What is ARRA and how is CVCAC using ARRA funds?

CVCAC is an active participant in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. ARRA funded programs bring additional resources and opportunities to central Vermont to create jobs and improve our state and local economy.

For more general information on ARRA, please visit the official U.S. ARRA website: www.recovery.gov

For more information on the resources coming to our state and the various ARRA-funded initiatives underway visit the Vermont Economic Stimulus and Recovery Portal: recovery.vermont.gov

CVCAC is committed to ensuring that ARRA funds are invested wisely in programs that help low-income Vermonters and grow the central Vermont economy. We are using ARRA funds to respond to the dramatic increases in requests for assistance due to rising unemployment, housing foreclosures, and high food and fuel prices.

CVCAC ARRA Projects

Head Start and Early Head Start - Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all Head Start and Early Head Start employees, and for program Quality Improvement Efforts through September 30, 2010.

In November, we built a new playground at the Brook Street School in Barre as part of our Head Start ARRA funded quality improvement efforts.

Weatherization Assistance Program - Increase the number of housing units made more energy-efficient, increase the amount of funds used to achieve increased energy savings, and raise the income limits for program eligibility for a three-year period.

• As of February 2010, 75 homes were made safer and more energy efficient with weatherization assistance and 233 more home units are currently in progress.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) - Additional funding to increase program income limits and to meet the rising demand for services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services and/or health to combat the central causes of poverty. As of February 2010,

• 541 senior citizens and 1021 people with disabilities received services to help them maintain independent living.
• 14 people became more self-sufficient with assistance building financial assets: 2 purchased a home, 2 pursued post secondary education and 10 started or enhanced their small business.
• 5,187 boxes of emergency food were distributed through one of our food shelves, reaching 3,917 people.
• 77 people obtained safe and affordable housing.
• 108 people were helped with emergency car or home repairs.
• 146 people were helped to maintain stable housing with emergency assistance.

Contact us at 1-800-639-1053 or (802) 479-1053 or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it