Head Start Classes Resume Today

Head Start Students enjoyed Winterfest activities before their break at the end of December.

Classes at all LCCAA Head Start centers resume Monday, Jan. 9.

LCCAA operates three Head Start Centers throughout Lorain County. Several are operated in partnership with local school districts. 

Head Start serves ages three and up in preparation for Kindergarten. Early Head Start serves infants, toddlers and pregnant women. 

Mid-year enrollments are accepted. Click here to start the process for your child. 
Car Purchases Lead to Self-Sufficiency

Jessica Anderson-Garner can help more people and become self-sufficient now that she owns her own car.  

One of three LCCAA clients to use the By Car program to make a purchase in December, Jessica works for Res Care Inc. Her need to find rides to work limited her hours but now she will be able to work more.  

By Car allows participants to save earned income and provides a matching grant so they can purchase a used car. Financial literacy courses are required.

" Jessica is an excellent example of a participant who will use the assistance to advance herself from poverty to self-sufficiency," said Bob McDonald, Client Services Advocate, adding that Jessica used what she learned in classes to shop around for a good deal before purchasing her car at Spitzer Autoworld in Sheffield with a 90-day vehicle warranty.

Participants must meet 80% of the area median income. Savings are matched 2 to 1, up to $3,999 with funding from LCCAA's Community Services Block Grant and the WE3 Collaborative led by Lorain County Community College.
Energy Efficient Refrigerators Available

LCCAA has helped 85 people gain more efficient homes thanks to funding from the Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy. 

Since the program started in June 2016, 79 refrigerators have been replaced with energy efficent models. The program has also installed 15 freezers and 843 light bulbs. 

In all, $102,240 worth of benefits have been distributed, according to Bob McDonald, client services coordinator.  

To find out if you qualify for an energy audit, call McDonald at 440-204-3151.
Winter Utility Help Continues Through March 31

Winter heating assistance for residents who need help paying for heat or who have had their heat turned off is now available. 

Residents are urged to call the HEAP hotline at 1-855-806-9620 to make an appointment. The automated line is available 24 hours a days, 7 days a week. To be eligible for help, residents must live at or below 175% of the federal poverty line. 

Since Nov. 1, approximately 1,468 people have been helped with benefits totaling nearly $150,000.

On January 3,  limited funding for Columbia Gas customers became available for individuals or families living at 200% of the federal poverty line. (For a family of four a household income of up to $48,600 annually.) 

Columbia Gas customers may be eligible for a payment on their current bill up to $250 with  no termination notice required . However, if you have a termination notice, Winter Crisis funds will be applied first. Walk-in customers are preferred for these extremely limited funds. 

Appointments and walk-in hours are available at both the Lorain office at 401 Broadway and the Wellington office at 115 Willard Memorial Square. 

For walk-in hours and more information on the program, click here. 
Lorain County Community Action Agency      440-245-2009