News

Head Start  and Early Head Start Now Enrolling for Fall 2012
OACAC Head Start is a high quality preschool/childcare program for young children.  For your child, Head Start provides medical & dental care, meals, bus transportation (half day centers only) and a great learning experience!  Transportation assistance is available for families to attend Head Start activities.

Head Start invites children with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the program.  Full or half-day sessions are available.  Families who meet income guidelines and whose childre are 3 or 4 years old before August 1 are eligible to apply.  4 year olds receive priority along with foster children and children receiving SSI. For more information call 1-866-282-3430.

  
Project Share - Springfieldians Helping Area Residents with Energy, Read More! 
Article on KY3. To donate, just write Project Share in the memo line of your check and mail to OACAC at 215 S. Barnes, Springfield, MO 65802 or click here to donate online.

Foster Grandparents
     Foster Grandparents recruiting seniors age 55+
     Read about what makes Grandma Roxy smile every day!  Click Here

             
December 14, 2011- Program Brings Warmth - Read More!

December 12, 2011
Congratulations to Nancy Masner and the Housing Assistance Staff for being selected as the outstanding performer for the Balance of State Shelter Plus Care Grant for Taney and Stone Counties.  Liz Hagar-Mace from the Missouri Department of Mental Health presented the award to Nancy Masner and Carl Rosenkranz today in Springfield.

December 3, 2011 - Breakfast with Santa held at the OACAC Dade County Neighborhood Center.

November 29, 2011

Congratulations to Janice Bethurem for completing 25 years of service at OACAC!  Thank you for your many years of loyal service.

November 15, 2011 -

KY3's Ashley Reynolds reports on the importance of regular dental care for children of all ages and how you can invest in Holiday Smiles!

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November 8, 2011 - Breaking News from Dade County!
Dade County OACAC receives Ozarks Million Dollar Hunger Challenge Grant as reported by The Vedette >> View Full Article

November 3, 2011 - Talk about Economic Impact!
Weatherization provides a permanent energy solution for families.  Since June 2009, OACAC Weatherization Crews have made 2,586 homes more energy efficient.  The average annual energy savings = $430 first year savings per household. Since June 2009 OACAC Weatherization has saved families in Southwest Missouri a combined average first year energy savings of $1,111,980 over 1.1 million dollars!  In addition, we have created 83 new jobs and now contract with several new local contractors to serve our 10 counties.
Source: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Energy Center and OACAC
Weatherization Program is the Seventh Highest Recovery Act Job Creator - View Article

November 1, 2011
Some have asked what kind of flowers are still blooming around the OACAC sign. They are Homestead Purple Verbena, a low-growing evergreen perennial that blooms early spring through fall.  It prefers full sun and is heat and drought tolerant.  Enjoy!

October 25, 2011 - Congratulations to the Greene County Center Board Members for posting the Best Area Board Attendance for the 2010-2011 Program Year.

Board President Tony Delong presented the Jack Gamble Memorial Award to Dave O'Dell, Tim Prater, and Paula McCurdy

Governor Nixon Proclaimed October to be Head Start Awareness Month in Missouri  See Proclamation!

During October, OACAC Head Start is celebrating and strengthening area awareness of the positive effects the program has on low-income children.  On average, Head Start graduates rank higher in language, literacy, social conduct, and physical development than their non-Head Start peers. OACAC Head Start has provided comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and family involvement services to low-income children since 1965.  

October 8, 2011
Congratulations to Julie Scott, Grand Champion of the 3rd Annual Ozark Mountain Monopoly Tournament!

Julie Scott, Cy Bortner, Tony Delong and Ervin Ihrig

October 1, 2011

The first annual OACAC Scavenger Hunt was loads of fun and raised much needed money for families in crisis.  Thanks to the Greene County Board of Directors and Peck Financial Services for Sponsoring this great event!

September 28, 2011

Thanks to Senator Bob Dixon and his wife Amanda for attending the OACAC Area Board Meeting last evening to present Carl Rosenkranz with courtesy resolutions from the Missouri Senate and House in honor of 40 years of service to Southwest Missouri.  Also, congratulations to Todd Steinmann, Weatherization Director for completing 25 years of service with OACAC.  Well Done!

Senator Bob Dixon, Amanda Dixon, and Carl Rosenkranz

Todd Steinmann is honored for 25 years of service with OACAC.

September 21, 2011
BREAKING NEWS! 

Jeannie Chaffin has been named the Director of the Office of Community Services.  Jeannie began her career at OACAC and was Missouri's Community Services Block Grant Director.  She will leave her current post at the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) at the end of September and will assume her new role at the US Department of Health and Human Services in early October. Congratulations Jeannie!

OACAC Recognizes Main Street Baptist Church as an Outstanding Community Partner at the MACA Annual Conference.  In addition, Mayor Jim O'Neal proclaimed June 29, 2011 to be Community Action Day.  Read More!  See the Proclamation from Mayor O'Neal!

 
Pastor Harold McMasters accepts the award from Elaine West, MACA Director.  Amber Burton, Dade County Neighborhood Center Supervisor is standing in the photo.

Mayor Jim O'Neal and Todd Steinmann, OACAC Weatherization Director

OACAC Stories - Helping You Make A Difference

Congratulations to Beverly Roberts Jackson for being honored as one of the Ten Top Remarkable Moms in the Ozarks by Camp Barnabas.  We are proud of you!

2011 Step Up to Leadership Graduates Celebrate Leadership Training - Read More! 
Read quotes from graduates!

Community Resources Worked Together to Move Nakita from Domestic Violence Victim to College Student.  Read More!