Federal budget reductions, especially in human services, have been well
publicized. Maui Economic Opportunity, Maui County’s Community Action
Agency fighting poverty in our communities, has not been spared.
Recently, we announced the suspension of our long-running Senior Community
Service Employment Program (SCSEP) due to uncertainty over federal funding.
While our Head Start preschool program received notification of funding for
the upcoming school year, we are awaiting word from federal agencies about
funding for other programs for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
Threatened cuts to Head Start and other programs that directly support
residents in need have drawn the headlines but a critical funding source
for MEO, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), is in jeopardy. Loss
of these funds will mean severe reductions to MEO’s ability to support our
residents.
CSBG can be traced back to MEO’s beginnings 60 years ago. Historically,
these federal funds have been used as seed money to start a program, which
later is sustained by other funding sources, and supports the agency’s
infrastructure that keeps us operating efficiently.
In addition, CSBG fills the gaps between grants, which often lack allocated
funding for the administrative expenses or adequate funding to run the
program.
CSBG funding is about $847,000, part of MEO’s $42 million annual budget for
fiscal year 2024-25. Those critical funds help MEO and its dedicated staff
of more than 270 perform its work in the community, assisting 30,500
individuals and families and touching the lives of 55,000 Maui County
residents.
The more than 30 programs include transportation for persons with
disabilities, kupuna, youth and rural and low-income residents; preschool
without direct cost to eligible families; rent, utility and employment
assistance; support for recently released inmates and Spanish-speaking
individuals; drug/smoking/alcohol prevention among middle and high
schoolers; and business planning, credit counseling, financial literacy
classes and microloan opportunities.
And MEO has been there for those impacted by the wildfires, including those
who lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods. We are equipped to start
programs quickly to get that needed support out to those in need as we have
done for the wildfires, COVID-19 pandemic, 9-11 and other calamities.
We already are taking steps to tighten our belts as we await word from the
federal government. The loss of CSBG funds will be devastating to MEO’s
ability to reach those in need and the community.
If you have received help from MEO programs, please support us. If you have
not had to tap MEO’s help, please consider MEO as insurance should life
take a turn for the worse and you lose your job or income, as occurred
during the pandemic, or your health.
While the Hawai`i’s Congressional delegation is supportive, your voice will
assist them with advocating for continued funding.
– Sen. Brian Schatz. (808) 523-2061.
*https://www.schatz.senate.gov/contact/share-your-thoughts
*.
– Sen. Mazie Hirono. (808) 522-8970.
https://www.hirono.senate.gov/contact/email-me-about-an-issue
– Rep. Jill Tokuda. (808) 746-6220.
*https://tokuda.house.gov/contact/email-me
*.
– Rep. Ed Case. (808) 650-6688. https://case.house.gov/contact/
MEO wants to continue to support those in need. Helping People. Changing
Lives.
In keeping with tradition at MEO events, everyone holds hands and sings “Hawai`i Aloha” at the 39th Volunteer Luncheon.