Ironton & Lawrence County Area Community Action Organization

IT IS OUR PURPOSE TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS, ON A NON-DISCRIMINATORY BASIS, IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER, THAT WILL PROMOTE FAMILY VALUES. WE WILL WORK DILIGENTLY TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY TOWARD THE ELIMINATION OF THE CAUSES OF POVERTY. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO THESE GOALS WITH COMPASSION AND DEDICATION TO PROMOTE DECENT HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, JOB TRAINING, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN A CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO SELF-RESPECT AND REACH MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.

RURAL HEALTH - THE FAMILY MEDICAL CENTERS ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE RURAL HEALTH INITIATIVE OF THE BUREAU OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE. THEY ARE COMMUNITY BASED HEALTH CENTERS WITH OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING COST EFFECTIVE, HIGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE FOR THE PEOPLE OF LAWRENCE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. IN 1999, OUR MEDICAL CENTERS RECEIVED ACCREDITATION FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF HEALTH CARE ORGAINIZATIONS. THIS ACCREDITATION REQUIRED ALMOST TWO YEARS OF INTENSIVE PREPARATION AND WAS REWARDED WITH HIGH MARKS DURING THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS. FAMILY MEDICINE PROVIDES CARE FOR YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE. THE MEDICAL CENTERS PROVIDE ACUTE AS WELL AS CHRONIC CARE. THEY PLACE A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PREVENTIVE CARE SERVICE'S AND OFFER THE PERSONAL TOUCH OF THE OLD FASHIONED FAMILY DOCTOR. THE MEDICAL CENTERS SERVE THOSE WHO HAVE INSURANCE AND CAN AFFORD TO PAY, ELDERLY PERSONS ON MEDICARE, AND FAMILIES THAT CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY.

HEADSTART SEEKS TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE TO THE COMMUNITY. THIS INCLUDES PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, AGES BIRTH THROUGH FIVE YEARS OLD, AND SPECIAL SERVICES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, INFANTS AND TODDLERS. WE ALSO PROVIDE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, AND INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROVIDES A NUMBER OF SERVICES INCLUDING SUCH ACTIVITIES AS PROVIDING EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS PERSONS, WORKING TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/JOB CREATION OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, IMPROVING AND EXPANDING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS IN THE COUNTY AND PERFORMING THE DUTIES AS THE ADMINISTERING AGENT FOR VARIOUS GRANTS AT THE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL LEVEL.THE WORK PERFORMED BY THE DEPARTMENT EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TOUCHES THE LIVES OF NEARLY ALL OF THE RESIDENTS OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.SENIOR SERVICES - A VARIETY OF SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY THE SENIOR SERVICES PROGRAM OF CAO IN AN EFFORT TO MEET THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF OLDER AREA RESIDENTS. FOR MANY SENIORS, IT BECOMES LIKE FAMILY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO ONE ELSE.HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - A PROGRAM FOCUSED ON PROVIDING HEAT AND ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION.HOME WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM IS A FEDERALLY-FUNDED, LOW-INCOME, RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM THAT REDUCES ENERGY USE OF QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WITH FUNDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE STATE OF OHIO, THE CAOHELPS LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS MAKE THEIR HOMES MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT, ENSURING THAT LESS OF THEIR MONTHLY INCOME IS SPENT ON HEATING COSTS. ITS PURPOSES ARE TO HELP LOW-INCOME PEOPLE WITH HEATING BILLS AND TO SAVE THE NATION'S ENERGY RESOURCES.WOMEN INFANT CHILDREN PROGRAM - WIC IS THE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN. WIC HELPS INCOME ELIGIBLE PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN, WOMEN WHO RECENTLY HAD A BABY, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN UP TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE WHO ARE AT HEALTH RISK DUE TO INADEQUATE NUTRITION.COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT - CSBG HELPS LOW-INCOME PEOPLE BY PROVIDING INFORMATION, CONDUCTING WORKSHOPS, AND MAKING REFERRALS. THE PROGRAM WORKS WITH LOW-INCOME PEOPLE TO HELP THEM MOBILIZE ALL THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE FOOD PANTRY REFERRALS, EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND INDIVIDUAL CASE MANAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - A NEW BUS SYSTEM IN LAWRENCE COUNTY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE TRANSPORTATION FOR LAWRENCE COUNTY RESIDENTS IN ORDER TO TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE TRI-STATE AREA.