Programs & Information

Resources

Utilize the following resources to find information about the Community Action Agency and its programs.

General Information

Through a wide array of programs and services, the Frederick Community Action Agency (FCAA) provides food, shelter, medical care, and other forms of assistance to families and individuals who are low-income or homeless. Started in 1968, the FCAA is sponsored by the City of Frederick and Friends for Neighborhood Progress, Inc. The major programs operated by the FCAA can be categorized into 6 broad program areas. Programs under each area are described. View the following documents for more information:

Health Care Programs

Community Action Health Center: In 2015, the FCAA was designated a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and expanded primary health care and dental services for lower-income adults and children. Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants provide health care services to adults and children who are uninsured, ineligible for other public health care programs like Medicaid, and have a total household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), as adjusted for the size of the family. In addition, the FCAA continues to serve adults and children who are experiencing homelessness or are recipients of Medical Assistance.

Health Care for the Homeless: The Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program, initiated in 1989 through a federal grant, provides primary health care, case management, and supportive services to people that are homeless – serving about 1,200 people annually. The FCAA operates a primary health care clinic that is staffed by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physicians, medical assistants, and case managers.

Medical Assistance Provider: Under the Maryland Medical Assistance (Medicaid) Program, the FCAA is a participating provider with the following Managed Care Organizations: Priority Partners MCO, Maryland Physicians Care MCO, University of Maryland Health Partners MCO, and Amerigroup MCO. The FCAA also serves patients that have Unrestricted Medical Assistance benefits.

School-Based Health Center: Through a partnership with Frederick County Public Schools and the Ausherman Family Foundation, the FCAA began operating a School-Based Health Center during the summer of 2011. The School-Based Health Center serves students from Lincoln, Hillcrest, Waverley, North Frederick, Butterfly Ridge, and Monocacy Elementary Schools as well as their younger siblings.

Documents

Outreach & Transportation Programs

Outreach Services: FCAA outreach workers perform outreach to local shelters, streets, woods, and other areas where people that are homeless can be found. Staff members strive to meet people who are homeless, familiarize them with available resources, and build trusting relationships.

Transportation Services: On weekdays, the FCAA operates a free van run that transports people to a variety of health and human service agencies located around Frederick City.

Homeless Assistance Programs

PATH Project: The federally funded PATH Project provides case management, outreach, and transportation services to people that are homeless and have a serious mental illness. Initiated in 1992, PATH Project staff work closely with therapists and psychiatrists from other agencies to ensure adequate access to mental health treatment services for people who are homeless.

SOAR Program: The SSI/SSDI Outreach, Assessment and Recovery or SOAR Program helps people who are homeless and disabled to apply for disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration. In addition, the SOAR case manager assists people with obtaining necessary documents, such as birth certificates and photo identification cards, needed to apply for benefits.

Transitional Shelter: The Frederick Transitional Shelter for Homeless Families is a 31-bed shelter that was built by the City of Frederick and is operated by the FCAA. The shelter provides transitional housing and a wide range of supportive services for homeless families and physically disabled adults. The Transitional Shelter serves approximately 60 households on annual basis.

Green Jobs Program: The Green Jobs Program is a supportive employment program that aims to help homeless and chronically homeless individuals return to the workforce by offering case management, shelter, job coaching, and supportive employment. 2 individuals are employed part-time to perform a variety of beautification projects in downtown Frederick.

Energy Assistance Programs

Office of Home Energy Programs: The FCAA Office of Home Energy Programs administers several different financial assistance programs aimed at helping income-eligible households to be able to pay utility and fuel bills; minimize energy-related crises; and to assist in making utility, heating, and cooling expenses more affordable. Specifically, the FCAA Office of Home Energy Programs administers the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), the Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP), and the Utility Service Protection Plan (USPP).

Document Resources