OACAA Summer Conference Early Bird Rate Ends May 14
April 21, 2010
OACAA's 2010 Annual Summer Conference is scheduled for June 16 to 18 at the Kalahari in Sandusky. This year's conference includes updates on several critical programs as well as information from new presenters on this year's most talked about topics. Register now and get the Early Bird Rate!

OCATO Looking for EITC Partners
April 21, 2010
If you're looking for an opportunity to expand your volunteer tax preparation program or your asset building programs, don't miss this grant! Due May 17.
Request for Proposals (RFP)

SELF Program Brings Out Powerful Words
March 30, 2010
SELF, the Community Action Agency for Butler County, recently completed a course for 12 clients titled 'Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World.' Candace Roseman, a graduate of the class, offered a powerful description of poverty based on her personal experience. See the March issue of the OACAA briefing for details and click here to hear Candace's speech.

Northwestern Ohio CAC Offering Child Care Conference
March 30, 2010
Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission will host its 21st annual "Hand in Hand" Child Care Conference on April 24 at Northwest State College. Details are in the March issue of the OACAA briefing.

OACAA now seeking Presentation Proposals for Summer Conference
March 26, 2010
Share your knowledge by presenting a workshop at the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies 2010 Annual Summer Conference. Conference is set for June 16, 17 and 18 at the Kalahari in Sandusky. Presentation proposals must be sent in by April 21. Registration is now open also. Register by May 14 for the early bird rate.

Family Development Specialist Training offered
March 11, 2010
Learn how to better serve your clients with this comprehensive training and certification as a Family Development Specialist. This is a rapidly growing field and slots are filling quickly for the session set for April 6 through 9 at the Holiday Inn Express OSU on Olentangy River Road in Columbus.

Ohio Healthy Relationships Conference Set for April
March 10, 2010 (Updated)
OACAA is a proud partner in the Ohio Healthy Marriage Coalition, a key sponsor of a unique conference focusing on all aspects of relationships. The conference is scheduled for April 22 and 23 in Columbus.Keynote speakers include David Mahan from Frontline Youth Communications in Columbus, State Rep. Marian Harris of Columbus, Nisa Islam Muhammad of the Wedded Bliss Foundation and former OSU MVP and NFL player Calvin Murray, now working in Columbus as a youth advocate.

Sen. Sherrod Brown Calls on President to Expand Foreclosure Assistance Program to Include Ohio
February 25, 2010
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has called on President Obama to expand his recently announced foreclosure assistance program to Ohio. Read more.

OACAA, Sierra Club join Transit Coalition
February 18, 2010
The largest poverty fighting and grassroots environmental organizations in Ohio are the two newest members of Save Transit Now, Move Ohio Forward!, a coalition to improve public transportation in the state. Read more.

Ohio Healthy Relationships Conference Set for April
February 9, 2010
OACAA is a proud partner in the Ohio Healthy Marriage Coalition, a key sponsor of a unique conference focusing on all aspects of relationships. The conference is scheduled for April 22 and 23 in Columbus.

OACAA Board President Honored with Profile in Courage
February 9, 2010
OACAA Board President Gwen L. Robinson, CEO of the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency has been recognized as a Profile in Courage by WCPO television and Fifth Third Bank. Click here for more.

Columbiana County Weatherization featured on CNN
January 29, 2010
Columbiana County Community Action Agency Executive Director Carol Bretz and new, stimulus-funded weatherization employee Aaron Ogden were featured in a CNN story this morning. Click here to watch.

OACAA, Glenn School award Best Practices
January 27, 2010
During its Winter Legislative Conference last week, OACAA presented seven Best Practice awards to member Community Action Agencies. The program, conducted in cooperation with the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Deparment of Development, presented awards to the following: Cincinnati-Hamilton County CAA for its redevelopment of Jordan's Crossing; GMN Tri-County CAA for its LIFE Program; Lima Allen Council on Community Affairs for its Kindergarten Kamp partnership with the city school district; Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission for its United Community Rx Program; SELF of Butler County for both its EITC Super Site and its Individual Development Account programs; and WSOS Community Action Commission for its New Freedom TRIPS Passenger Care Attendant Program. Click here for details and photos.

OACAA releases State of Poverty in Ohio
January 22, 2010
The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies released the State of Poverty in Ohio report today. The report contains the latest statistics on people living in poverty in the state as well as insights into the ongoing recession. Successful Community Action programs fighting poverty are highlighted.
State of Poverty in Ohio
Press Release on State of Poverty in Ohio

Brokaw's USA network special airs Monday, features CAA
January 15, 2010
Former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw has traveled extensively along U.S. 50 interviewing people impacted by the economic downturn. One of his stops was in Hillsboro, Ohio and one of his subjects was Highland County Community Action Agency Executive Director Julia Wise. The special airs Monday, January 18 at 8 p.m. eastern. Learn more.

Governor Strickland to speak at Winter Legislative Conference
January 13, 2010
The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies has confirmed that Gov. Ted Strickland will speak at its Winter Legislative Conference. The Governor will open the second day of the conference with a keynote speech during breakfast, Thursday, January 21. Other speakers and presenters include Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and David Bradley, Executive Director of the National Community Action Foundation. Workshops will focus on communications, legal issues, human resource issues, finances, and more.

ConAgra Foods Foundation Grants Available
January 13, 2010
ConAgra Foods is accepting letters of interest through Jan. 29 for Community Impact Grants. The CIG program will award grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 each to impactful, grassroots organizations that leverage innovation and creativity to address childhood hunger and nutrition needs in communities where ConAgra foods employees live and work or in states where 20 percent or more of the children are food insecure. Visit the ConAgra Foods Foundation Website for complete details.

Warren County Agency Breaking Ground for New Early Learning Center
December 15, 2009
A groundbreaking celebration for the new South Lebanon Early Learning Center will take place on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. at 10 N. High St., South Lebanon, Ohio. Read more.

OACAA Opposes Telecom Deregulation Bills
December 9, 2009
The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies has joined with the Ohio Consumers Counsel and other advocacy groups in a coalition opposing Senate Bill 162 and House Bill 276. Executive Director Phil Cole testified against the House Bill during hearings yesterday. OACAA and its members have asked the legislature to protect low income consumers as they consider these bills. Mr. Cole's Testimony

Network mourns Jack Hagerty
November 24, 2009
Jack Hagerty, 93, died Nov. 2, 2009. Mr. Hagerty was the first and only Executive Director of the Community Action Commission of Fayette County. He led the CAC for 45 years since its inception in 1964. Click here for his story. To share memories of Mr. Hagerty, email sharon@oacaa.org.

New Department of Energy website features Ohio Community Action employees
October 28, 2009
The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a new website, "Energy Empowers," which features stories of success in weatherization and alternative energy programs, including those funded by ARRA. Two employees of the Kno-Ho-Co Ashland Community Action weatherization program are featured. View the site and the video from Ohio here.

OACAA joins coalition to fight telecom bills
October 28, 2009
OACAA has joined the Office of the Consumers Counsel and other advocacy groups in a coalition to fight Senate Bill 162 and House Bill 276. These bills weaken consumer protections and shrink the Lifeline program. Learn how you can help fight this legislation by clicking here.

Prevailing Wage Training Held
October 5, 2009
Hundreds of weatherization professionals attended training on the Davis Bacon Act and its reporting requirements. Prevailing wage determinations for all 88 Ohio counties are now available. Department of Labor representatives Verne Waldow and Guillermo Sapia conducted the training. Resources used in the presentation, blank forms and instructions are available at: www.dol.gov/esa/whd/recovery.
Prevailing Wage Rates for Weatherization Workers in Ohio as of Oct. 2

October is Weatherization Month in Ohio
October 2, 2009
Gov. Ted Strickland has declared October Weatherization Month in Ohio coinciding with National Energy Awareness Month. As winter approaches, a variety of events will raise awareness of energy conservation and new technology in the industry. Please share your celebration plans with OACAA by emailing sharon@oacaa.org.
Governor Strickland's Proclamation

OACAA Supports Governor's Tax Freezing Proposal
September 30, 2009
Click here for Executive Director Philip Cole's statement in response to Governor Strickland's proposal to freeze state income tax rates.

Cincinnati-Hamilton County CAA Starts Youth Build Program Creating 120 Jobs
September 17, 2009
Click here to see WCPO television coverage of this story.

Lisa Patt-McDaniel Appointed Director of the Ohio Department of Development
September 16, 2009
Governor Ted Strickland announced today the appointment of Lisa Patt-McDaniel to lead the Ohio Department of Development. Read the press release from the Governor's office here.

Risk Assessment Required for CSBG ARRA Programs
September 11, 2009
The Federal Department of Health and Human Services is requiring a basic risk assessment be completed on all CSBG ARRA Programs. Click here for details.
Click here for HHS IM 112 which outlines requirements.
Click here for a presentation from the Sept. 9 conference call.

Community Action announces green jobs partnership with Exxon Mobile
August 14, 2009
The National Community Action Foundation announced a partnership with Exxon Mobile to create 'green jobs'. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and OACAA Executive Director Philip Cole attended the announcement.
Sen. Brown's Press Release
NCAF's Website

Warren County Meals on Wheels receives large donation
August 10, 2009
Warren County Community Services, Inc., is the designated Community Action Agency for Warren County. They received a $7,000 donation from a local business for their Meals on Wheels Program. View the check presentation here.

Tri-County CAC opens new Weatherization facility in Bellefontaine
July 31, 2009
Congratulations to Tri-County Community Action Commission on the grand opening of its new Home Maintenance and Weatherization facility. Click here to see video of the event.

Clinton CAP Launches Website
July 31, 2009
Clinton County Community Action Program has launched its new website. Take a look by clicking here.

Highland County Executive Director Interviewed by Tom Brokaw
July 23, 2009
Julia Wise, Executive Director of Highland County Community Action, was interviewed as part of a story NBC News' Tom Brokaw broadcast about Hillsboro, Ohio. Watch the entire piece by clicking here.

Cincinnati Community Action Employee Introduces Vice President
July 10, 2009
A employee of Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action, hired with stimulus funds, introduced Vice President Joe Biden when he appeared in the community Thursday. Click here for the story and photos.

Community Action Urges 'Healthy Tax Policy'
July 2, 2009
Advocates for the poor called upon state legislators to shift their focus from cutting essential programs to revising tax policies that have not benefited Ohio. Click here for more.

NCAF Executive Director Interviewed regarding 'stalled stimulus'
June 8, 2009
National Community Action Foundation Executive Director David Bradley was interviewed as part of a CBS News story regarding the stimulus package. Click here to view the story.

Labor Department Rules on Prevailing Wage Issue
June 5, 2009
The U.S. Department of Labor issued a ruling on how the Davis-Bacon Act applies to stimulus-funded Home Weatherization work. Click here to view the ruling.

OACAA Executive Director supports HWAP ARRA application
May 19, 2009
Executive Director Philip Cole testified in support of Ohio's Home Weatherization Assistance Program American Reinvestment and Recovery Act application. Community Action Agencies administer 43 of the 57 HWAP programs in the state. For Mr. Cole's complete testimony click here.

Governor Strickland accepts Anti-Poverty Task Force recommendations
April 29, 2009
In accepting the recommendations of his Anti-Poverty Task Force, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland ended the work of the group and moved its task to the larger community statewide. Community Action Agencies played a large role in the Task Force. For the full story, click here. For the full report as submitted to the Governor, click here.

Community Action Agencies look forward to being accountable
April 14, 2009
The State of Ohio will receive approximately $8.2 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. On April 7, the Columbus Dispatch editorial focused on the $267 million the act is bringing to Home Weatherization Assistance Programs (HWAP). Of the 56 HWAP programs in Ohio, 43 are administered by Community Action Agencies. The members of the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies welcome this scrutiny and look forward to being held accountable as the stimulus funding is disbursed. For the rest of the story click here.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
March 24, 2009
Congress has awarded Community Action Agencies the privilege of helping to bolster our economy by rebuilding communities with stimulus supplement funding in the Community Services Block Grant Program, Home Weatherization Assistance Program, and the Head Start Program among others. These are all services that Ohio’s CAAs have been operating successfully for many, many years. We now have the opportunity to expand these services to more low-income Ohioans in this time of economic hardship for Ohio and the country. For rest of story click here.

OACAA Executive Director Phil Cole meets the press
February 17, 2009
OACAA Executive Director Phil Cole was invited by Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy to attend and speak at a press conference today.  Director Cole was asked to speak about the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the funding included for Federally Qualified Health Centers.  For his remarks click here.