COMMUNITY RESOURCE PROGRAMS COULD BE AXED - OEO Officials In Charleston Reallocating Funds

(11/07/2003)

Community Resources Inc., which has an office in Calhoun, could be one of several agency offices that could be closed. Teresa Ward, Director of the 11-county CRI agency, says three or four county programs will likely end up on the chopping block, if the cuts go through. Federal poverty funds which are distributed to 16 state agencies are being shifted around the state, with some community action agencies being winners, while others are losers. The Office of Economic Opportunity in Charleston has not given any explanation for the shifting of funds. Essa Howard, Director of OEO, was out of the office this week, and the Hur Herald could reach only recording devices belonging to other staffers. Ward said a decision will be made soon. CRI serves the counties of Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wetzel, Wirt and Wood. CRI's 11-county region has operated with an annual budget of about $877,000. The reallocation would cut $238,000 from their budget. In addition to losing community-based services with the closing of offices, Ward said the agency would have to lay off an estimated 13 employees. Ward said only four of the 16 agencies were asked to participate in OEO discussions about the new funding proposal. She said CRI took the biggest cut.

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