Another successful event: Annual Summer Conference 2015

David Bradley, Co-founder and Executive director of National Community
Action Foundation

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, Ohio.

Breakout sessions kicked off the conference Wednesday morning and included four tracks: Leadership, Head Start, Fiscal/Human Resources, and Family Development/Special Populations. Presenters from CAPLAW and Head Start Region V discussed national and regional Community Action topics while Family Development speakers presented tools and ideas for working with special population groups such as Reentry, Migrant Farmers, and Veterans populations

Pictured (left to right): Larry Price, Representative Alicia Reece and Philip E. Cole

We were honored to have Ohio House Representative Alicia Reece take the stage during Wednesday’s lunch where she spoke about her legislative priorities in House District 33 Representative. Representative Reece discussed an Ohio voter bill of rights and the priorities of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. She also discussed the recommendations from the Ohio Community-Police Task Force on which she was appointed by Governor John Kasich last year and served alongside Philip Cole, executive director of OACAA. Later that afternoon, the Office of Community Assistance (OCA) presented an update to the network which was followed by district meetings. During the district meetings, three board of trustee representatives from each district were elected to serve two-year terms. On Wednesday evening, guests were invited to attend a relaxing networking event on Lake Erie.

Thursday continued with breakout sessions followed by lunch with guest speaker, educator, and author, Harvey Alston. A plenary session wrapped up the day with speakers Bo Chilton of OURS, Ron Reese of COAD, and Hugh Cathey of HealthSpot, Inc. The conference wrapped up on Friday morning with a membership meeting and guest speaker David Bradley, co-founder and executive director of National Community Action Foundation (NCAF).

OACAA would like to thank our sponsors, advertisers, and exhibitors this year. With their support, we were able to provide great snacks and beverages throughout the conference to recharge all of our guests. A special thank you goes out to our meal sponsors Applied Energy Products and Sales, InHealth Mutual, Wichert Insurance, and Selective Insurance.

Activity from throughout the conference can be viewed on Facebook and Twitter using #OACAASummer15 and photos are now available on Flickr. We have already received outstanding feedback from the network and we are glad those who attended found it informative, relevant, and fun! We are proud of the work the Ohio network does to help people and change lives and are happy to have completed another successful conference in support of your efforts throughout the state.

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Community Action Helps Fathers

Joseph was faced with the prospect of never seeing his unborn son while incarcerated in the Community Alternative Center. But this father-to-be started taking the Fathers Matter (24:7 Dads) course through the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties Richland branch. Now he has a full-time job, his probation requirements have changed, and he has visitation rights with his son.

Community Action Helps Young Father in Time of Need

Brett, a young father of two who was unemployed was referred to the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties' Fathers Matter program which fosters increased involvement with children, provides parenting skills, and helps fathers to look within themselves to find ways of meeting their personal and financial goals. Brett was so pleased with the program, he sent a letter to Jessika Smith, his social service specialist, to thank her. Following is what Brett wrote:

Community Action: Helping Veterans

Luther, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, had a good job as a police officer in Florida, but he was forced to leave that position to return to Ohio to care for an ill parent and was unable to find another position.

Reuniting a Family and Much More

When Josh was referred to the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties’ Fathers Matter program by the child support offices, he was homeless and living in his van. The program not only helped him become a better father, but improved his life.

Community Action Helps a Struggling Veteran

A veteran from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan (Gulf War-era II) was sentenced to attend the Fathers Matter program at the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties as part of an alternative sentence after violating his probation for his charge of failing to pay child support. During the sessions that provide parenting skills and encourage increased involvement with the participants' children, the program facilitator thought he might be able to offer additional help to this struggling veteran.

Community Action Helps Richland County Man Become Better Father

Joseph was faced with the prospect of never seeing is unborn son while incarcerated in the Community Alternative Center. But this father-to-be started taking the Fathers Matter (24:7 Dads) course through the Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties Richland branch. Now he has a full-time job, his probation requirements have changed, and he has visitation rights with his son.