OACAA Briefing: The latest news from OACAA and Ohio's CAAs

September 2026

Calling Ohio's Community Action Network!

OACAA is trying something new for the 2027 Winter Conference, and we want to hear from you. We are seeking presenters from across Ohio's Community Action Network to share promising practices, lessons learned, innovative approaches, and strategies that are making a difference in your agency and community.

You do not need prior conference presentation experience to submit a proposal. If you have an experience, lesson learned, or success story that could help others, we encourage you to apply.

Whether your topic is leadership, operations, service delivery, using data to make decisions and improve services, advocacy, communications, partnerships, or something else entirely, we'd love to hear about it. We are looking for practical examples, real-world experiences, and perspectives from across the network.

The 2027 Winter Conference will be held February 24-25 at The Ohioan Hotel in Lewis Center, Ohio. Submit your proposal by October 30 and help shape the conversation at this year's conference.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL TODAY

NETWORK NEWS & SUCCESSES

Athens County orgs among OneOhio Recovery Foundation grant awardees

(Source: Athens County Independent; Writer: Aimee Shadwick)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Seven projects focused on saving lives, preventing substance use disorder, expanding access to treatment, supporting recovery and strengthening community resilience in Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs and Vinton counties have been awarded a combined $1.1 million through the OneOhio Recovery Foundation’s Regional Grant Cycle 2. The seven awards support locally driven, evidence-informed work that responds to the local impacts of substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions, putting opioid settlement dollars to work where they can make a meaningful difference.

Ohio’s opioid settlement dollars are most powerful when they reach the organizations and communities closest to the work of prevention, treatment and recovery, said Alisha Nelson, Executive Director of the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.

>>> READ ARTICLE

Free WOCAP workshop focuses on parenting and building stronger relationships

(Source: Hometown Stations; Writer: Stacey Myers Cook)

LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The West Ohio Community Action Partnership is offering a workshop designed to help men build stronger relationships with children.

The “Key Behaviors” workshop is open to dads, grandfathers, father figures, mentors and anyone who has or works with children.

The workshop will cover topics such as healthy and effective approaches to parenting and building stronger, more meaningful relationships with children.

>>> READ MORE

NOCAC awarded $5 million for Head Start

(Source: Northwest Signal; Writer: Alyse Riffer)

DEFIANCE – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur recently announced the Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) will receive more than $5 million for renovations of its Defiance Head Start building.

The award – granted in the total amount of $5,131,429 – is funded through the United States Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families.

NOCAC's upcoming renovations to the Defiance Head Start building will allow for expanded space for both their preschool program and the Early Head Start program. >>> READ MORE

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