SouthEastern North Dakota Community Action Agency

SENDCAA Self Sufficiency Programs

HIV Prevention and Care Program: SENDCAA provides a number of both financial and supportive services through our HIV Prevention Program. The financial services include Tri-State Help, in which eligible clients are assisted with obtaining affordable housing. Also, we have ND Cares/Ryan White, that involves helping HIV+ individuals access healthcare and other services. Supportive services include HIV counseling and testing (including free, non-invasive testing and safer sex supplies and information). We also provide Prevention Case Management services that involve risk reduction counseling and assisting with establishing connections with other resources in their community. Please view SENDCAA's HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care website.

Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA): February 1 to April 15, free income tax preparation is offered to low-income households. There is no cost for this service and taxes are filed electronically.

Indvidual Development Accounts (IDA) : Individual Development Accounts (IDA) allow participants an opportunity to acquire a lasting asset after saving for an extended period of time. The three eligible assets are college tuition, a first home, or small business capitalization.

These special matched savings accounts are designed to help families and individuals of modest means 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.

Participants are required to save for at least six months, although most save money over the course of a few 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. At SENDCAA 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 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.

For more information and to inquire about availability please contact SENDCAA.

Classes: The Self-Sufficiency staff are also available to provide classes on topics such as Budgeting, Parenting Skills, Employment Development, Job Retention for CNAs, Rental Issues, and more.

Learn about more Self Sufficiency Programs offered by SENDCAA.

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