The Community Action Commission is a local non-profit organization that helps residents of Huron, Erie, and Richland counties in Ohio. There are several assistance programs available from the agency. These programs address a number of different needs that people may have. Case managers work with low income families to help them become more self-sufficient and to provide ongoing support.
Social services and financial assistance from CACEHR
Under the Summer Crisis Program, electric bills can be paid for by the federal government and the state of Ohio during the summer. It provides assistance for paying electric bills in emergency situations. The program provides air conditioners for those who qualify. This means that someone may receive up to two hundred dollars in a single year.
Free air conditioners are available for seniors who have not received one in the last three years. If you are under 60 and have a doctor’s note stating that you or someone in your home has an illness that would benefit from continued electric service and/or air conditioning, you may be eligible for the units.
The Social Services Program is available through four offices in Ohio: Norwalk, Sandusky, Willard and Mansfield. Participants may receive financial assistance for emergency needs such as food, rent, utilities, or security deposits.
The organization provides assistance directly or through another agency by referral. Staff work with participants to help them get a job or go to school.
These services are funded by various local organizations, including the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Ohio Housing Trust Fund, Emergency Shelter Grant Program, The Erie County Board of Commissioners, Area Agency on Aging District 5, the Norwalk Area United Fund, and the Erie and Huron Counties local Emergency Food and Shelter Grant (EFSG) boards. Other forms of aid come from donations from local churches, businesses, and other individuals.
The Winter Home Energy Assistance Program is available from the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties to help with utility assistance for electric and heating bills for very low income households. People who are not working may also benefit from this. The program can help with paying for gas, electricity, and propane.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a government assistance program in the United States that helps low-income households pay for their home energy bills. Grants are available for those who are threatened with a utility shut off, who have already been disconnected, or who have less than 10 days of heating oil or fuel left.
If you need help with anything related to your benefits, the Ohio Benefit Bank can provide you with referrals to resources that can help you. This service provides low and moderate income households with information and access to resources, including federal benefits.
This means that more families who have low incomes will be able to get the information they need from the OBB. The tax credit counseling services help people learn about and take advantage of certain tax credits that can help with things like Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC), education credits, low income housing, and government benefits. They also offer help with paying health insurance premiums. This means that families in Richland county can save a lot of money on their bills.
The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) helps low-income households save money on their utility bills. This is a government-funded service for residents with low incomes or who are working poor. This will help them lower their monthly payments for utilities such as gas and electricity. The Ohio Energy Efficiency Program was put in place to help lower electricity usage for qualifying homes across the state, including Erie, Richland, and Huron counties.
You may be eligible for the following services: wall and basement insulation, attic insulation, leakage reduction, heating system repairs or replacements, and more. After health and safety inspections and testing have been completed, staff will address any issues that were found.
The federal government has created a grant program to improve the energy efficiency of participants’ homes. This will make the homes weather tight and greatly reduce their utility expenses. The quality of life of the participants will be maintained or improved.
There are food pantries available in Erie and Huron counties from CACEHR. This means that if you make a certain amount of money or less, you are able to use the facilities. There is a shortage of non-food items such as diapers, baby formula, clothing and other items. For more information about the Erie County location, please call 419-626-6540. For more information about the Huron County location, please call 419-668-9823.
The Summer Food Service and Meal Program from CACEHR is for eligible children in Erie and Huron Counties. This program provides children with nutritious meals during the summer months. This program provides free groceries, meals or snacks to qualifying children who are 18 years of age or younger. The Cleveland Food Bank in Richland County Ohio operates the Summer Food Service Program in partnership with the Community Action Commission.
CACEHR is partnering with the City of Sandusky Transit Department to provide one-way trips for elderly residents to doctor/medical appointments, work, or shopping centers. The Senior Transportation Program provides transportation services for seniors. If you need it, we will provide transportation to banks, job training, medical offices, stores, or pantries and nutrition sites.
The Norwalk Center has two emergency shelters that are apartment style. The units are apartments with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and everyday living items.
The staff at the Norwalk Center are trained to help families or individuals who are going through difficult times. The resources are to help them with the issue that caused their eviction or homelessness.
There are things available at the shelter like clothes, food, help with security deposits, and homemaking skills. The staff from Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties will help the families living in the shelter to get a stable income from employment or from public assistance. Residents of the shelter are given referrals and appointments to the state of Ohio’s Health Department and Jobs and Family Services.
The shelter also provides budget counseling, crisis intervention, goal setting, referrals to supportive resources, and transportation assistance. The transitional housing is supported by various organizations, including the Norwalk Area United fund, local churches, Offices of Government Services, and other non-profits.
Grants and loans from CACEHR can be used to pay for emergency home repairs and modifications to make homes more accessible for people with disabilities. This aid is for households at or below median income levels that live within the counties of Huron, Erie and Richland.
The Ohio Office of Housing and Community Partnership is able to provide funding for CACEHR. They help families with home repairs in nearby counties. CACEHR helps residents of Sandusky to make emergency repairs to their homes.
Educational programs in the Sandusky, Erie and Richland region
Head Start is a free educational and preschool service designed to help very low income families with children between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age. The program provides access to early childhood education, health services, and family support to help prepare kids for success in school and in life. This program focuses on the overall development of the child. To qualify for assistance, a household’s income must fall within certain limits set by federal and state governments.
The Community Action Agency Head Start provides services to households and children in areas such as Child Mental Health, Education/Literacy, Health/Nutrition, Family Services, Disabilities/Suspected Disabilities, Transportation, and Family Engagement.
There are many ways that parents can help the Head Start Program, and they are always welcome and encouraged to do so. There are many places where people in need can go to for help. Community service referrals, job placement, and other support services are just a few examples.
The Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties has several locations. The following are included:
The number to dial for Richland County families is 419-589-2520.