OACAA Executive Director Earns Distinguished Alumni Award

OACAA Executive Director Philip E. Cole was one of six Kappa Sigma Fraternity alumni recently honored with what is deemed one of the highest alumni awards within the national fraternity, the Sen. John G. Tower Alumni Award. Mr. Cole, who has led the Ohio Community Action network in the fight against poverty since 1989, received the award last month. Current …

2018 Winter Legislative Conference Recap

Thank you to all who attended the 2018 Winter Legislative Conference, #OHWLC18! Over 200 Community Action professionals, partners, vendors, presenters, and elected officials joined us in Columbus last week. We hope you enjoyed the great lineup of featured speakers and workshops. Photos from the mobile app and others throughout the conference can be found in our Flickr album. If you …

Year-End Fundraising Ideas

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and nearly gone. As we look forward to the holidays and reflect on 2017, many of us are also planning year-end fundraising campaigns to kick-start our efforts to help low-income Ohioans in 2018 and beyond. If you haven’t already started, or are looking to add to your year-end planning options in …

Another successful event: Annual Summer Conference 2015

Cover image: Pictured (left to right) Larry Price, Representative Alicia Reece and Philip E. Cole Last week, the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) held the Annual Summer Conference, which was hosted by Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron, and Richland Counties. Together, we welcomed over 200 Community Action professionals from across the state to Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, …

What is on the table?

On occasion, I and other OACAA staff are asked why we place toys and candy on the tables at our conferences. With the Annual Summer Conference coming up next month, now is a great time to explain their purpose. These toys are actually called “fidgets” and are tools to help self-regulate, calm stress and anxiety and can help you focus …

State of Poverty in Ohio Report 2014

In cooperation with Community Research Partners (CRP), OACAA released the State of Poverty in Ohio Report on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. The report, which is now available online, aims to illustrate the effects of poverty in an effort to understand economic hardships today and over the last fifty years.   Throughout the report, you will learn about many of the …

2015 Winter Legislative Conference #WLC2015

Last week, the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) hosted the 2015 Winter Legislative Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Nearly 300 Community Action professionals, partners and legislators joined the OACAA board and staff to discuss, learn and inspire each other. New and innovative approaches were pursued as the Community Action Network continued to do what they do best—help people and …

Community Action Helps People and Changes Lives

Over the past 50 years, Community Action Agencies across the country have worked tirelessly to leverage resources, develop local programs, and administer grants to help low-income families and individuals achieve self-sufficiency to fight the war on poverty. Over the past year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Economic Opportunity Action of 1964, we have celebrated …

“UGG”! Are you ready?

Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG) or “Super Circular” will become effective for non-federal agencies beginning December 26, 2014. Is your organization ready? Fifty five staff members at 21 of Ohio’s Community Action agencies are more prepared now than they were. OACAA/OCATO (Ohio Community Action Training Organization) hosted two regional trainings on September 23rd and 24th in Jeffersonville and Huron. Mary Pockl …