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ARC State Program Manager Comments

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APPLICANT

CONTACT & LOCATION INFORMATION

Venango County Association for the Blind
Seneca, Venango County, Pennsylvania 16346
814-676-1876
Email
www

County (ARC Region) Venango
State (ARC Region) Pennsylvania

ORGANIZATIONAL & FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Q1. Mission:

To serve the blind and visually impaired and prevent unnecessary blindness.

Q2. How organization aligns with ARC’s Plan & Goals:

The Venango County Association for the Blind is focused on increasing the education, knowledge, skills, and health of blind and visually impaired consumers in the Pennsylvania counties of: Venango, Clarion and Forest. We provide assistance with vital skills which enables our clients to increase their ability to live independent lives outside of care homes and nursing homes.  We provide sighted guide and specialized transportation for our clients so that they have the necessary assistance to meet their medical and health needs and ensure their ability to procure and prepare healthy foods that supports their individual needs. We provide access to technology that increases independence, and we make appropriate referrals to other social service agencies that provide services needed that we cannot.  

Q3. IRS Filing Status: 501(c)(3)   

Q4. Unit or Chapter of Larger Organization: Yes

Q5. Employees:

Full-Time/Part-Time Employees: 3/1 (as of 9/1/2020)

Full-Time/Part-Time Employees: 3/2 (as of 12/31/2019)

Current Year Income/Expenses: $178,184/$181,072

Q6. Fiscal Year: Calendar

Q7. Budget Level

Last Fiscal Year Income/Expenses (Actual): $186,092 / $183,039

Current Year Income/Expenses (Projected): $178,184 / $181,072

Balance Sheet

Q8. Restricted Reserves (Amount): Yes ($1,473,501.81)

Q9. CARES Act Funding (Amount): Yes ($)
Received From:   Date Received:
For What Purpose(s): Operational assistance; however, we were just notified of our funding and do not know how much it is. The max available per agency was supposed to be $5,000.

Q10. Negative Impacts from COVID-19:

COVID-19 impacted our Agency first and foremost in the area of preventative services.  Our ability to provide vision screenings to preschools and schools in our three county service area was stopped.  We average over 800 screenings per year during this time of year and we only captured 150.  We also were unable to run our transportation services in the same manner; therefore, our service provision in this area declined as well.  We had to discontinue our support groups and education groups due to restrictions regarding congregating, which impacted our reach to our clients in this area.  Our computers had to be upgraded system wise and new software to allow remote work was necessary and resulted in unplanned expenses as well as the modifications to our vehicles to allow transport cost the agency unplanned expenses as well. 

Q11. Top Three Concerns:
Our state funding is in questionable status for this service year. We still do not know what funding we will receive after the elections in November.
How to continue providing needed services for our clients under the restrictions at whatever phase we are in, green, yellow or red.
How to fund raise in the current COVID climate.

How Participation in Program Will Address Concerns:

I believe so based on the description of the program.  Any and all resources available provides the opportunity to learn, and grow. 

COHORT INSTRUCTION

Q12. Applying as a Proposed Cohort? No

Q13. Executive Director or CEO Will Participate in the Program? Yes

Q14. Top Two Choices for Cohort Instruction:

Course #1 Choice: 1-Long-term Financial Management

Course #2 Choice: 2-Fundraising

Q15. Desired Course Schedule for Cohort Instruction:

#1 Desired Course Schedule: 1-Fall 2020: 11-Week Course (Nov. 9, 2020 -Jan. 24, 2021)

#2 Desired Course Schedule: 2-Winter 2021: 10-Week Course (Jan. 25. 2021 – Apr. 4, 2021)

APPLICATION SUBMITED BY:

Name: Krysta Carson, Executive Director

Application Approved by Organization Director or CEO? Yes, Approved by Executive Director/CEO