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."
The Community Action Partnership service area includes the following counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Divide, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, McKenzie, Slope, Stark and Williams.
The Community Action Partnership was organized as a nonprofit agency as a result of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The Economic Office of Opportunity was created to formally conduct the "War on Poverty." Community Action and Development Program was incorporated in 1976 along with five other Community Action Agencies (CAA) in the State of North Dakota.
In 1974 Congress passed the Community Services Act which created the Community Services Administration (CSA), an independent federal agency that was responsible for providing funding grants and overseeing the activities of CAA's. For all intent and purposes, CSA replaced the Office of Economic Opportunity created in 1964.
Needs Assessment
Every two to three years, Community Action Partnership requests clients and members of the community to fill out a Needs Assessment Survey to help determine the basic household information of the clients Community Action serves. The Needs Asessment Survey also helps to determine the greatest needs of the clients served. Below is a link to access the final needs assessment results from Region 8 (Dickinson) and Region I (Williston) for 2006.
NEW Match Your Savings!
Receive $2 for every $1 you save! |
Would you like help saving up money for tuition, a home, or a business?
Call today for more information: Dickinson (701) 227-01031 / Williston (701) 572-8191
Individual Development Accounts (IDA)
Individual Development Accounts are special savings accounts designed to help families and individuals of modest means to establish a pattern of regular savings, and ultimately, purchase a lasting asset of value that is likely to return substantial long-term benefits to its owner. Such benefits include security, stability, and opportunities for increased income.
The three eligible assets that can be purchased with an IDA are college tuition, a first home, or small business capitalization.
How Does an IDA Work?
Participants are required to save for at least six months, although most save money over the course of two years. At the end of the program every dollar deposited into the IDA by the participant is matched by a combination of federal and nonfederal funds at a rate of 2:1. In North Dakota participants are able to save up to $2,000 for a match of $4,000. This means if the maximum amount is saved, the participant earns $6,000 to use for purchase of an eligible asset.
Throughout the savings period participants are required to make a monthly deposit into their IDA and the contribution must come from earned income. Participants are also required to complete financial literacy training, which is a critical component as it teaches skills such as: creating and following a budget, owning and managing a bank account or credit card, credit counseling and credit repair, and guidance on refundable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. Additionally, participants are required to attend asset-specific training. This training is focused on the participant’s asset that they intend to purchase upon the completion of their IDA savings.
Who is Eligible for an IDA?
Individuals and households who have earned income and are 200% of the federal poverty level:
The 2009 income guidelines are based on your annual gross income and how many people are in the home. These are effective April 1, 2009.
Household Size |
200% |
1 |
21,660 |
2 |
29,140 |
3 |
36,620 |
4 |
44,100 |
5 |
51,580 |
6 |
59,060 |
7 |
66,540 |
8 |
74,020 |
For each person add: |
7,480 |
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