Northern Arizona Community Action Council of Government programs.
The regional community action agency is Northern Arizona Council of Government. The organization serves as a source of referrals, support and guidance. They are involved in offering the less fortunate access to several assistance programs, including home repairs, Head Start, Workforce Investment act, and help for seniors. Resources are offered across the counties of Apache, Navajo, Yavapai, and Coconino in Arizona
The agency is a key member of a national network of organizations known as Agency on Aging. They provide assistance to senior residents of Apache, Yavapai, Navajo and Coconino County, among other towns. It was formed as part of the nationwide Older Americans Act initiative. This is just one out of over 600 Area Agencies on Aging (that wcreated in the 1960s) that serves eligible older adults all over the United States and the state.
Eligible clients for this program need to be seniors 60 years and older, the elderly and/or family caregivers. The disabled may also benefit from their referrals too. The goal of the Area Agency on Aging network is to provide services to elderly and help keep them in their homes as long as possible. This objective is achievable only with the help of dozens of local charities, social service providers, health departments and nutrition sites.
Each year, thousands of seniors and homebound individuals receive hot nutritious meals and other in-home care is provided too. Additionally, Area Agency staff provide the following services, including free legal advocacy, government benefits counseling, details on financial assistance, including rent and utility bill help, and also information and referral to programs such as Medicaid.
One-on-one counseling is also available as staff and volunteers regularly visit homes of eligible clients in Northern Arizona and counties such as Yavapai. The Arizona Department of Economic Security, Aging and Adult Services, or DAAS, also helps fund these programs.
Homeownership, tenant counseling, and education services are administered by NACOG. They deal with various aspects of housing, renting an apartment and homeownership. Services are offered to eligible clients through the Northern Arizona Council of Government. The assistance include:
-mortgage and foreclosure counseling in cases of delinquency.
-financial help, which may include loans.
-budgeting classes.
-eviction prevention assistance.
-referrals to security deposit payment programs for the homeless.
-home purchase.
-details on government fair housing laws.
NACOG staff provides referral information and linkage to applicable services as available. This can include loan programs for paying for needs such as rent or other housing costs.
The Workforce Investment Act services are operated through the Northern Arizona Council of Government in Yavapai and other Counties. The program offers almost 20 different employment/training services and job training tools. They operate at the Yavapai Workforce Connection One-Stop Centers. The locations provide guidance to eligible clients in both Prescott and Cottonwood.
Individualized case management as well as free career planning advice is provided by specialists to enrolled clients. The goal of this service is to provide job development, full employment and job placement.
Clients can use the NACOG resource room that can help them with job search activities. The center is equipped with several telephones, free internet access, computers and more which can be helpful for completing resumes and employment applications. They also have access to job banks.
Additionally, residents of the community can attend local job search workshops, fairs and other classes to help them develop skills related to finding and keeping the job. The goal of the workshops is to help clients increase their income which will lead to self-sufficiency. Apart from the workshops, Job Readiness training is also available to help clients with creating applications, cover letters and resumes, referrals/follow up.
The program offers other support services that include free work clothing, child care vouchers, gasoline, transportation, medical and dental needs, Head Start applications, Weatherization, Housing assistance, and Economic Development Programs. Clients who own home-based or small businesses can be provided with free assistance or low interest loans through the Business Assistance Center (BAC). Income qualified residents of Prescott can apply for transportation from the regional Taxi Voucher Program. Call (928) 778-1422 in Prescott area or dial (928) 649-6867 in Cottonwood.
Head Start classes are offered. The Northern Arizona Council of Government community action agency has been providing the Head Start services to eligible clients for many years. The program provides assistance to eligible low-income children zero to five years residing in Navajo, Apache, Coconino, and Yavapai. In addition to Head Start, NACOG also offers more, such as Preschool and Early Head Start services.
The program will meet the needs of enrolled children and their parents. This is a comprehensive resource that provides children the opportunity to begin their school experience on equal footing with their more income as well as socially advantaged peers. The overall goal of Head Start from NACOG is to prepare them for school by addressing the differences in access to tools for development.
Home repairs and Housing Rehabilitation provides technical assistance for this activity. The goal of the NACOG program is maintain the affordable housing stock and stabilize the local community. The address of this office is 119 East Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, phone: (928) 774-1895.
The main objective of the Weatherization program is to reduce the utility and cooling bills of struggling homeowners. It also addresses the regional carbon footprint through cost effective, energy saving weatherization services. For thse that qualify based on their income, the services are available at no cost to eligible clients that meet income guidelines and are residing in the territory.
The contractors that are part of the weatherization staff will conduct an energy audit on each household or condo to determine the measures that need to be performed. The assessment includes a complete health and safety diagnostics of combustion appliances and a pressure balance test. The Department of Energy will pay for Repair or replacement of gas range, insulation of attic and/or floor, Air sealing including weather-stripping the windows and caulking, Minor roof repairs, HVAC, water heater AC unit, and refrigerator repair or replacement, and other updates.
To get more information on services from the Northern Arizona Council of Government, call (928) 774-1895. The main office is at 119 E. Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 and staff will try to help clients meet their needs.
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