Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Trisha Wilkins

To the Editor:

Poverty doesn’t care about political parties, but how we fight it must be smart, effective, and fiscally responsible. That’s why it’s so concerning that Congress is considering cuts endorsed by the current administration that would gut programs proven to help families help themselves.

Programs like the Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and Weatherization - administered by local Community Action Agencies - don’t create dependency; they provide critical stability and support for low-income Iowans who are working hard to achieve self-sufficiency.

More than 248,000 Iowans rely on these services every year, whether it’s energy assistance in the winter, food access, disaster relief, affordable housing, public transportation, strength-based family home visits, or early childhood education through Head Start. These aren’t bloated bureaucracies in Washington - they’re community-based programs that align with Iowa values: local control, efficiency, and empowering families to thrive.

Iowa’s Congressional delegation has always stood for families and personal responsibility. We urge them to remember that cutting smart investments in our communities will only cost more in the long run. Let’s make sure this bill reflects real Iowa principles - not just in theory, but in practice. Supporting Community Action Agencies is an Iowan value - because strong families make a strong Iowa.

Trisha Wilkins, CCAP, NCRI, PHR
Chief Executive Officer
Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC)