FAQs
General FAQs
- Community Action Partnership in San Diego is a Community Action Agency funded primarily by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).
- CAP San Diego is housed in the Health and Human Services’ Department of Strategy and Community Engagement.
- Community Action Agencies were established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as part of the federal War on Poverty.
- The role of a CAA is to provide programs and services to help low-income individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency and overcome poverty.
- CAP is responsible for assessing community needs, designing programs, and bringing solutions that help households and communities thrive.
- CAP San Diego’s mission is to “empower individuals and households toward socioeconomic advancement and increased access to resources through strategic partnerships.”
- The vision of CAP San Diego: “Community Action changes lives, fosters hope, and strengthens communities by helping people help themselves and each other.”
- Every two years, CAP San Diego develops a Community Action Plan to address poverty-related needs in San Diego.
- The Community Services Block Grant is a federal program that provides funding to states, territories, and tribes to support community-based services aimed at reducing poverty and promoting self-sufficiency.
- CAP San Diego receives CSBG funding through the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD).
- Community Action Partnership’s Community Action Plan (Plan) is a two-year service plan.
- The Plan ensures that:
- resources are directed where they are most needed;
- programs are evidence‑based and measurable;
- community voices shape solutions; and
- CAP maintains accountability to both the public and funders.
- “Strengths” refer to the available resources in the community, such as programs and services, and can also include history, values, and support networks.
- “Resource needs” refer to the services and programs required to meet the needs identified in the Community Needs Assessment Survey.
- For more information about CAP programs, please visit the CAP San Diego webpage at http://www.sdcountycap.com and click on the “PROGRAMS” section.
- For CAP San Diego’s current income eligibility guidelines, please visit the following webpage: https://www.csd.ca.gov/Pages/CSBG-Income-Eligibility.aspx
- To review previous Plans and Needs Assessment results, please visit the following webpage: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/sd/community_action_partnership/CommunityActionPlan.html
- The community input from the Assessment will inform the Community Action Plan for CAP San Diego and will address the priority needs of the most vulnerable populations in the county.
- The anonymous results will:
- help guide CAP programs and resources;
- help CAP identify what programs and services are successful and what areas need improvement;
- hep CAP identify barriers to services, gaps in services, and ideas for future programs and services;
- be made available to the public and other service providers, including, but not limited to, other County divisions and departments, community organizations, and groups such as resident leaders working in the community; and
- help identify opportunities for collaboration to meet community needs.
- Please contact CAP by email at HHSA.Communities@sdcounty.ca.gov or by phone at (619) 338-2799.
- The Community Needs Assessment Survey aims to identify the strengths and resource needs of the community.
- Through the anonymous responses, CAP will understand the causes and conditions of poverty in the community and identify resources to address the unmet needs of the most vulnerable residents.
What is Community Action Partnership (CAP)?
What is a Community Action Agency (CAA)?
What is CAP San Diego’s purpose?
What is the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)?
What is the Community Action Plan?
What does the County mean by “strengths” and “resource needs”?
Where can I learn more about CAP programs?
Who is eligible for CAP programs?
Where can I learn about previous Plans and Needs Assessment results?
What does the County do with the results from the Assessment?
Have additional questions? We’re happy to help!
What is the purpose of the Community Needs Assessment Survey?