When it comes to giving in Rhode Island, there may be no more powerful force than the Rhode Island Community Action Association. But its executive director notes the group’s alliance with United Way of Rhode Island and other partners is imperative to its success aiding the most vulnerable.
RICCA’s leader for the past decade, Paula McFarland was recognized with a United Way 211 Award for her work leading the trade association of community action agencies. The award is named after United Way’s 211 resource line, a free, confidential clearinghouse for folks in need of services such as food assistance, suicide-prevention counseling, child care options, veterans’ benefits guidance or GED training. In 2015-16, volunteers on the 211 line answered more than 300,000 requests for help, according to United Way.
Congratulations on your United Way 211 Award. Could you explain how you and the Rhode Island Community Action Association are aligned with United Way? I’ve been on the advocacy board with United Way since they’ve had one – it’s been more than seven years – and 10 years since the start of 211. So, with our network in partnership, it marks my 10 years as well; it’s the birthdays of our being with our respective organizations.
I worked with 211 directly with the 2010 flooding in Rhode Island, which impacted many areas of the state. I was working in Warwick trying to house people, trying to get people in hotels. It was Easter Sunday, we were working with FEMA [the Federal Emergency Management Agency]. Then we were frontline after the flood when FEMA and the [American] Red Cross walked away.
So, if you need immediate assistance? Call the 211 referral line. It’s a great resource and the result of our partnership together. The majority of calls end up with one of our community-action agencies – 75 percent to 80 percent of calls.
Our advocacy work also makes us stronger together. We’ve worked with United Way on the housing policy committee, and were successful in moving up the earned-income tax credit in Rhode Island. The governor and General Assembly were very supportive.
What are some challenges for RICAA in serving economically challenged residents? Utilities have been an ongoing challenge – definitely at the forefront for families in need, along with the housing cost burden. The rising cost of home ownership and rentals just continue to price people out. We need opportunities for higher-end paying jobs and a livable wage. … Rentals are steadily rising. They used to be about $1,000 and are now about $1,500 to $1,600. Yet you should not spend more than 30 percent of income each month on housing. Food insecurity – access to pay for healthy foods – continues to be a concern.
How does RICAA and its agencies ensure community needs are being addressed? We do community-needs assessments, along with our 275 nonprofit partnerships – our members. We ask our school departments, police – everyone from municipal government to nonprofits, United Way, the Economic Progress Institute, [Rhode Island] KIDS COUNT, banks, the Rhode Island Foundation – all play an important role in making sure we find needs and identify what they are.
Performance-management and outcomes are our building blocks. There’s lots of reporting we have to do, and showing outcomes. Everything is documented on a quarterly basis. We also use the [HousingWorksRI] Housing Fact Book each year to see what livable wages are, based on family size. These resources are important. We utilize them to determine what the needs are before planning programs.
Does RICAA have a typical client? For some, it’s a one-time opportunity – [such as] they come in to get their taxes done for free. For some, it’s a longer amount of time; some are just always vulnerable in their everyday lives and need food banks, farmers markets, or help with utilities or heating. We see an array of families. More and more, though, we see families who are employed but don’t have a full-time opportunity and are working two to three jobs, still not making a living wage. How families are moving along the scale of opportunity, we have to report that federally. Every family, every individual is different. That’s the great thing about having so many programs. We can wrap services around them, provide them with comprehensive programs.
What are your plans and goals moving ahead? We wish more residents who make under $54,000 a year knew about our free tax-preparation services. Millions goes back into the Rhode Island economy and families get tax prep for free. Then there’s the fact they get back [things such as] childcare assistance [costs]. The person preparing their return is certified by the IRS – all have to go through training and be tested. Most families spending $300 are getting it back, and more. That’s money for repairs to a car, back-to-school clothing, or money for getting caught up on utility bills.
