COVID-19 Vaccine: It’s our turn

Covid-19 has impacted our activities, our communities, and nearly every aspect of our lives for just over one year. But today, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel with a safe and effective tool now available: the vaccine. Because of the COVID-19 vaccines, I believe we will begin to gather together again very soon, …

Community Action partners with local healthcare providers to vaccinate against COVID-19

Featured Photo Caption: Susan Howland vaccinates Jeff Daughtery, 63, at the Corner Health Mart Pharmacy in Greenfield, Ohio. For over a year, the world has been working together to save lives from the COVID-19 virus by social distancing, wearing face coverings, and reducing in-person gatherings. Healthcare professionals have cared for sick patients, and Community Action Agencies have adapted operations to continue …

2020 Exemplary Program Awards ceremony held virtually

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies, in partnership with Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, awarded two Exemplary Program Awards during the 2021 Virtual Winter Legislative Conference. The award winners, Community Action Akron Summit and Miami Valley Community Action Partnership, demonstrated exemplary programs through nominations thoroughly review by Ohio University’s team of experts. Community Action Akron Summit’s Pathways HUB program works collaboratively …

Gerken retires after 45 years of service at NOCAC

Next month, Deb Gerken, Executive Director at Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, will retire after 45 years of dedicated service to her community in northwestern Ohio and the Community Action Network. Ms. Gerken started her career in 1975 as the senior programs director at NOCAC shortly after graduating from Adrian College. Over the following 13 years, she also served as child …

HCCAO assists local health department with COVID-19 testing

Local health departments across Ohio have been working hard to expand COVID-19 testing access as the pandemic continues throughout the state. When the Highland County Health Department needed help with their drive-through testing site earlier this month, the Highland County Community Action Organization was there to answer their call. “We were very fortunate to have support from six staff at HCCAO,” said …

Clinton County CAP holds Virtual 5k

Clinton County Community Action Program will be having a “Virtual “ 5K on September 12, 2020. Individuals who participate can post pictures of themselves completing the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clintoncountyseniorcenter. Funds from the event will be used to support the senior center, which due to COVID 19 has been closed.  The agency is working to prepare the center for re-opening and …

CAC of Portage County’s Summer Food Program for Children: A Community Partnership

The following article was originally written by Krista S. Kano and published in the Record Courier on June 8, 2020. Edits provided by David Shea to add clarity. Photo by: Lisa Scalfaro, Record Courier. When Gov. Mike DeWine closed K-12 schools in mid-March to slow the spread of the coronavirus, he also cut off many students from their only regular food source. …

Innovative solutions help students learn remotely during pandemic

When Ohio’s Stay At Home orders were put in place in March, schools were forced to adapt to online learning quickly. In Painesville, not only did teachers need to adjust their methods, but the district had to determine how to serve students without internet or computer access. Nearly 25% of students had no access to the internet or a computer, …

You Respond, We Respond

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies’ mission is to support our members and keep Community Action in Ohio strong. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have continued that mission and developed new ways to support our 47 Community Action members across the state. As a training and technical assistance provider to agencies delivering essential services in all of Ohio’s 88 …

Keeping the economy moving during the pandemic

Essential services are provided by Community Action Agencies every day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring those services have continued has been our network’s top priority. Food, housing, education, healthcare, and more keeps Ohioans safe and healthy, and Community Action remains at the helm. Operations have had to adjust, though the network has adapted quickly to continue progress and move forward. Human …