Welcome to the Clinch Valley Community Action website. This site is designed to describe our agency and all of the programs available for those eligible to participate.  This site also gives us the opportunity to pay special tribute to those who work tirelessly to ensure that not only CVCA’s services are delivered, but that our community is a better place to live.
 

Tazewell RSVP Volunteers Recognized

Tazewell, Va. – Members of America’s Founding Volunteer Army had the distinction of being called Minutemen in the Revolutionary War because they had to be ready in a minute to defend their homeland.  Tazewell County had many Volunteer Minutemen then and can currently boast of 420 special Retired and Senior Volunteers serving in the same communities once guarded by Minutemen.   The volunteers of the Tazewell County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program have been serving their communities for 38 years as a program of Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc (CVCA).   In 2008, Tazewell County RSVP Volunteers in 72 Volunteer Stations served over 151,000 hours.  These volunteers served in food pantries, classrooms, hospitals, thrift stores, chambers of commerce, rescue squads and fire departments, fairs and festivals, and with many other civic and non-profit organizations and events.   Many of the volunteers provided direct services to area citizens in need of transportation, meals, clothing, and visitation, while others made reassurance calls to shut-ins and the disabled.

These valuable volunteers were honored at the RSVP Recognition on April 30 at Nuckolls Hall at the Tazewell County Fairgrounds.   Virginia State Senator Phillip Puckett was the keynote speaker and remarks were also heard from Virginia State Representative Dan Bowling and other area dignitaries.  The event theme honored America’s first volunteers of note, the Founding Volunteer Army of the American Revolutionary War.  Susan White, Director of Senior Volunteer Services at CVCA and Chris Thompson, Executive Director at CVCA provided additional comments and thanks to an estimated crowd of 350 volunteers and guests.  Chris Thompson said, “The 420 RSVP volunteers that served in 2008 provided volunteer service worth over one million dollars in value when calculated at minimum wage.  They let their life experience count every day they volunteered and made a difference in our communities.  We thank you for continuing the tradition of the Founding Volunteer Army.”

All those in attendance enjoyed a delicious meal and the musical talents of CC and the Creekboys.  Members of the band write and play “Appalachian American” style music and have recorded several CD’s.  All of the RSVP volunteers present received a Disaster Preparedness Kit and additional instructions and information about being Red Cross Ready for disasters.  RSVP volunteers also received service pins and other recognition items.  Many door prizes were given out through the generosity of area donors and businesses.

Anyone wanting information about becoming an RSVP volunteer can call CVCA at 276-988-5583 or email Susan White at swhite@clinchvalleycaa.org

Tazewell County Recognized As “Safe in Our Communities” Recipient

 The Office of the Virginia Attorney General recently conducted a statewide search for Virginia localities to demonstrate promising practices in domestic violence.  The Tazewell County Domestic Violence Task Force submitted an application in January 2009 and recently received notification that Tazewell County has been selected as one of four communities in Virginia to receive this designation.

Localities submitted applications that focused on the following areas: community coordination; local government involvement; accredited domestic violence service provision; local law enforcement response, policies and procedures; allied professional response, policies and procedures including prosecution, magistrates, intake officers, judges, community corrections, and court clerks; certified batterer intervention services; educational programs for the community; TRIAD (a crime prevention program that focuses on seniors and law enforcement); healthcare response; and services to children who have experienced or who have been exposed to domestic violence. Tazewell County’s application was commended for its’ monthly Task Force meetings, the “Men of Promise” program conducted by Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc., and the educational programs offered to students in grades K-12 on domestic and intimate partner violence issues.

Representatives from the Tazewell County Domestic Violence Task Force and Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. attended the Attorney General’s press conference on April 28, 2009 to receive the recognition.  As the local domestic violence program, Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. also received a check from Verizon Wireless during the presentation. 

For more information, please call Jennifer Bourne at (276) 988-5583.

CVCA Head Start
23 Years

Clinch Valley Community Action Head Start has been in operation for twenty-three years. During that time, the program has grown and changed to meet the changing needs of Tazewell County. The vision of Head Start is for every child to be ready for Kindergarten.  The primary goal of Head Start is to reach and serve low income children and their families so that they are prepared for school.  Head Start does this through an education program that relies on Creative Curriculum Framework and used Houghton Mifflin, the preschool curriculum used in the school system, to supplement the curriculum. Head Start works to develop the whole child, in addition to providing education.  

Click here for the 2007 - 2008 CVCA Head Start Annual Report 

Click here for the February - March, 2009  CVCA Head Start Newsletter - The Parent Connection

Click here for the Head Start Application Packet 2009 - 2010

Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. Receives Capacity Building Grant from National Fatherhood Initiative

 According to former Vice President Al Gore, the positive effects of a father’s presence are invaluable.  At his address of the National Fatherhood Initiative’s 3^rd Annual Summit in 2000, he stated, “Don’t ever doubt the impact that fathers have on children.  Children with strongly committed fathers learn about trust early on.  They learn about trust with their hearts.  They learn they’re wanted, that they have value, that they can afford to be secure and confident and set their sights high.  They get the encouragement they need to keep going through the rough spots in life.  Boys learn from their fathers how to be fathers.  I learned all those things from my father, and I count my blessings.” 

The National Fatherhood Initiative is pleased to award Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. with a capacity-building award, in the amount of $25,000 to work with local fathers in the upcoming months.  Twenty-five organizations were selected from a total of 306 applications submitted nationwide.   These funds will be used to build Clinch Valley Community Action’s Fatherhood Program. Possible activities for this program include a Daddy Boot Camp for new dads, working with fathers who are incarcerated, and parenting classes which specifically address fathers and their issues.

 
Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. Receives Accreditation

Each year, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance conducts an Accreditation Process for all domestic violence and sexual assault program providers in Virginia.  Local programs are asked to submit applications that address the following areas: agency governance, agency administration, staff training, volunteer management, record keeping and confidentiality, hotline services, information and referral, emergency companionship, emergency transportation, legal advocacy, individual counseling, children’s services, support group, shelter services, systems advocacy and working with underserved populations.  These applications are reviewed by program peers and are designated status as fully accredited, provisionally accredited or accreditation denied.

Domestic violence and sexual assault services are provided in Tazewell County through Family Crisis Services of Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc.  Family Crisis Services has received full accreditation status for 2009.  The Accreditation Process assures victims of domestic violence and sexual assault that they will receive comprehensive services at any accredited service provider in Virginia. 

For more information, please call Jennifer Bourne or Rande Hackler at (276) 988-5583.

Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. to Conduct Parenting Classes

Today’s parents face many challenges in raising happy and healthy children.  Parenting well is extremely important, but it also can be extremely difficult.  However, according to Active Parenting, a leading parent education provider, the purpose of parenting remains the same: “to protect and prepare our children to survive and thrive in the kind of society in which they live.”

In order to assist parents, Clinch Valley Community Action, Inc. is offering Parenting Classes. The classes will use the Active Parenting curriculum and are available at no charge.  For more information or to register, please call Jennifer Bourne or Alicia Kitts at (276) 988-5583.

Celebrating how Community Action Agencies help people and change lives.

New at CVCA

Clinch Valley Community Action now operates the Section 8 Housing Voucher Program.