Community Programs

Community Programs

The Community Services Division is responsible for service projects and programs which help to build the assets of individuals and organizations, maintain and increase community's assets, and establish household or individual self-sufficiency.

Community Services works to build the assets of our community's citizens by identifying needs or problems and working toward resolving issues effectively.

TOOTH Program

To assure, promote, and protect the oral health of Humboldt County’s children by increasing their oral health awareness, knowledge, and self-responsibility by developing positive, life-long oral health behaviors.

TOOTH originated from RCAA's Cesar Chavez Healthy Communities Project in 2001. Since 2002, TOOTH has served the preschool and K-6th grade population of Humboldt County children with the support of First 5 Humboldt and Circle of Smiles. After hosting the program for seven years, the California Conservation Corps transitioned the program to RCAA in 2009. 

Teaching Oral Optimism throughout Humboldt County, (TOOTH) is an oral health program of the Redwood Community Action Agency, originally directed at providing education and preventive services in daycare and preschool settings, kindergarten, first, third and fifth grades students and their families throughout the community. We currently only teach elementary grade youth and the TOOTH lessons are now taught on ZOOM due to the Pandemic.

Currently, the TOOTH Program is funded by Department of Health and Human Services’ CalFRESH Program, First 5 Humboldt, Humboldt County Office of Education, Northcoast Grantmaking Partnership, Union Labor Health Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Health Resources and Services Administration. 

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

1. Oral Health Education and Prevention
Oral Health lessons will be provided via ZOOM to kindergarten, 1st, 3rd and 5th grade students in all elementary schools throughout Humboldt County. The lessons will focus on the following topics:

  • Proper tooth brushing & flossing techniques
  • Brushing two times a day, for two minutes
  • Visiting the dentists and losing teeth
  • Germ prevention (hand washing, covering your couth & sharing toothbrushes)
  • Nutrition/exercise (importance to teeth, food pyramid, need for exercise/water)
  • Tobacco/drug use: gum disease, bone loss & oral cancer (5th grade only)

2. Community Education
TOOTH will provide oral health education, dental disease prevention workshops, and dental supplies to caregivers and parents in Humboldt County. This goal will  be accomplished by providing workshops at playgroups, school parent night and community health fairs.

Adult and Family Services

The Adult and Family Services programs within the Community Services Division of Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) provide diverse and comprehensive services to clients who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, disabled, and are of low to moderate income.

If you are interested in making a monetary donation to PACT, or any of our programs, you can click on our website donate button and follow the instructions. 

PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN TRANSITION (PACT)

The PACT program serves homeless families with children (single moms, single dads or two parent families), pregnant women and families who are in reunification with their children.

This is a confidential, 3 month program with intense focus on finding permanent housing in Humboldt County. Staff provide case management, rehabilitative and support services for the entire family and community integration activities. Aftercare can also be provided for 3-6 months after permanent housing has been established.

Referrals for this program can be obtained through the Healthy Moms Program, Healthy Dads Program, Humboldt County Alcohol and Other Drugs Program and Child Welfare Services.  

 


FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM

Money, Search and Rescue! Is ready to help get your finances to fall into place!
The program offers FINANCIAL SKILL BUILDING and Self-Empowerment sessions are available.
Would you or someone you know benefit from Financial Literacy coaching in any of these areas?

•           BANKING BASICS
•           DEALING WITH CREDIT CARD DEBT
•           SAVING FOR EMERGENCIES
•           HOW TO OBTAIN YOUR CREDIT REPORT
•           MANAGING INCOME
•           SETTING FINANCIAL GOALS
•           STUDENT DEBT
 

Contact the Financial Literacy Program representative at (707) 269-2052 today!
 

How do RCAA's programs affect you?

  • Natural Resources Services (NRS) works directly with Humboldt County community leaders, schools and parents to improve safety and encourage more children to safely walk and bicycle to school. NRS helps coordinate both the Greater Eureka and Humboldt County Safe Routes to School Task Forces.
  • Teaching preschoolers oral health care is a result of the TOOTH program.
  • The Natural Resources Services works with community members, civic groups, and local jurisdictions to enhance neighborhood street tree planting and support the development of community forests for public access and watershed protection.