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Phone (419) 784-5136 | Address: 1933 E 2nd Street Defiance, Ohio 43512

Consumer Feedback

Proudly Serving Northwestern Ohio

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The MISSION of Northwestern Ohio
Community Action Commission, Inc.

(NOCAC) is to plan, develop and coordinate program
and services designed to combat conditions related
to poverty in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding,
Van Wert and Williams Counties. NOCAC provides
opportunities to attain the necessary skills, knowledge
and motivation to consumers that are necessary to
become self-sufficient members of the communities
in which they live.

Meals are Provided

Meals are provided at our Head Start Centers and
Summer Food Service Program sites to help meet
nutritional needs.

Publicly Funded Child Care providers

NOCAC recruits, trains and monitors Publicly Funded
Child Care providers.

Head Start and Early Childhood Education Programs

The agency operates Head Start and Early Childhood
Education programs to prepare children and their
families for kindergarten success.

Partnership Assistance to the Homeless Center

Our PATH (Partnership Assistance to the Homeless)
Center provides free nutritious meals,
socialization, and educational programs with a
focus on serving area homeless persons.

Weatherization & Home Repair Programs

Weatherization & Home Repair programs make homes
safe, comfortable, and energy efficient while reducing
the heating and cooling costs.

Financial Empowerment Program

The Financial Empowerment Program is designed to
assist low-to-moderate income families and
individuals to achieve their financial goals.

Our PATH Soup Kitchen/Drop-In Center

Daily meals are provided and commodities are
distributed monthly at our PATH Soup Kitchen/Drop-In Center.

CONSUMER & COMMUNITY SERVICES

Child Care
The NOCAC Publicly Funded Child Care Program, funded through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, assists eligible families from Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Van Wert, or Williams counties in locating and/or paying for child care for their children ages birth to 13 years of age. Services are also available in Henry County. Interested individuals can also become licensed child care providers.

Early Childhood Education – Preschool
Preschool services are provided for children age three to five and their families in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding and Williams counties. Services are also available in Van Wert county. These services include education, parent involvement, nutrition and health to promote school readiness and success.

Emergency Assistance
NOCAC has a variety of funding sources and programs available to assist low-income households with the high costs of utilities and help avoid the disconnection of utility services. Our knowledgeable staff can also educate customers about available budget plans and local resources.

Financial Empowerment
The Financial Empowerment Program (FEP) is designed to assist low-to-moderate income families and individuals to achieve their financial goals. The Ohio Benefit Bank is designed to help Ohioans file their income taxes and complete applications for programs like food assistance and health coverage.

Health & Nutrition
NOCAC encourages good nutrition by connecting families to available resources. Programs promote food security and teach healthy eating choices.

Housing
Programs provide housing services for individuals and/or families to obtain stable housing and supportive services.

Homelessness
If you are in need of emergency shelter or homelessness assistance, please call 419-990-5135 to access available services.

Weatherization & Home Repair
Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission operates programs to increase the safety and energy efficiency of homes for low-income individuals and families. These services are provided free of charge to eligible participants.

Background Webchecks - Fingerprinting
NOCAC is registered with the State of Ohio as a WebCheck® Community provider. Appointments are not necessary, however to ensure availability, please call 419-784-5136 prior to coming. Staff are normally available from 8:00 am until 3:30 pm Monday through Friday.

News & Events

Getting Ahead Class Starts in March

Are you ready to make some changes in your life?   NOCAC's Getting Ahead financial literacy program can help you. The classes are held once a week for 8 weeks and you receive a $20 gift card for each class attended. The next session of NOCAC's Getting Ahead classes...

PRC and SNAP Benefits

PRC Program The Prevention, Retention, and Contingency program was established in Ohio to help families overcome immediate barriers to employment so they can achieve or maintain self-sufficiency.  It can provide benefits to eligible low-income families who need help...

Early Childhood Screenings

It is that time of the year again! Developmental Early Childhood Screenings are available in Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Williams counties. Click on your county name in the list below to view your local screening dates and locations. Defiance CountyHenry CountyFulton...

Tax Preparation Program

NOCAC’s free tax preparation program provides one-on-one assistance with trained counselors to help income-eligible households prepare and file federal, state of Ohio, and school district tax returns free of charge. Using the Ohio Benefit Bank software the program...

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Employment & Volunteer Opportunities

What is a Living Wage in Ohio?

Applications

Employment Application

Energy Assistance Programs Online Application

Head Start Application – English

Head Start Application – Spanish

PFCC Application for Child Care Benefits

Volunteering with NOCAC

What Our Consumers Are Saying

Choices That Shouldn’t Have To Be Made – My husband has experienced serious health problems over the last few years. If it weren’t for the HEAP program, we would have had to choose between electricity or medicine. It’s one thing to get help; however, it’s another thing to get help and not to be made to feel like a number or even more depressing and worthless. NOCAC staff was warm and friendly when I needed it. Thanks!

-Direct Consumer Quote

What Our Consumers Are Saying

You Made It Great – You have made this (Head Start) year wonderful for us and I couldn’t tell you just how much you are appreciated. You go above and beyond your duties with families.

– Direct Consumer Quote

What Our Consumers Are Saying

You Made It Great – For those of us that find ourselves in a position of need, especially since I used to be able to just work and meet my own needs, it is hard to ask for help and also hard to be looked at as if somehow we are “less” because we are not able to provide for ourselves all of the time. But at no time have I felt that way with anyone I have come across in the weatherization program so to simply say “THANK YOU” sounds so small compared to what I feel inside. The crew will always be in my thoughts because to me they went above and beyond what was asked of them and they did it with such kindness!

– Direct Consumer Quote

What Our Consumers Are Saying

A Family Support System – The Head Start Program gave me free education for my child. We would be struggling to pay preschool tuition without the program. Head Start has been such a god-send to our family. We have been through a lot in our lives. I had some bad family times and Head Start always helped me when needed. They always understood my needs and my children’s. The teachers are absolutely amazing and so supportive of the family. We love and cherish the program and the effort behind it.

– Direct Consumer Quote

What Our Consumers Are Saying

A Hand Up – I would be going without the basics of life without this program. Maybe forced to use a payday advance system which would make matters worse. I am middle aged with a disabled spouse. I lost a full-time job of 28 years that paid $18/hour and now work a part-time minimum wage job. The CAC has been a godsend to help us through the tough times of our lives. They have provided information and direction on outside resources. The staff are professional and friendly. They’re a HAND UP not a HAND OUT. Thank you for your services.

– Direct Consumer Quote

Serving Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert and Williams Counties

NOCAC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.