Tri-County Community Action Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO REDUCE POVERTY AND REMOVE BARRIERS FOR THE DISADVANTAGED THROUGHOUT THE DEEP EAST TEXAS REGION BY PROVIDING IMPACTFUL INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER MISSION-MINDED IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $10.1 million
- Spending
- $10.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 99%
- Employees
- 197
- Volunteers
- 625
- Highest pay
- $77,309, cfo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $5.2 million spent. TRI COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION, INC. (TCCA) HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START SERVES ANGELINA, JASPER, NEWTON, SABINE, SHELBY, SAN AUGUSTINE, AND TYLER COUNTIES. THE VISION STATEMENT IS TO SERVE AS A MODEL COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, EMPOWERING FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES TO ACHIEVE SELF-RELIANCE THROUGH HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, STRATEGIC COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS, STRONG STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT, AND EFFECTIVE AGENCY LEADERSHIP. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (ACF).TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY SERVICES TO OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. INTEGRITY, PROFESSIONALISM, TEAMWORK, AND COMPASSION ARE IMPORTANT TO EACH EMPLOYEE, AND WE WORK DAILY TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS A COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO MEET AGE AND INCOME CRITERIA. THE PROGRAM IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL, DENTAL, MENTAL WELLNESS, NUTRITIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS FUNDED TO SERVE A TOTAL OF 414 CHILDREN AGED 0-5. THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM HAS 136 SLOTS FOR CHILDREN IN A CENTER-BASED SETTING. THE HEAD START PROGRAM HAS 278 SLOTS FOR CHILDREN IN CENTER-BASED SETTINGS. THE HEAD START PROGRAM CUMULATIVELY SERVED A TOTAL OF 334 CHILDREN IN THE HEAD START PROGRAM AND 168 IN THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM.TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START TAKES PRIDE IN PROVIDING PARENTS WITH AN ONGOING SOURCE OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START HAS A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WEST SABINE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE WE SERVE A TOTAL OF 37 HEAD START CHILDREN WITHIN TWO CLASSROOMS.TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PARTNERS WITH THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM. TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START ALSO PARTNERS WITH LOCAL COLLEGES, SUCH AS ANGELINA COLLEGE, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN, AND PANOLA COLLEGE. THESE PARTNERSHIPS HELP PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP ACCOMPLISH GOALS FOR STAFF AND PARENTS. PANOLA COLLEGE STUDENTS EVEN PROVIDED ONSITE TRAINING TO OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HANDWASHING AND TOOTH BRUSHING.TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN THROUGH WORKING TO MEET THE SCHOOL READINESS GOALS. CHILDREN ARE ASSESSED 3 TIMES A YEAR AND OUTCOMES ARE MONITORED, ANALYZED, AND AGGREGATED BY THE EDUCATION TEAM. FAMILIES ARE KEPT INFORMED OF THEIR CHILD'S INDIVIDUAL GOALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM YEAR THROUGH 2 HOME VISITS AND PARENT CONFERENCES. THE TEACHING STAFF ALSO PROVIDE OUTCOME REPORTS TO OUR PARENTS ALONG WITH ACTIVITIES THAT THEY CAN DO IN THE HOME SETTING TO WORK WITH THEIR CHILD. THIS IS IN HOPES OF CLOSING THE HOME SCHOOL CONNECTION. SCHOOL READINESS AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT MUST WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE FAMILY ARE MET. THIS PROGRAM SETS GOALS FOR FAMILIES IN SEVEN OUTCOME AREAS; FAMILY WELL-BEING, POSITIVE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILIES AS LIFELONG EDUCATORS, FAMILIES AS LEARNERS, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN TRANSACTION, FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO PEERS AND COMMUNITY, AND FAMILIES AS ADVOCATES AND LEARNERS. FAMILY OUTCOMES PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN THE SUCCESS OF THE CHILD AND THE ABILITY OF THE FAMILY TO MOVE FORWARD OUT OF POVERTY.TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PARTNERS WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND AREA RESOURCES TO ENSURE PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS KNOW WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE. THE PROGRAM DOES THIS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND JOINT COMMUNITY EVENTS SUCH AS RESOURCE FAIRS, FAMILY SERVICE ADVISORY MEETINGS, COMMUNITY RESOURCE COORDINATION GROUPS (CRCG) MEETINGS, POLICY COUNCIL MEETINGS.WE HAD 574 VOLUNTEERS FOR LAST PROGRAM YEAR.THE PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THROUGH OUR SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM.FAMILY SERVICE WORKER/ADVOCATES HAVE MONTHLY STAFF MEETINGS TO ENSURE THEY RECEIVE ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES TO INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE IN ASSISTING FAMILIES MEET THEIR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.TCCA HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IMPLEMENTS COACHING WITH FIDELITY USING THE CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM (CLASS) AS AN OBSERVATION TOOL THAT ALIGNS WITH HEAD STARTPERFORMANCE STANDARDS. THE MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLASS TOOL IS A KEY ELEMENT THAT CONTRIBUTES SUSTAINED QUALITY SUPPORT AND TRAINING FOR EDUCATION STAFF. MONITORING, MENTORING, AND COACHING WILL ENSURE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES FOR ALL CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE SCHOOL READINESS GOALS. TEACHING STAFF SET GOALS TOWARDS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS UTILIZE TRAINING THAT HAS RESEARCH-BASED RESOURCES. HEADSTART.GOV, MYTEACHSTONE, AND HEAD START EARLY LEARNING OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK (ELOF) ARE USED TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH BEST PRACTICES FOR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. PRACTICE-BASED COACHING PRACTICE BASEPD COACHING IS BEING USED TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD ACHIEVES THE DESIRED OUTCOMES AND TEACHERS HAVE CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. TEACHERS WORK WITH THE EDUCATION/DISABILITIES COORDINATOR, HEAD START MENTOR, EARLY HEAD START MENTOR, AND CENTER MANAGER TO COMPLETE ASSIGNED TASKS THROUGH MYTEACHSTONE TO ENSURE ALL TEACHING STAFF ARE SUCCESSFUL IN PREPARING THEIR STUDENTS TO BECOME LIFELONG LEARNERS.
- $3.3 million spent. COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CEAP REGULAR PROGRAM GRANT): DURING PROGRAM YEAR 2025, TRI-COUNTY ASSISTED: APPROXIMATELY 1,841 HOUSEHOLDS WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE (ELECTRIC, GAS, AND/PROPANE). THIS INCLUDED ELDERLY, DISABLED, AND CHILDREN 5 AND UNDER. THESE 1,841 HOUSEHOLDS WERE MADE UP OF 3,607 INDIVIDUALS. APPROXIMATELY $1,935,596 DOLLARS WERE SPENT TO ASSIST THESE HOUSEHOLDS/INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE 2025 PROGRAM. ALL HOUSEHOLDS MUST QUALIFY AND MEET THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL OF 150% OR LESS TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE THROUGH LIHEAP CEAP GRANT.
- $1.3 million spent. COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE: PROGRAM YEAR 2025, TRI-COUNTY PROVIDED: 1 INDIVIDUAL WITH OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT UP TO A LIVING WAGE, 1 INDIVIDUAL WITH OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT WITH A LIVING WAGE OR HIGHER, DISTRIBUTION OF 1,407 FOOD BAGS TO INDIVIDUALS TO HELP ERADICATE HUNGER WITH OUR SHELBY COUNTY SERVICE AREA, 2 HOUSEHOLDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS, 2 INDIVIDUALS WITH TEMPORARY HOUSING PLACEMENTS, 45 INDIVIDUALS WITH PERSONAL HYGIENE KITS, 23 INDIVIDUALS WITH HYGIENE FACILITATION UTILIZATIONS (E.G. SHOWERS, SINKS, ETC.), 1 STUDENT WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES, 1,387 REFERRALS WERE MADE ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS, 8 INDIVIDUALS WORKING TOWARD TRANSITIONING OUT OF POVERTY (TOP), 2 INDIVIDUALS WHO OBTAINED A RECOGNIZED CREDENTIAL, CERTIFICATE, OR DEGREE RELATING TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OR VOCATIONAL SKILLS, AND 136 CLIENTS WERE PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (GAS CARDS).
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending April 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1965.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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