The Community Action Council of Portage County has announced that the Winter Crisis Program ( Emergency HEAP) will end as of March 31, 2016.   Any individual or family who has a disconnection notice or less than a 10-day supply of a bulk fuel, is at or below 175% of the poverty guidelines, and has not applied for Emergency HEAP since November 1, 2016 may be eligible and should contact the agency.  Applicants will need to provide utility bills, proof of income, and possibly other information based on individual circumstances.                       
 
Customers of Dominion East Ohio Gas or Ohio Edison can receive up to $175 to restore or maintain utility service. Users of fuel oil and propane may receive a benefit of up to $750.00, and coal or wood users may receive up to $450.00. 
 
Applicants can continue to enroll in the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP+), as well as the 2016 Regular HEAP Program through June 30, 2016.        
 
There are no longer appointments available for this season’s emergency program, but there are still opportunities to receive assistance.  You can call us at  330-297-1456 and press 0 for the receptionist to get more information.  Walk-ins are still available at the main office in Ravenna (1036 West Main St) on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8am to 11am (or the first 24 households) thru March 31st, at the Portage County Senior Center (705 Oakwood St) on Wednesday, March 16th & 23rd from 9am to 11am (or first 7 households), or at the Windham Renaissance Family Center (9005 Wilverne Dr) on Friday, March 18th from 9am to 11am (or first 14 households).

The Portage County College Access Program (PCCAN) was created in 2007 and is a collaborative partnership of the Ravenna School District, Kent State University, the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN), PARTA, and the Community Action Council of Portage County (CAC).  As a 501-c-3 charity, CAC of Portage Count acts as the fiscal agent for the project.     

The mission of the Portage County College Access Network--in collaboration with local education, business, government and other non-profits--is to foster a culture within the county to support current educational endeavors that facilitate graduation from high school and transition to postsecondary education including 4-year colleges or universities, 2-year colleges, trade schools, 2-year technical schools and apprenticeships.  In accomplishing that mission, PCCAN seeks to develop and implement college and career readiness activities in local school districts so as to provide students with a wide variety of information, knowledge, and assistance related to the college-going process.  Students meet throughout the school year and PCCAN classes are conducted by school guidance counselors. 

In 2016, efforts are focused on students enrolled in the Ravenna School District but future expansion of the program is anticipated.    All PCCAN activities are funded by donations and fund-raising activities, and the partners have established an endowment fund administered by the Portage Foundation to assist with fund-raising and future scholarship activities.   Since its inception, PCCAN has provided over 110 book scholarships to students participating in PCCAN activities in the Ravenna School District and Kent City Schools totaling nearly $30,000.

On May 03, 2016, PCCAN is sponsoring an Awards and Recognition Luncheon at the Ravenna Elks Club and hopes to award between six (6) and ten (10) $250 book scholarships to college-bound Ravenna High School students.  Tickets are available at $25.00/person or $200/table and donations are also accepted and appreciated.  All funds raised through this luncheon will be used to provide scholarships for 2016 and beyond.    


Your assistance in purchasing tickets or making a donation for this event would be very much appreciated.   If you are interested in purchasing tickets for the scholarship luncheon or making a donation, please contact Ms. Natalie Esther of CAC @ 330-297-1456 Extension 225 or via e-mail at nesther@cacportage.net or Ms. Amy Adams of CAC @ 330-297-1456 Ext 104 or via e-mail at aadams@cacportage.net.  

The Community Action Council of Portage County acts as the fiscal agent for PCCAN and 100% of funds raised go directly to the provision of scholarships.   Checks should be made payable to the Community Action Council of Portage County.  Additional information regarding the event—including electronic payments—can be accessed through the CAC website @ www.cacportage.net.