Child Goes from Unable to Communicate to Top of Kindergarten Class

When Tristan's parents brought him to Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission for Head Start pre-school classes he was three years old and the staff was unable to understand one word that he tried to speak. He was administered the National Reporting System (NRS) Assessment Test, which is a standardized assessment for Head Start students instituted by the federal government to demonstrate a child's understanding of certain words, to identify letters, recognize geometric shapes and solve simple addition and subtraction problems. Tristan failed the picture naming test because the staff could not understand him. Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland had him tested and he qualified for speech therapy. Together, the speech therapist and Head Start staff would prepare Tristan for kindergarten.

Community Action Helps Dislocated Worker Upgrade Skills and Succeed

Uriah worked as an installation supervisor making $15 an hour when the company he worked for shut down and he lost his job. After almost a year of trying to find another job, he turned to Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action (HAPCAP) to upgrade his skills.

Community Action Helps Diabetic Continue to Get Medication in Time of Need

Kathy is a diabetic who takes two types of insulin to manage her condition and tests her blood sugar three times a day, but after being injured in 2010 she had to switch from full-time to part-time work and was struggling to pay for her expensive medications after the decrease in income. At 60 years old, Kathy doesn't qualify for Medicare yet and was unable to successfully manage her diabetes.

Giving an Ex-Offender a Fresh Start

Brett had spent 18 of the past 35 years behind bars. Released for what he expects will be the last time, Brett began trying to get his life together. Although Brett wanted to turn over a new leaf and contribute to society, finding a steady job with five felonies on his record proved extremely difficult.

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.