Our Programs

Emergency Assistance

The purpose of Emergency Assistance Program is to assist county residents with a utility, shelter or other situation and intervene when possible to alleviate an emergency situation. 

Weatherization

The mission of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to reduce the heating and cooling costs for low-income families-particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children-by improving the energy efficiency of their home and thereby insuring their health and safety.

Garden Program

The Gardens Program was established to help supplement an applicant’s food supply thus allowing the applicant more disposable income to address monthly household expenses. Counties use various funding sources that provide garden packages (seeds, plants, potatoes, fertilizer, dust) to low income households. Items provided by this program help supplement the daily nutritional needs of eligible applicants

 Head Start

Head Start is schooling and instruction targeted at the overall mental, physical, and social development of the pre-kindergarten, low-income child and family. 

The Head Start philosophy revolves around the following key points:

·         Comprehensive child development services. To develop fully and achieve social competence, children and their families need a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to early childhood development and health services as well as family and community partnerships.

·         Parental involvement. Parents are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of the Head Start program, including shared governance in policy and program decisions that respond to their interests and needs. Additionally, Head Start programs work in close partnership with parents and other family members to develop and utilize their strengths so that all involved adults may successfully support child, personal and family goals.

·         Community partnerships and community-based services. Specific models of service provision flow out of the characteristics of different communities. To fulfill program and community goals, Head Start programs build linkages and collaborations with other service providers and leaders in the community.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program

In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Resources, NCWVCAA provides the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) that assists eligible households with the cost of home heating through direct cash payments or payments to utility companies on their behalf.

Income Tax Assistance

The VITA Program offers free tax help for low- to moderate-income  people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by NCWVCAA, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country.  Assistance is by appointment only.

Summer Food Service Program

The Summer Feeding program meets the nutritional needs of children ages 0-18 that may not have access to meals during the summer months when school is not in session.  Some sites provide breakfast and lunch while other sites only provide lunch. Each county establishes approved sites and locations to provide these meals. Funding occurs through Program Income, Contributions, Summer Food Income, and Department of Education.

Thanksgiving and Holiday Blessing

Asking local business owners in these communities to help with a project to "employ the unemployed" for a day, businesses are asked to make $100.00 contribution to North Central WV Community Action on behalf of those households that are registered with the WV Job Service program.  After the individual has performed his/her one day of service to a local business, NCWVCAA issues them a check for $100.00 to help with their holiday expenses. 

HELP

The HELP Program is designed to meet the emergency housing repair needs of low-income home owners. "Emergency" in this context includes any structural or construction problem that threatens the health and/or safety of its inhabitants, such as heating and cooling  systems, roof and window repairs and sewer or water systems. Loans range in amount from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available through NCWVCAA.

HOME

“Home Ownership Made Easy” is also funded by WV Housing Development Fund.  This program provides new home ownership opportunities for income-eligible individuals or families who have a steady source of income and a good credit rating.  Credit payments are negotiated with WV Housing Development Fund, which lowers the payment to a percentage of the household income.

Camp Galilee
 The young people from this class under supervision from their directors do minor repairs to 5-7 homes in the Terra Alta area.  They purchase the supplies and labor.  We provide a list of homes to be repaired.

CASA
 (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for Children

Clothing Pantry
 A free service provided to Preston County Residents.  Donations are received, displayed in the clothing pantry and given at no charge to county residents.  This program is primarily run by volunteers.

Community Easter Program
In conjunction with Starting Points and the Family Resource Network we hold an Easter Egg Hunt for community children.

DHHR Volunteer Program
Those individuals receiving benefits from DHHR are required to do volunteer work.  DHHR refers clients to contact us about volunteering at Community Action.

Forgotten Angel Program
After all Christmas Programs have signed families up to receive assistance for the holiday season, we sign families up for the Forgotten Angel Program.  It is for families that are not signed up on any other program and that are unable to provide Christmas for their children.  We assist children up to the age of 18.  The families pick up the gifts and give them to their children.  The gifts come from donated toys from the WV State Police in Preston County.

Kingwood Ministerial
 Heating Assistance