(ACHR) is a statewide private, non-profit organization committed to equality and opportunity for the citizens of Alabama. ACHR is both an advocate and a service delivery program. Current programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, the Community Services Block Grant programs, and Housing Counseling provide direct services to participants in Lee County. Head Start and Early Head Start are also provided in Russell County. ACHR's Head Start program, started in 1965, now is housed in three centers in Lee and rural Russell counties. In 1998, ACHR began an Early Head Start program. These two programs serve over 575 children and their families at any given time. Other ACHR programs in Lee County include the Emergency Services Program that offers designed community programs from the Community Services Block Grant, distributes the LIHEAP, ABC Trust, EFSP and SPIRE programs, the Child & Adult Care Food Program (serving day care homes in a four-county area), after school and summer child care, low income housing complexes and HUD and NeighborWorks Certified housing counseling services. Most ACHR programs have eligibility criteria, including an income guideline which varies by program. ACHR has had a longstanding policy that participants in all programs are served, staff are hired, and volunteers accepted without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability.
