Missouri Ozarks Community Action assistance programs.
Missouri Ozarks Community Action administers resources across several areas. The organization covers the counties of Crawford, Gasconade, Camden, Laclede, Maries, Phelps, Miller and Pulaski. Most of the programs run are federally funded, such as Head Start, LIHEAP, and food stamps. However many other resources may also be available.
Financial aid, benefits, and other resources from Ozark Community Action
Food stamps have a purpose of preventing hunger. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is used in Missouri to increase the purchasing power of low-income households in Laclede, Phelps, and other counties. It will in effect enable them to obtain more nutritious foods and have a healthier lifestyle.
Benefits are provided to Missouri Ozarks Community Action clients in the form of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) ACCESS Cards. These are accepted in exchange for food at most local grocery stores and supermarkets.
MOCA also acts as administrator for housing assistance programs in Laclede, Miller, Camden and Pulaski Counties. The biggest one they run is the federal government’s Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), or section 8. HCVP provides vouchers to be used by very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to purchase or pay the rent on housing in the private market. This tends to be something they otherwise would be unable to accomplish.
Section 8 participants are given the responsibility of locating housing owned by participating landlords that meets health and safety standards set by public housing agencies. MOCA as well will administer federal funds provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Eligible dwellings for a voucher include townhouses, single family homes and apartments.
The Housing Voucher from Missouri Ozarks Community Action represents a subsidy provided directly to the landlord by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The tenants then picks up the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the subsidized amount. The amount paid by HUD, through Missouri Ozarks, is determined according to household income level. Read more on Section 8 in Missouri.
The Missouri Ozarks Community Action Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance for working poor families with the high costs of heating a home. For those that are able to enroll, they will receive a grant. The money will be sent directly from the program to the utility companies on the clients’ behalf.
LIHEAP also provides crisis grants to assist eligible households in Laclede, Crawford, and Camden that are experiencing heating emergencies that can lead to having their service cut off. Examples of emergency situations are leaking lines and/or other equipment that is broken or otherwise not operational, lack of fuel or oil, or maybe their main source of heat was cut off.
LIHEAP will also give a grant to an income qualified household that has a less than 15-day supply of fuel or one that is in danger of having utility service terminated. This will be determined by the applicant having received a notice warning of shut-off within the next 60 days.
MOCA’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income families become more economically secure by offering them a hand-up, rather than a handout. The purpose of the service is to enhance the energy efficiency of dwellings owned and occupied by low-income households. A focus will be on low income elderly people with disabilities or families with children, through the provision of energy-efficient measures that ensure the health and safety of the home while reducing residential expenditures.
Depending on the results of an in-home energy audit done by staff from Missouri Ozarks Community Action, the measures provided include sealing air leaks with caulking and weather-stripping, installing insulation and even replacing primary windows and doors. Additionally, WAP funds are used to perform basic heating tune-ups and repairs. All of this is done for free. Then, once all work is completed, clients receive instructions on the proper use and maintenance of the various weatherization measures.
Education, employment, and resource centers
Throughout its history, Head Start has been a recognized leader in providing services that promote and support the development of three to five-year-old children. Assistance is for low income families as well as children with disabilities. The goal is to prepare the student for entering kindergarten by helping them to develop positive attitudes toward learning and toward themselves, in a nurturing environment that supports their health, growth, and development within family, culture, and community.
Special priority for Head Start is given to encouraging parents as partners in the programs' shared decision-making process and as active participants in policy groups. Programming also includes dental, psychological, medical and handicapped services; two free meals during each session; and transportation to and from the various MOCA Head Start locations in counties such as Maries or Pulaski. If government funding is available, then partial and full-day options are available at no cost to income-eligible families.
Located at the corner of McClurg and Walnut Street in Richland Missouri, the MOCA Economic Resource Center is an educational resource facility as well as employment centers. Staff will help clients with job-search assistance. They also coordinate GED tutoring, offer assistance such as senior employment programs SCEP, and classes that teach work readiness, job skills and life skills.
Applying to MOCA assistance programs
Many other referrals and services may be arranged too. This is the regional non-profit for multiple counties. The MOCA Central Office is at 306 S. Pine, Richland, MO 65556. Or dial 573-765-3263 or (417) 862-4314 for intake.
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