United Way of Deschutes County recently announced a program investment package of $1,003,750 as it unveiled its funding plan for 2006-2007.

The bulk of the funds, approximately $800,000, will go to 24 partner agencies, including initial awards to new partner agencies -- Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers and El Programa de Ayuda. Another $200,000 in donor directed funds will go to a variety of other agencies specified by donors.

Community Impact Chair Terri Rahmsdorff said, "The 31 volunteers that make up the review committee focused on programs that demonstrated results and a strong alignment with United Way's key priority areas in making their recommendations. I think they did a great job of getting the most out of the funds available for our donors and the community."

The funds being disbursed come from the United Way of Deschutes County's most successful fund raising campaign, which raised $1,338,688 during 2005-2006.

Executive Director Ken Wilhelm observed, "There seems to have been a shift over the last couple of years. Review Committee volunteers have focused more on safety net types of services...emergency food, shelter, and crisis kinds of services. I think it reflects a sense of urgency to address people falling through the cracks of our rapidly expanding community" The greatest increase went to Cascade Youth & Family Center which provides services to homeless, runaway and throwaway youth.

The following funding plan breakdown, by agency and program, includes base allocations, one-time grants, and donor designations.

Getting Kids off to a GREAT START in life
Healthy Beginnings -- early childhood screening program $23,118
HealthyStart -- low income prenatal and perinatal services $17,075
Family Resource Center -- parent training and resources $18,977
Grandma's House -- pregnant, homeless teens $30,318

Keeping YOUTH ON TRACK for success
Boys & Girls Clubs -- Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Terrebonne $75,952
Boy Scouts -- youth development programs for boys $29,737
Camp Fire Boys & Girls -- youth development & SummerKids $39,976
Cascade Youth & Family Center -- LOFT homeless youth program $47,190
Girls Scouts -- youth development programs for girls $29,750
Red Cross -- youth training & leadership development $10,000

Helping meet BASIC NEEDS
COCAAN -- emergency services & food programs $82,098
El Programa de Ayuda -- support services for Latino families $ 5,000
FISH -- emergency food pantry $ 7,768
Habitat for Humanity-Bend -- affordable housing $12,147
Red Cross -- disaster services $46,924
Salvation Army -- food pantry & meals $ 6,496

Keeping People SAFE FROM VIOLENCE & ABUSE
CASA -- Court Appointed Special Advocates $34,974
COBRA -- domestic violence programs $77,239
COCOA -- Meals on Wheels & transportation $55,866
CORIL -- independent living services $44,313
Hospice of Bend & La Pine -- bereavement program $14,184
Hospice of Redmond & Sisters -- bereavement program $14,152
Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers -- independence support for elderly $ 6,250
KIDS Center -- child abuse treatment services $62,128
United Senior Citizens of Bend -- senior center programs $ 5,816

Other
Donor Designations to Non-Member agencies $206,302

Total Allocations, Grants, & Donor Designations to Agencies $1,003,750