Citizen empowerment programs developed and administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce are designed to assist low-income individuals and families make healthy transitions in their lives and consequently achieve and sustain a better life. More than $20 million is appropriated to support programs that help empower Oklahoma's neediest families to overcome hardship and move toward self-sufficiency.

Most of these services are delievered through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs). A portion of state appropriated funds goes to each of the 20 CAAs serving all 77 Oklahoma counties to support the programs and services they administer. CAAs provide a range of assistance for Oklahoman's with low-income, including homeless, mentally ill, handicapped, and elderly. From immediate emergency needs to comprehensive social and economic provisions that foster self-sufficiency, programs funded through CAAs help to address the most critical needs in for Oklahoma's low income population.

For detailed information about how to take advantage of these programs at the local level, please contact your local Community Action Agency.

RX for Oklahoma 

Rx for Oklahoma, is a state funded prescription assistance program that assists uninsured and under-insured Oklahomans with accessing FREE and discount medications through prescription assistance programs provided by pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. Rx for Oklahoma provides Oklahomans with better healthcare and improved medication compliance. For additional information, contact Rx for Oklahoma at 1-877-RX4-OKLA (1-877-794-6552) or www.RX4OKLA.com.

CENA

Community Expansion of Nutrition Assistance (CENA) Program is a state-funded community nutrition program that provides funding to qualified Oklahoma Senior Centers for the general improvement of nutritional and social conditions for senior Oklahomans. CENA funds assist with providing increased meals and expanding social activities for senior Oklahomans at statewide Senior Centers.  As CENA Service Providers, Oklahoma Regional Councils of Government and Department of Human Service Area Agencies on Aging coordinate with Oklahoma senior citizens to improve social and nutritional needs for senior adults.

Related Website:
Oklahoma Department of Health and Human Services Area Agencies on Aging 

Oklahoma Head Start

The state of Oklahoma received national recognition for having the most accessible early childhood education in the nation, thanks in part to strong state funding for Head Start. This program provides state funding to Community Action Agencies that administer or sponsor federal Head Start programs.

Head Start provides comprehensive programs addressing health, education, parent involvement, social services and services for children with disabilities, all of which are coordinated with community-based service systems. These child-focused programs have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in economically disadvantaged families.

Oklahoma is one of the few states to provide additional state funds to federally funded Head Start agencies. State funds enhance the federal program by expanding services, increasing enrollment, and/or activating early intervention strategies via the agencies' programs.

Sources: Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP),
Head Start Program Information Reports (PIR)

Related Websites:

National Head Start Association
Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies

Homeless Assistance

The homeless assistance program helps homeless individuals and families move into decent, safe and affordable housing and live independent lives in their chosen communities. The program provides state funds to Community Action Agencies across the state to support homeless individuals and families and those in imminent danger of becoming homeless.

Types of Programs Funded/Assistance Provided
Funds support CAA initiatives to provide emergency and transitional shelter, transportation assistance, counseling services, and more.

Estimated Total Program Funding
$115,000

Community Services Block Grants

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program funds are contracted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities and empower low-income individuals and families to become self-sufficient. The state's 20 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) provides a range of assistance from immediate emergency needs to comprehensive social and economic needs.

2009 CSBG RFA

Types of Assistance Provided
Typical funding provides for housing, education, nutrition, health, emergency assistance and economic development. Job development and job creation are a strong focus of the local efforts.

Estimated Annual Program Funding
$7 million

Related Website:
Department of Health and Human Services