Additional Resources Contact Community Services

EOC Community Services provides a wide array of supportive services—everything from help in getting a child-sized winter coat to buying a first home. Programs fall generally within the following areas: Community-Based Initiatives, Financial Self-Sufficiency, Housing and Homeless Prevention, Job Training, and Utility Assistance.   For additional information, contact Patricia Lobdell at 814-726-2400, ext. 3031or at lobdell@wfcaa.org.

Community-Based Initiatives

Name of Program Partner and/or Funding Source Eligibility Program Description  Coats for Kids Program  Atlantic Broadband, Northwest Savings Bank, WNAE/WRNN, and Jarvis Cleaners  No eligibility requirements.  The Coats for Kids Programs provides locally donated winter clothing, mostly usable fall and winter coats to children in need. Snow pants, vests, hats, and other winter clothing may also be donated. Local residents may drop off clothing at Northwest Savings and Atlantic Broadband at designated times. The coats are then cleaned by Jarvis Cleaners and brought to EOC where they are made available to anyone in need of winter clothing. The program runs from mid-October through February.  Community Fund  The communities of Warren and Forest Counties  No eligibility requirements.  Allows interested parties to make financial contributions that will be used to address health, human and social service needs in the Warren-Forest Area.

Financial Self-Sufficiency Programs

Name of Program Partner and/or Funding Source Eligibility Program Description   Budget Counseling Program   Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development   Residents of Warren and Forest Counties.   Helps clients learn to coordinate their resources and expenditures within a family budget.   Family Savings Account (FSA) Program   Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development   Income-eligible persons in Warren and Forest Counties. Must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Asset eligibility limited to $10,000 or below.   Requires each participant to set a savings goal: homeownership, home repairs, higher education, the start up of a new business, or the purchase of a new vehicle. All savings are matched dollar for dollar up to $2,000 over a two or three year period. Participants must save a minimum of $10 per week, and attend 4 FSA Financial Literacy workshops.   Grow a New Enterprise (GANE)   Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), Northwest Savings Bank, Community Foundation of Warren County   All residents of Warren and Forest Counties—no income restrictions   GANE provides micro business development services targeted towards persons of low- and moderate-income with little or no business experience. GANE focuses on providing business training and lending, and works in collaboration with other programs, such as the Family Savings Account Program, that support and nurture the efforts of new entrepreneurs.

Employment and Training Programs

Name of Program Partner and/or Funding Source Eligibility Program Description   Career Development Component (CDC)   St. Benedicts Education Center, Warren County Assistance Office, Forest County Assistance Office   TANF or Food Stamp recipients in Warren and Forest Counties. Must be referred by County assistance office.   Assists TANF or Food Stamp recipients to enroll in approved job search and training activities. During job training, job search, and employment activities, CDC can help with support services such as auto repairs, tools, and auto insurance. Program is limited to one year in length for training.   Supported Engagement   Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development   TANF recipients in Warren and Forest Counties who are enrolled in the DPW Maximizing Participation Project (MPP)   A gradual engagement program to help TANF recipients who are enrolled in MPP transition into the workforce. Provides intensive care management supportive services. Persons participate 10 hours a week for months 1-6, 20 hours a week for months 7-12, and 30 hours a week for months 13-18. Participation includes a variety of work activities. Job retention is met after 3 months of working in a 30-hour a week job   Supported Work Program (SWP)   Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)   TANF or Food Stamp recipients in Warren or Forest County. Must be referred by county assistance office.   Assists TANF or Food Stamp recipients to enroll in approved job search and training activities. Similar to CDC (see above), but involves shorter retention period and provides limited training.   Work Support Component (WSC)   St. Benedict’s Education Center, Warren County Assistance Office, Forest County Assistance Office   Pre-TANF recipients in Warren and Forest Counties who are eligible for TANF are referred to WSC in order in assure that they are able to meet the hourly activity requirement.   Recipients enroll in job search activities and job readiness activities in order to find employment. In some cases, recipients may be able to enroll in ABE or GED classes to improve their chances of gaining employment. Once a recipient has gained employment the CAO caseworker determines if the client is to remain in WSC for retention services or to be transferred to SWP or CDC and officially opens a TANF Cash Case.

Utility Assistance Programs

Name of Program Partner and/or Funding Source Eligibility Program Description   Columbia Gas Customer Assistance Program (CAP)   Columbia Gas   Income-eligible Columbia Gas consumers in Warren County. Must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) and have referral from Columbia Gas.   Reduces gas costs by capping the customer’s payment based on gross income and gradual forgiving of arrears on the account.    Dollar Energy Fund   Columbia Gas, Penelec First Energy, PPL Gas, and Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC)   Income-eligible Columbia Gas, Penelec, PPL Gas, and PAWC customers in Warren and Forest Counties who are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). PAWC customers must have paid at least $100 on their accounts in the past 90 days. First Energy and Penelec customers must have paid at least $150 on their account in the past 90 days.   Assistance for those facing termination of services because of arrearages over $100. Assistance consists of lump sum deposit on the account. Funds utilized when LIHEAP is not available.   FEMA   Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)   Residents in Warren County having financial difficulties, but no income restriction.   Emergency utility assistance. Can provide oil, propane, wood, coal water, electric, or natural gas. The program is limited to payment of one month’s charges.   H2O Program   Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC)   Income-eligible PAWC customers in Warren and Forest Counties   50% savings off the service charge. Provides water-saving showerheads, faucets, and water balloon bags for toilets to reduce water usage in the home. EOC coordinates referrals to the H2O Program.   Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund   National Fuel Gas (NFG)   Eligible households limited to those 55 years or older or be a person with a disability as defined by SSI, VA, SSD, or workers comp regardless of age, or have a medically related emergency (documentation required), regardless of age.  Customer must have made 4 payments in the past year and at least 1 payment in the past 90 days.  Must live in NFG territory.   Assistance with fuel needs for those with shut off notices. Provides for minimum deliveries of propane, oil, or firewood.   Penelec Customer Assistance Program   Penelec First Energy   Income-eligible Penelec customers in Warren and Forest Counties. Must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG).   Reduces electric costs by capping the customer’s payment based on gross income and gradual forgiving of arrears on the account.

Housing and Homeless Prevention Programs

Name of Program Partner and/or Funding Source Eligibility Program Description   Commissioners Immediate Need Program   Warren County Commissioners   Income-eligible homeowners in Warren County with housing needs of an emergency nature   Provides assistance with immediate housing needs or needs of an emergency nature.   First-Time Homebuyer Program   U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Warren County Commissioners   Income-eligible first-time homebuyers in Warren County. Must meet Section 8 guidelines.   Financial assistance with the closing and down payment expenses associated with buying a home.   Homeless Assistance Program (HAP)   U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Warren County Commissioners   Warren County residents who are homeless or near homeless. Near homeless persons are those who are behind on rent and are facing homelessness. Must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) have eviction notice.   Provides emergency rental assistance by providing either the first month’s rent or a security deposit, or funds to keep clients in their current living situations.   Housing Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)   Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)   Homeowners who are in foreclosure of their homes. Must have received an Act 91.   Assistance with loan application to PHFA. PHFA makes final determination.   HUD Housing Counseling   U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development   Residents of Warren and Forest Counties.   Housing and budget counseling services.   Pre-Housing Counseling   Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency   Residents of Warren and Forest Counties   Pre-purchasing counseling in obtaining a Pennsylvania Housing Finance Loan.   Supportive Housing   Forest Warren Human Services (FWHS) and Housing and Neighborhood Development Services (HANDS).  Funded through PATH.    Services are provided to those with a mental illness   Housing Specialist assists consumers in transitional housing and permanent supportive housing provided by HANDS, EOC, and other community housing resources including the Housing Authority and local private landlords.  Housing Specialist coordinates Local Housing Options Team (LIHOT) to identify and advocate housing opportunities in Warren and Forest Counties.