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 …

Why do employees need training?

People are a driving force in every organization. In order to perform at their best, staff need development opportunities to not only teach them to perform their assigned duties, but also to educate them on new and changing techniques, programs, and services. Sending new and current team members to skill-specific seminars and enrolling them in appropriate online courses, ensures the teaching …

Building a strong bridge out of poverty

Earlier this week I joined one of OCATO’s Internal Consultants (ICs) at a Bridges Out of Poverty training hosted by Ross County Community Action Commission for District Four. Jeffrey Diver, IC and executive director of Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families (SELF), delivered the training and challenged perceptions of poverty to break down stereotypes. By the end of the day, participants had …

Family Development Certification Training

Family Development is an intense case-management program that establishes a framework to work holistically with those seeking comprehensive services at Community Action agencies. The program encourages work with the entire family with the result leading them to self-sufficiency. The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) provides certification to Community Action Professionals across the state to become Family Development Specialists …

What is the OACAA Poverty Simulation?

Lorie McClain, Program Specialist The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies’ (OACAA) Poverty Simulation is a walk in another person’s shoes. It’s about sharing experiences and making a connection to the conditions of those in poverty. Give yourself one time in this experience of poverty and it can lead you to a new understanding and renewed dedication to fighting against …