Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City and Canadian Counties programs.
The region is supported by the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma / Canadian Counties. Programs range from food to addressing housing needs. They work very closely with charities, churches, and other social service agencies in the area.
Most of the resources are offered from District Centers. The sites have staff on site who can provide referrals, intake, and help families apply for housing, rent, and other assistance. If the non-profit can’t meet your needs, then ask for referrals.
Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance may sometimes be offered by the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City. The centers provide shorter term loans or grants as a form of partial rent assistance to eligible families. Typical clients are families that have experienced a crisis (such as unemployment) and are unable pay their housing costs on their own, whether that is their rent or mortgage. Call District Center closest to you and apply for the assistance. if you are looking for a new, affordable apartment in the county, then help with move in costs or paying security deposits may be available.
The Weatherization program is designed to reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills across Oklahoma. Eligible working poor and very low income clients can have a more comfortable place to live after implementing certain services that include attic and wall insulation, minor attic, wall and floor repair, weather stripping, window caulking and replacing doors.
Crisis Intervention program provides utility bill and prescription assistance. Note that any type of electric assistance is available in Canadian County only and prescription assistance by referral.
Housing counselors from the agency provide assistance by coordinating funds for down payment and closing costs through the homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance (DPA) Program.
Using government and non-profit funds, two different DPA programs are available to eligible low-income future, homeowners of Canadian and nearby Oklahoma Counties. The components both will have different requirements and amounts of assistance provided. Aid is and is available depending on the availability of funds. Any loans or grants paid out are administered on a first come and first serve basis.
Nutrition is available each spring, including from food banks as well as pantries. At that time of the year, income eligible clients can apply for free garden seeds for food needs. Or they can apply for free groceries in Oklahoma City. The Community Action Agency can refer clients to local food banks for their needs.
Emergency Home Repair is a unique program that offers home improvement type services to eligible individuals and families that own a home. The CAAofOKC program also focuses on addressing health and safety matters, in particular for the elderly and each other household occupant. Serving over sixty (60) targeted areas today, the program provides following services:
- heat, furnace, and AC installation
- partial roof replacement or shingling
- sewer or water line replacement
- electrical system upgrades and repair
- deteriorated floor and porch replacement
- installation of senior or disabled wheelchair ramps
The intent of the program is to provide these repair services to clients who cannot afford the work on their own. The resource also helps clients avoid possible homelessness and illnesses by enabling them with these services.
A special Summer Cooling Program provides fans to the elderly, the ill, disabled and income qualified families during hot summer months. The number one objective of the program is to help clients live in a comfortable home and keep them cool and safe by providing these free box fans. There is also financial help to pay for air conditioning bills during the summer.
During Christmas holidays, the non-profit community action agency provides Christmas Assistance to low-income residents of Oklahoma County. Families in need can send their application through the District Center serving their area, noted below. Gifts, toys, and more is for children in the city. Meals may be served too. Eligible families will be referred to appropriate center according to their needs.
Help is for seniors in Oklahoma City. The programs and services for the elderly who need transport include
(Supplemental Transportation for the Elderly & Handicapped Persons, or STEP routes are for seniors to go shopping or run errands. Destinations and pick-up area are different each day so it is recommended to call at 297-2583 for the latest.
- Congregate Meal routes enable seniors and their spouses visit meal sites in the County. They can get a free meal and also participate in different activities.
- GED classes provide older adults education on general topics and themes. Two District Centers offer free classes. Eligible clients are those who are receiving DHS benefits.
Advice, Information Referral Service - In addition to other benefits, the District Centers in Canadian and/or Oklahoma County also provide clients with referrals to other government aid and social service agencies. Clients will be informed about how to access other resources they need during their challenging times.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides help to even more moderate income residents with free tax preparation and electronic filing. The program operates each year from January through April to May. Free electronic filing, guidance and assistance filing I-Tens and other forms are available to eligible clients. Assistance with filing back taxes is available at the CAAofOKC Central Office. Call for more information or visit the office near you.
Rides are available. This program offers free transportation to medical appointments, interviews, social service agencies and job search. Bus tokens, which are limited, can be found at the District Centers.
Rx for Oklahoma is free or low cost prescriptions. The aid is provided by pharmaceutical and drug manufacturing companies and can be easily accessed through the statewide program. Eligible clients need to provide basic information on their insurance as well as medical needs to the non-profit community action agency. It will be used to determine for which pharmaceutical companies they qualify for help from Rx staff provides assistance with that as well as with the completion of the applications.
Only long term medications will qualify. All services and guidance is completely free. For more information, please call (405) 232-0199.
The Head Start program serves children and their parents in Oklahoma City and nearby counties by providing various services. Children 3 to 5 years of age are eligible for the federal education program. In addition, families need to meet income requirements in order to qualify,. Some of the services of the resource include those noted below.
Child Development has a purpose of screening which is used is to determine each child’s strengths and weaknesses. These assessments need to be done, as well as ongoing observations from teachers. All the information gathered is crucial for Student Education Plans and activities performed in the classroom.
The program tends to meet healthcare and medical needs of each child enrolled, using community clinics as well. This means that free medical and dental examinations are available, even for those families without insurance. Speech, hearing, visual and other health screenings are also provided. If more urgent needs are required, find medical care from community clinics. In addition to health services, the Oklahoma City supported program provides free meals to enrolled children. They receive a hot breakfast, healthy lunch and a snack each day.
An individualized Mental Health observation is provided to each child enrolled in the Head Start program. In addition, improving the quality of life is one of the major goals of the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City and Canadian Counties Family Partnership Agreement. Families who want to achieve their goals are provided with necessary services, referrals, and applications for public aid.
Head Start collaborates with other community agencies across Oklahoma City and really the state in order to provide best services to clients in need. The purpose of the partnership with these other groups is emphasizing the importance of family centered services in the community. As in general, healthy families and parents, no matter where they live, means healthy community.
There are also many centers and schools located throughout Oklahoma City and Oklahoma County. The schools provide services to thousands of children from less fortunate households per year. Additionally, there are several regional centers that provide affordable daycare services to infants, newborns and toddlers.
Contact information
Locations are across both counties. Call the Community Action Agency. The main phone number is (405) 232-0199. However there are several centers in Oklahoma city and counted as noted below.
- N.W. District Center, Address: 1300 N. McKinley, OKC, OK 73108. Call (405) 525-2468
- S.W. District Center, 1621 S.W. 15th Street, OKC, OK 73108. Telephone number is (405) 634-1469
- N.E. District Center, location is 3401 N. E. 16th Street, OKC, OK 73117. Call (405) 424-0315
- S.E. District Center agency center is at 6315 S. Camille, OKC, OK 73149. Phone: (405) 672-7311
- City-County District Center - 12520 N.E. 36th St., Spencer, OK 73084. Dial (405) 769-3346
- Canadian County District Center, 203 N. Bickford, El Reno, OK 73036, (405) 262-7042
- MWC District Center, 1124 N. Douglas, Midwest City, OK 73130, (405) 869-9354
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