1 week Ago
CAP Tulsa is one of 17 community action agencies in Oklahoma. At the start of each board meeting, we recite the Promise of Community Action: “Community action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
“ Created during President Johnson‘s War on Poverty in the 1960s, CAAs are federally funded local organizations designed to help people become self-sufficient and address the needs of their communities. Underpinning this purpose is the conviction that we, as Americans, have an obligation to give each other a hand up. Consider the story of Laura, a hardworking single mother of three who was facing financial and health challenges.
Despite dealing with anemia, Laura continued to work as a certified nursing assistant at a clinic, doing her best to provide for her family. People are also reading..
. Bill addressing tribal toll collections falls in House committee; governor reacts State ends contracts for three large mental health services providers in Tulsa County Ex-police officer changes part of story about chase that killed motorcyclist in Tulsa Mason’s Monday Mailbag: What grade did I give OU football’s offseason so far? Berry Tramel: Why Jimmy Gasso is coaching softball at Mid-America Christian Update: Motorcyclist in critical condition after crash with school bus, Tulsa police say Cry Baby Hill roadside attraction on hold, along with hotel project, Route 66 experience Here's how the sold-out Red Dirt concert event The Boys From Oklahoma became a reality Berry Tramel: Mike Gundy predicts soon-coming super conference of 32 teams Nine measles cases now confirmed in Oklahoma Police probe alleged child sex abuse, coverup at ‘cult’ church following news investigation 5 reasons to believe OU football’s offensive line will be much improved in 2025 Bill Haisten: Remembering the immense talent and personality of Mike Bilbow Epic concert series in Stillwater launches with Cross Canadian Ragweed reunion Opponents of religious charter school: St. Isidore poses threat to all public charters When Laura enrolled her two younger children at CAP Tulsa, our team assisted her in applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provided $620 in monthly food benefits to help feed her family.
We also aided her to enroll her children in Medicaid (SoonerCare) so she could select a pediatrician and access routine medical care. In addition, CAP Tulsa staff coached Laura on how to write her resume and land a higher-paying job. Laura’s story exemplifies CAP Tulsa’s anti-poverty focus as a local CAA.
That is why it is especially painful to contemplate cuts in vital federal programs, such as SNAP and SoonerCare. Moreover, eliminating CAA funding through Community Service Block Grants (CSBG) is under discussion. Even if the funding disappears, the community need will remain.
Sixty-one percent of families served by CAP Tulsa qualify for services based on their enrollment in public benefits, such as SNAP. Even more striking is the high usage of SoonerCare, which stands at 91% of the young children served by our agency. Cutting these benefits for low-income folks means they won’t be able to afford routine medical care for their children.
It will also become even more difficult in today’s high-cost environment for families to put food on the table. Helping families reach self-sufficiency requires compassion, patience, determination — and resources. We are losing our way as a civil society by cutting programs that aid families like Laura’s to meet their basic needs while navigating their journey to a brighter future.
Join us in urging Congress to protect these vital programs. Contact your representatives today and let them know that cutting SNAP, SoonerCare and CSBG is unacceptable. Ginnie Graham Show: Making sense of Oklahoma’s mental health cuts.
