Oregon Coast Community Action Agency assistance programs.
A wide range of programs are available from the Oregon Coast Community Action. The non-profit provides assistance to the less fortunate and at risk families in Coos, Curry, Coquille Tribes, and Douglas County. They also partner with many other agencies, such as South Coast Food Share, the housing department on Rental Assistance Program, and the federal government, among others.
Food and financial aid
Food and grocery assistance is from the regional South Coast Food Share. This is a network of partners, charities, programs and agencies fighting against the poverty in the area. The Oregon Coast Community Action has been providing this form of hunger relief to the residents of Coos and Curry counties since the mid-1960s.
South Coast Food Share serves as the regional pantry for the statewide Oregon Food Bank. Items included in the services offered are canned protein (chicken, tuna, fish, chili, stew, peanut butter, and beans), canned vegetables and fruits, and boxed goods (macaroni and cheese, pasta, ramen and cereal). The location of the center is: 225 LaClair Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420.
Meeting the needs of hungry children is the main goal of the Share Bear Snack Pack Program. The resource provides free food to low-income children when other food resources are not available. This operates on weekends, summer breaks and school vacations.
The Snack Pack Program is the first of its kind in Oregon. The procedure is the following: students take home their backpacks filled with child-friendly and nonperishable food on weekends. The assistance program ensures confidential distribution of groceries to the children on the last day before weekends or school vacations.
Housing assistance include counseling, short term emergency rental assistance, funds for paying security deposits, and other housing programs are available to eligible residents of Coos, Coquille Tribes, Curry and Western Douglas Counties. The Department of Oregon Housing & Community Services is a partner that funds many of these housing activities. The primary resources offered are listed below:
- RAP, or Rental Assistance Program, offers qualified families with one-time rental or mortgage payment assistance. Eligible clients need to demonstrate ability to afford rent in the future before receiving one month’s payment.
- HTBA (Home Tenant Based Assistance) - This program offers case managed rental support to very low-income clients from the community. The goal of the program is achieving self-sufficiency. Eligibility is based on the preference points and fund availability.
- Transitional Housing HSP – This provides assistance for qualified families with children. Eligible for the services of this program are homeless people, very-low income families and those who are at risk of becoming homeless.
- Family Transitions Program - Homeless people with children are entitled to use services of this Oregon Coast Community Action service. Case managed rental subsidy assistance helps applicants achieve mid to long term economic independence and self-sufficiency.
- COOLS, also known as Coos Oregon Leasing and Services, provides permanent housing for homeless mentally ill individuals. This is one-time deposit assistance to clients who are referred from CCMH (Coos County Mental Health). The security deposit paid can be no more than two times the rent and the property must pass inspection.
State of Oregon, federal government or local dollars may be available to assist low-income clients and help them with paying their energy bills. Oregon Coast Community Action offers the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Douglas and other counties. It can provide a one-time credit towards the primary heat source in the home. Eligible clients are those who have a shut off or a disconnect notice. Energy Counselors are available to provide counseling and guidance as well. Please call: (541) 435-7080.
The primary goal of the free Weatherization program is to lower heating costs and make their homes more energy efficient. Low-income households, including seniors and the disabled, who are facing financial difficulties can apply for the services of this program. An auditor from the community action organization will assess an applicant’s home in an effort determine the most effective method of conserving energy dollars. Please call (541) 435-7750 for more details.
Saving on utility bills is also offered from the Empower Program. The statewide resource provides assistance to low-income people who continually have high utility bills or have difficulties keeping their energy bills current.
Eligible clients who enroll in the program will work closely with a case manager to help reduce energy usage and save money. Through this program, applicants identify their personal goals and they learn to overcome barriers, which is the main objective of Empower. Budgeting classes and other life skill training are available also.
Energy Outreach is a form of guidance and referrals. In addition to offices in Coos Bay or Brookings, Energy Outreach services are now available in Myrtle Point, city of Bandon, and Port Orford Oregon as well. Clients enrolled in this program can attend appointments at the offices but also at their homes and even get the help through mail, if they are not able to visit offices.
Community action social services, education, and medical care
South Coast Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program for low-income under the age of 5 and their families. The participation in the program is free. Both state of Oregon and federal government grants fund the program. The Head Start provides services and activities that help children improve their mental, social, medical and physical skills. Parents are considered as the first teachers of their children and they have a great support of the program as well.
The main objective of the South Coast Head Start classes is of course on preparing children for kindergarten and offering them a fulfilling preschool experience. In addition to this service, nutritious meals and snacks are provided for eligible children each day.
Their parents can use this service as well. Children receive free health, dental and developmental screening, among other services. South Coast Head Start supports families from counties such as Douglas and Curry. They can get information, education and referrals. The support in cases of emergency is provided and the services aim at meeting family or personal goals. The local Head Start program has several different locations and classrooms.
Bandon Head Start, Address: 590 SE Filmore, Bandon, Oregon 97411, Phone: (541) 347-3523
Brookings Head Start, Address: 420 Alder St., Brookings, OR 97415, (541) 469-6137
Charleston Head Start, 63297 Sunrise St., Charleston, Oregon 97420, telephone number is (541) 888-2222
Coos Bay Head Start, Address: 1855 Thomas St., Coos Bay, OR 97420, (541) 888-3717
North Bend Head Start is based at Address: 2710 Oak St., North Bend, OR 97459. Call (541) 756-1821.
Port Orford Head Start, 2040 Washington, Port Orford, OR 97465, main phone (541) 332-1243
1.Coquille Valley Head Start center - 970 N. Central Blvd., Coquille, Oregon 97423 (Faith Lutheran Church), Main Phone: (541) 559-0183
Full Day Head Start, 1855 Thomas St., Coos Bay, OR 97420, (541) 888-3717
Gold Beach Head Start, Address: 29401 Ellensburg Ave., Gold Beach, OR 97444. Telephone - (541) 247-2700
Get help in applying for Medical and Federal Benefits. Staff from the Oregon Coast Community Action gives the members of the community to take the advantage of health and/ or federal government benefits. The Health Benefits Specialist can assist eligible clients in applying for Social Security, SSDI disability, Presumptive Medical, Healthy Kids or OHP.
MedNet is a program designed for providing assistance to eligible, uninsured individuals. The services of the program include help with buying prescriptions, checkups, and dental or medical appointments. Eligible client can receive one-time financial assistance as funding allows.
Dental assistance from Oregon Coast Community Action provides uninsured adults with care. This service is available through the Emergency Dental Days program. The assistance is available once a month. Please call: (541) 435-7080 for the next opportunity.
Locations of Oregon Coast Community Action
- Myrtle Point Office, Address is 1320 Maryland Ave, Myrtle Point, OR 97458. Call (541) 572-5029
- Curry County Office, 97829 Shopping Ctr Ave, Ste F, Harbor, OR 97415, (541) 469-3155
- Coos County Center is at P.O. Box 899, Coos Bay, OR 97420
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