David Morey was inspired when he heard the story of an elderly woman whose home had no heating or air conditioning.

Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. just regained control of its weatherization program to help low-income families make their homes more energy efficient, and hired Morey as the director.

The agency in Moncks Corner is making strides to overcome concerns about the management and accountability of its low-income programs, including a contract to operate Head Start preschool programs in Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the federal Head Start Bureau, has made accusations of mismanagement and deficiencies that threatened to strip the agency of its funding for the preschools.

"We've done a lot of positive things," said Willie Davis, chairman of the agency's board. "I don't care what you do, there is always room for improvement."

The agency vehemently denied the accusations and is appealing the actions by the Head Start Bureau. The Health and Human Services Department declined to comment on the litigation.

The agency is also involved in ongoing investigations by the FBI and a federal grand jury, although no more information is available.

The majority of the agency's roughly $16 million in funding goes to operate 32 Head Start centers for 1,658 children. It receives an estimated $4 million for programs administered by the South Carolina Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity, including weatherization.

Joel Sawyer, spokesman for the governor, said the programs were reinstated to the agency on a risk basis. The office will monitor the agency for the next year.

"They seem to be moving in the right direction," he said.

Patsy Gardner, the agency's executive director since June 2005, said despite probation, the programs were delivered without interruption. She is credited by board members with turning the agency around.

Morey said so far he's sent out 50 applications for weatherization. He requested more money from the governor's office to install heating and cooling units after hearing the elderly women's story.

Programs that can help

The Berkeley-Dorchester Counties Economic Development Corp. offers about 10 programs, including a food pantry, to low-income residents through state and federal grants and private donations.

--The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services contracts the agency to operate Head Start preschool programs for more than 1,600 children ages birth to 5 in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.

--The Community Services Block Grant funds programs for residents in Berkeley and Dorchester counties. Those programs include money in emergency situations for medical, food and utility costs and rent and mortgage payments. Residents can also get deposits for rent or utilities.

New Career Employment and Youth Leadership programs are available to help residents gain marketable job skills and tools to help in post-secondary education.

--Weatherization program is open to residents in Berkeley, Colleton and Dorchester counties. It helps residents make household improvements to save money on energy costs.

--Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is open to residents in Berkeley and Dorchester counties. It helps pay heating and cooling costs. Also, the program assists residents with heating and cooling needs in emergency situations, such as weather disasters and fuel supply shortages.

--Project Share is available to SCE&G customers who need energy assistance.

For more information, call 719-3200 or 800-582-4968.

Reach Yvonne M. Wenger at ywenger@postandcourier.com or 745-5891.