Maryland's REACH Program Evaluation Summary
Abstract
Southern Maryland Tri-County
Community Action Committee, Inc. (SMTCCAC) a private, non-profit
service provider with experience in administering the LIHEAP and
DOE Weatherization Programs, operated the REACH program. The partnership
formed for this effort includes Southern Maryland Energy Coop (SMECO),
a local utility provider, other community service providers and
existing resources of the SMTCCAC.
The program offered a comprehensive
approach to irregular energy payments and energy use reduction to
enable participants to attain energy self-sufficiency.
Grant
Amount
$169,178 - FY 1996 funding
Duration
Two years
Goals
The REACH program goals attempted to help clients:
- Reduce their electric bill
- Improve their budgeting skills
- Improve their educational and/or
occupational opportunities
Client Eligibility Criteria
The participants in the program represent the most vulnerable in
the area and are LIHEAP recipients with high-energy use.
Client Services
Services and benefits included the following: home walkthroughs,
household action plan workshops, follow-up contacts with the REACH
caseworkers, financial assistance, low-cost weatherization measures,
referrals to other services, money management and budget counseling,
and a monthly newsletter.
Outcomes
According to the evaluation completed by the Loyola College
Center for Social and Community Research evaluation team, the REACH
program achieved several of its goals. Clients received nearly $60,000
of financial assistance to help with the costs of living relating
to energy use and rent or mortgage expenses. Three hundred sixty
three referrals were made to agencies that provide assistance in
weatherization, educational training, and job placement. Results
further indicate that program participants were able to reduce or
stabilize their energy usage and they received fewer termination
notices than members of a control group did. According to the evaluation,
"Seven clients achieved self sufficiency while enrolled in
the program."
The program goals not met include the
following: 1) because of the difficulty in recruiting and contacting
clients, over half of those recruited were dropped. This contact
problem also interfered with caseworkers' ability to meet regularly
with clients and to obtain proper information for the program's
evaluation. 2) The newsletter and workshops were discontinued due
to lack of interest by clients. 3) Significant increases in electric
bill payments were not evidenced as had been expected.
Since its implementation, the REACH
program has recruited 148 clients. For the reasons mentioned above,
92 clients have been eliminated from the program over its two-year
operation. As a result, the current REACH caseload includes 56 clients.
In the exit surveys, 97 percent responded positively that the REACH
program as a whole was worthwhile.
Contact: Ralph Markus
Maryland Community Services Administration
Energy Assistance Program
(410) 767-7415
rmarkus@dhr.state.md.us
Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005
