An automated phone line for setting appointments is allowing LCCAA's utility assistance department to help more people.

Residents in need of help paying their gas and electric bills, maintaining their bulk fuel supply or reconnecting their heat can now call 1-855-806-9620 24 hours a day, said Ken Novack, Housing Services Director.

Appointments can be made using the system at either the agency's main office or its Wellington satellite office. Walk ins are also welcome and staff members are working with clients who need to gather additional documentation.

"We are actually seeing more clients and we are completing more applications on the same day," Novack added.

The automated phone line follows the entire department's sudden relocation from 404 Broadway to 401 Broadway in downtown Lorain. The move took place after Superstorm Sandy hit the community on Oct. 29.  

Clients were seen at the agency's administrative office for the first week of the Winter Crisis Program with the new office open by Nov. 7.

Boehnlein

Lorain County parents interested in enrolling their children in Head Start will need to act earlier in 2013 than ever before.

Agency employees will begin accepting applications next month and anticipate a waiting list for slots for the program beginning in September 2013.

"We expect to be nearly full before the current school year ends," said CEO Jackie Boehnlein. "Parents who want to enroll their children need to act as soon as possible to guarantee a slot."

Boehnlein explained the agency has moved its enrollment process to earlier in the year to allow for better planning before the school year begins. Staff members will be able to complete student paperwork over the summer on the new schedule, so that the new school year can begin without focusing on registration issues.

"Ultimately, we will be able to provide even better services to Head Start families," Boehnlein added.

When the registration process opens in February it will include an option to apply online. While the application has been posted online to print for several years, this year it will be fully interactive for families. No more printing, no more faxing, just enter the family data and hit submit.  

For more information, watch www.lccaa.net or contact any LCCAA employee.

Giardini

The Board of Lorain County Community Action Agency welcomes its newest member this month.

Anthony Giardini was born and raised in Lorain and continues to practice law in the community as a partner with Giardini, Cook & Nichol, LLC.

He currently serves as general counsel to Spitzer Management, Inc., one of the largest auto retailers in the U.S. and as general counsel to Lorain City School District. He also chairs the Lorain County Democratic Party Executive Committee and sits on the Board of Elections.

"We are extremely pleased and honored to welcome Anthony Giardini to our board," said Ron Nabakowski, Board Chair. "The wealth of experience and knowledge he brings can only serve to help move the agency forward."

Board members appointed Giardini at their December meeting. All agreed that 2013 will bring more growth and achievement for the agency.    

"I'd like to see this agency become the premier agency in the county," said Henry Patterson. "I'd like to see the seats on this board sought after."

"I'm looking forward to another year," added Andres Torres. "We've got to keep working together."

LCCAA has again received approval from the Ohio Finance Fund to operate the highly successful By Car program in 2013.

Under the program, eligible clients save their earned income toward a vehicle purchase. The grant from the Ohio Finance Fund matches their savings 2 to 1 up to a total of $3,999. Participants take financial literacy courses as well as learning the costs of owning a vehicle and its proper maintenance.

LCCAA uses Agency relationships to ensure clients purchase quality used vehicles. Since its inception in February 2009, LCCAA's By Car Program participation has helped more than 20 people purchase vehicles to transport themselves to work and school.