OACAC History and Accomplishments
In November, 1965, the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation was organized
as a not-for-profit agency to work toward alleviating the causes and conditions
of poverty in the Ozarks. At that time OACAC sponsored Head Start, Manpower/Work
Experience Programs, Neighborhood Youth Corps and Adult Basic Education.
Today, funds are allocated through the Community Services Block Grant
(CSBG).
OACAC reached out into the community in 1969 when Neighborhood Community
Centers were organized. The purpose of establishing a center in each of
the counties was to better facilitate the OACAC mandate of organizing
and focusing all available resources and community facilities on the causes
and results of poverty. Neighborhood/Community Centers seek to meet the
special needs of each county as well as provide outreach and referral
services for the low income population.
New programs came under OACAC's sponsorship, meeting the varying needs
found among the low income in Southwest Missouri. In 1972, the Foster
Grandparent Program began, serving elderly citizens and handicapped children
throughout the area. Weatherization began in 1974, completing only 65
homes in that year. Family Planning started in 1970 and now operates 10
clinics, and provides information and supplies in 9 counties in southwest
Missouri.
Community Food and Nutrition programs were started in 1975, serving a
variety of needs from nutrition education to growing and marketing. Other
programs included Homebound Shoppers, Housing Assistance, Commodity Food
Distribution and Home Health Care. In 1977, OACAC began sponsorship of
the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP). This program provides utility
assistance, fans and air conditioners for needy families and the elderly.
Throughout the years, as needs and conditions changed, some OACAC programs
were completed or spun off to be supported by the community or to receive
other funding. A few notable examples include the Adult Basic Education
Program which was completely assumed by the State, the Homebound Shoppers
Program which is now a program staffed by volunteers, and the highly successful
Home Health care program which was formally transferred to St. John's
Regional Health Center in 1982.
The agency has grown from a budget of $2 million in 1965 to a budget of
$20 million in 2003. OACAC continues to research needs of the low income
population in the ten county area and operates programs to meet those
needs.