FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2008

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that the Ohio Heartland Community Action Agency has been selected to perform the community services needs of Morrow County residents. An estimated $55,512 in Community Service Block Grant dollars from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be allocated to the Agency for senior citizen activities, meal programs, and emergency services.

"Improving the capacity to help individuals and families move toward greater self-sufficiency is of the utmost importance to the State," said Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "I am confident that the Ohio Heartland Community Action Agency will provide Morrow County residents with valuable services."

The Agency, which currently serves Crawford and Marion Counties, received designation as Morrow County's Community Action Agency effective May 9 and will expand services to Morrow County residents through the 2008-2009 program year.

The Ohio Department of Development's Office of Community Services administers funds to Ohio’s 52 community action agencies across the State. During the last program year, the Office administered $24,454,036 of resources aimed at alleviating the problems of poverty in Ohio's communities. Nationally, Ohio ranks second in the amount of resources developed by its community action network.

The Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division (in which the Office of Community Services is housed) administers a variety of state and federally funded programs that benefit low - to moderate - income individuals and families. As part of the State's overall development efforts, the Division coordinates these programs to form a comprehensive strategy to build stronger, healthier communities throughout Ohio.

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Media contacts: Kelly Schlissberg at (614) 466-4133 or Melissa Vince at (614) 466-6619