in his own apartment, where he now calls home and is thriving.
Early Head Start (EHS)
A Bay City family participating in NEMCSA’s Early Head Start Program,
was continuing to struggle to keep up with their heating bill.
They reached out to EHS staff where they were referred to a local
agency for assistance. Reluctant to accept help at first, they
continued to get further behind until they were faced with a shut-off
notice in the middle of winter. They realized being without heat was
not an option so they completed the assistance forms. EHS staff
provided support by printing forms, making copies of required
documentation and faxing the completed application. This resulted
in overdue heating bills being paid and easing some of the family’s
financial burden. EHS also helped educate the family on budgeting
their tax refund money. During home visits, they discussed making
responsible choices as parents and decided to pay off accrued debt
instead of taking a family vacation that was suggested by their
friends. This allowed them to free up money each month for utility,
food and clothing costs.
Divisions and Programs
Client Services
The Emergency Food Assistance Program
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Weatherization Assistance Program
Crisis Prevention Programs
Michigan Enrolls
Emergency Solutions Grant
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Rural Supportive Housing Program
Transitional Supportive Housing Leasing
Assistance Program
Earned Income Tax Credit Program
Homeless Continuum of Care
Early Childhood Services
Head Start
Early Head Start
Great Start Readiness Program
Community Development
Census Affiliate
Housing Technical Assistance
Individual Development Account Program
Family Self Sufficiency
Foreclosure Services Program
Homebuyer Education & Financial Capability
Volunteer Services
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)
Senior Companion Program (SCP)
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
School Success Partnership
School Success Program
Area Agency on Aging
Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program
Long Term Care Ombudsman
In-Home Services
Congregate Meals
Home Delivered Meals
National Family Caregiver Support
Adult Day Care Services
Care Management
MI-Choice Waiver Program
Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund
MI Cafe’
Personal Action Towards Health (PATH)
Matter of Balance
Creating Confident Caregivers
Revenue
Revenue & Expenditures 2014
Revenue by Source
Federal Share
State Share
Local/In-kind Share
$34,396,030
$6,960,507
$4,604,307
75%
15%
10%
All Sources
$45,960,844 100%
Federal Share
State Share
Local/In-kind Share
Expenditures by Division
Early Childhood Programs
Community Based Care Programs
Client Services Programs
Aging Programs
Youth Services Programs
Volunteer Programs
Community Development Programs
Management and General
Total Expenditures
$23,791,132
$9,131,602
$4,430,047
$4,197,022
$1,675,006
$666,240
$200,798
$1,869,027
51.8%
19.9%
9.6%
9.1%
3.7%
1.4%
0.4%
4.1%
$45,960,844
100%
Expenditures
Early Childhood
Community Based Care
Client Services
Area Agency on Aging
Youth Services
Volunteer Services
Community Development
Management & General
*NEMCSA has no unfunded pension or retiree benefit costs.
Board of Directors (Current)
Board Officers: President, Pete Hennard; Vice President-Vacant; Treasurer, Kenneth Glasser
Public Representatives
Kathleen Vichunas, Alcona County
Albert LaFleche, Montmorency County
Mary Hess, Alpena County
Pete Hennard, Ogemaw County
Virginia Zygiel, Arenac County
Mark Grantner, Oscoda County
Bruce Gauthier, Cheboygan County
Kenneth Glasser, Otsego County
Sharon Priebe, Crawford County
Lee Gapczynski, Presque Isle County
Robert Cudney, Iosco County
Consumer Representatives
Carol Athan
John Smock
Board Committees
Corleen Proulx
Meagan Holmes
Audit/Finance Committee
Earl Corpe
Melissa Holt
Erin Bills
Patricia Rondeau
Gerald Wall
Vacant
Kenneth Glasser, Chairperson
Early Childhood Services Committee
Karen Lee, Chairperson
Gail Fortune
Membership Committee
John Morrison, Chairperson
Personnel Committee
Private Representatives
Meagan Holmes, Chairperson
Carol Wenzel
Leonard Page
Dale A. Huggler
Rose Walsh
Dawn Lawrence
Steve Lange
Jack Mahank
John Morrison
Stuart Bartlett
Program Planning & Evaluation Committee
Jack Mahank, Chairperson
Vacant
Karen Lee
Administration
John Swise, Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Bolen, Executive Director
Karen Godi, Executive Assistant/Community Development Director
Jim Robarge, Chief Financial Officer
Karen Kelsey, Accounting Director
Diane Price, Administrative Services Director
Carol Shafto, Planning & Evaluation Director
Linda McGillis, Early Childhood Services Director
Dorothy Pintar, School Success Partnership Director
Robert Cain, Client Services Program Director
Laurie Sauer, Area Agency on Aging Program Director
Barbara Dault, Volunteer Services Program Director
Ed Dowling, IT Director
Area Agency on Aging
Care Management Waiver
Volunteer Programs (FGP/SCP)
NEMCSA Housing Programs
Service Area
Head Start
Service Area
Client Services
Community Development
School Success Partnership
Service Area
NEMCSA Basic Service Area
Early Head Start
Service Area
2375 Gordon Road, Alpena MI 49707
Tel. 989-358-4600 • Fax 989-354-5909
Toll free: 866-484-7077
www.nemcsa.org
This publication is funded in part by the State of Michigan.