Blueprints Strengthens Communities by Empowering Families for 60 Years
“We all benefit when everyone reaches their potential and contributes to our communities,” says Trenna Passalacqua, Chief Executive Officer of Blueprints, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington County. Passalacqua’s work with Blueprints is deeply rooted in this philosophy.
Blueprints, previously known as Community Action Southwest, was established in 1965 as part of the Economic Opportunity Act. Blueprints empowers individuals and families with the tools and support needed to build financial independence. Through strong partnerships with public and private organizations, the organization expands access to resources that help families achieve lasting stability and create a secure, prosperous future for themselves and their communities.
If you live in the area that Blueprints serves, you have probably seen their work in action without even realizing it. Blueprints operates approximately 50 programs, employs over 300 people, and serves thousands of households annually across Washington and Greene counties, as well as parts of West Virginia.
Through its vital work, Blueprints empowers individuals and families with the tools they need to achieve lasting stability and success. By fostering growth and opportunity, their efforts create ripple effects that strengthen the entire community.
Blueprints’ programs serve people in all phases of life.
鈥� WIC serves pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children under the age of five; Nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, healthy food/formula, health screening and referrals for healthcare and social services in both Washington and Greene Counties.
鈥� Early Learning includes Head Start, Early Head Start, and Pre-K Counts. These high-quality programs are designed to support the growth & development of young children from prenatal to age five. Program services include early learning & child development, health & nutrition, and parent & family engagement. The Early Learning program options include center and home base settings for eligible families in both Washington and Greene Counties.
鈥� Connecting Children and Families is committed to providing safety, permanency, and well-being for all children, youth and families. Our services incorporate a wide continuum of trauma informed care including in- home and community-based services, truancy prevention, independent living for older youth, foster care, adoption, and behavioral health services. Through multiple evidence-based practices, CCF preserves and strengthens families to remain together, provides safe and supportive family care when children are unable to remain with their biological parents, and assists with permanency to ensure the best outcomes for all children, youth, and families in both Southwestern Pennsylvania and parts of West Virginia.
鈥� Building Futures empowers individuals and families to achieve stability and long-term success through goal-setting, financial literacy, career development services, housing and homeownership opportunities, and access to critical resources. In addition, we offer a variety of specialized services, including those for justice-involved individuals and residents of public housing communities. Our programs serve our communities in Washington and Greene Counties.
Through our collaborative partnership with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, Blueprints provides vital support services to the older adults of Greene County. The program provides an array of opportunities that enable older residents to extend their independence and health as they age.
Throughout its 60-year history, Blueprints has believed that the best way to strengthen the local economy is through community- driven decision making. To ensure its strategiest remain responsive, the agency conducts a comprehensive community needs assessment every three years. A board of dedicated community volunteers, including public and private sector leaders, helps guide these efforts, ensuring that programs evolve to meet changing needs.
With every new presidential administration comes changes to federal funding; and this is more apparent than perhaps ever before in these first months of 2025.
“Blueprints receives funding from a variety of sources,” says Passalacqua.
“Funding sources range from federal sources within Education, Energy, Housing, Justice, Labor, Transportation, FEMA, Health and Human Services, USDA and AmeriCorps.” She goes on to mention the myriad of state sources of funding as well. Passalacqua explains that just as community needs are continuously changing and evolving, so too are the sources of funding support for Blueprints’ programs and services that meet these needs.
“Federal funding changes of any kind will impact Blueprints,” she says. She notes that Blueprints has a proven track record of impact and fiscal responsibility and provides essential services that promote residents’ economic mobility and independence.
As for now, Passalacqua says that her organization is staying aware of the rapidly changing environment and will navigate any funding changes. A change in federal funding will mean strategizing at the local and state levels to determine future sources of support for Blueprints’ programs and services.
“For now and always, Blueprints will continue to focus on strengthening the lives of others.”
Sponsored content brought to you by
