Our Programs


Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces household energy costs by increasing energy efficiency and improving the health and safety of each resident. Benefits of a Weatherized Home: Lower electric, fuel, and water bills. Save an average of $283/year. Improved health and safety. Unsafe conditions are identified and eliminated.

Weatherization is a cost-effective investment of taxpayer dollars. For every $1 invested in the Program, Weatherization returns $4.10 to the household and society.

Weatherization Process: Contact Community Action, Inc. to complete an application. Please note: there may be a waiting list to receive services. Once the application is complete, an Auditor visits your home and completes the assessment to determine if the home is eligible for weatherization services. The Auditor will provide energy and safety education during the visit.

If the home is eligible for weatherization services, the Auditor creates a work order for the installation of weatherization materials such as attic or wall insulation; door weather stripping and sweeps; caulk/foam for air sealing; smoke alarms; and carbon monoxide alarms.

Weatherization installers will then contact you to schedule an appointment to install the materials.

Following the installation of the materials, the work is inspected to ensure everything was done correctly.

Changing the Way You Use Energy Can Save Even More:

  • Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use

  • Line dry clothes when possible

  • Open drapes on sunny days and close drapes on cold, windy days

  • Wash full loads of clothes in cold water

  • Use a microwave to cook and reheat

  • Set thermostats back at night or when away from home for extended periods of time

  • The main goal of Weatherization is to reduce energy usage and save you money!

Serving the Following Counties:

Clarion and Jefferson

Contact Information

Phone: (814) 938-3302
Email: contact@jccap.org


Clarion Food Pantry

Community Action, Inc.’s food pantry provides emergency supplemental food services to eligible Clarion County residents. The food pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Consumers are able to receive food once per month. The food pantry is operated with local donations. When funding is available, Community Action, Inc. also offers Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter holiday food assistance.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be a Clarion County resident

  • Be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines

Serving the Following Counties:

Clarion

Contact Information

Local Phone: (814) 226-4785
Toll-Free: (800) 997-7661
Fax: (814) 223-4083

Address:
Community Action, Inc.
22868 Route 68, Suite 1
Clarion, PA 16214

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


Housing & Utilities

Housing and Homeless Services:

  • Assists individuals facing homelessness with rent and security deposit

  • Temporary emergency shelter may be available

  • Case management services

  • Assistance with finding permanent, adequate housing

  • Assistance with applications for other services (such as housing, training, employment, etc.)

Utility Assistance:

  • Assists individuals with utility shut-off notices

  • Case management services and budgeting assistance

  • Referrals to local support networks and energy-saving solutions

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of Clarion or Jefferson Counties

  • Housing status: Homeless or near homeless

  • Eviction or utility shut-off notices

Contact Information

Clarion County Phone: (814) 226-4785
Jefferson County Phone: (814) 938-3302
Email: contact@jccap.org

After Hours
(814) 938-3580
800-598-3998


Crossroads

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used by one person to gain power or control over another person in a close relationship, such as a spouse, partner, dating partner, or family member.

It can take many forms, including:

  • Physical abuse: Hitting, punching, kicking, pushing, choking, or any other physical harm.

  • Emotional or psychological abuse: Insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, manipulation, or controlling behavior.

  • Sexual abuse: Any unwanted sexual activity or coercion.

  • Financial abuse: Controlling someone's money, preventing them from working, or restricting access to financial resources.

  • Digital abuse: Monitoring devices, sending threatening messages, tracking someone's location, or controlling online activities.

Common Signs

  • Fear of a partner or family member

  • Being isolated from friends and family

  • Frequent threats, insults, or put-downs

  • Unexplained injuries

  • Having little control over personal decisions, finances, or daily activities

Important to Know

Domestic violence can affect people of any age, gender, race, culture, or socioeconomic background. It is never the victim's fault.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and is in immediate danger, contact emergency services immediately.

Crossroads Services are Free and Confidential

Crossroads can provide information on warning signs, support resources, or how to help someone experiencing domestic violence.

Crossroads provides 24-hour assistance for victims of domestic violence and their family and friends in Clearfield and Jefferson counties.

Services Provided May Include:

  • 24-hour hotline

  • Safety planning

  • Legal and Medical Advocacy 

  • Emergency shelter

  • Individual options counseling for adults

  • Supportive and educational counseling for friends and family

  • Relocation assistance

  • Domestic violence support groups

  • Children’s supportive counseling and activities

  • Community domestic violence awareness education

  • School dating violence and awareness programs

  • Volunteer training and service opportunities

You Can Help!

  • Make a memorial donation to remember a loved one

  • Volunteer your time and attend volunteer classes

  • Make monetary donations; donate phone cards or grocery gift certificates

  • Sponsor a family for a holiday meal, holiday gifts, or school clothes

  • Contact Crossroads staff to learn more about the many ways you can help

Serving the Following Counties:

Clearfield and Jefferson

Contact Information

Clearfield County
Call: (814) 371-1223

Jefferson County
Call: (814) 938-3580

24-Hour Toll-Free Hotline
1-800-598-3998

Useful Links

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence


Medical Assistance Transportation Program

The Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) provides non-emergency transportation services to Medical Assistance (MA) recipients to MA covered services within MATP's service area and schedule.

This includes transportation services to and/or from a medical facility, physician’s office, dentist’s office, hospital, pharmacy, or purveyor of medical equipment for the purpose of receiving medical treatment, medical evaluation, or purchasing prescription drugs or medical equipment.

An escort may accompany an individual if:

  • The individual is a minor

  • The individual is physically or mentally incapable of traveling alone

  • The individual does not speak English

Transportation services include:

  • Fixed-route public transportation

  • Public transportation

  • Recipient travel reimbursement

  • Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Shared Ride Program

  • Pre-arranged para transit services

Ineligible Services:

  • Ambulance transportation

  • Transportation to the emergency room/QCare/MedExpress

  • Transportation for non-medical services such as grocery shopping

  • Transportation for any service not covered by Medical Assistance

  • Transportation outside MATP's service area, schedule, or applicable closest provider

  • Transportation for trips of 1/4 mile or less

MATP determines which transportation mode is the least expensive and most appropriate available to meet the needs of each consumer.

Any individual whose request for services has been denied, reduced, or terminated will receive written notification and information on their right to request a Fair Hearing from the Department of Human Services.

Community Action, Inc. (CAI) will take reasonable steps to provide timely and meaningful free language access for individuals with limited English proficiency participating in MATP.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be a permanent or temporary Jefferson County resident

  • Be a Medical Assistance recipient

  • Have an MATP eligible Medical Assistance code

  • Apply and be determined eligible for MATP service

  • Need non-emergency transportation service to get to and/or from Medical Assistance covered service

Serving the Following Counties:

Jefferson

Contact Information

Local Phone: (814) 938-3302
Toll-Free: (877) 411-0585
Fax: (814) 618-1017

Address:
Community Action, Inc.
105 Grace Way
Punxsutawney, PA 15767

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Useful Links

matp.pa.gov


Adult Education

The free services offered by Community Action, Inc.'s (CAI's) Career Development Project help adults explore potential careers, consider post-secondary opportunities, increase technology awareness, and develop job-readiness skills.

  • Prepare for a GED or HiSET exam

  • Brush up on reading, writing, and math skills needed to compete in the employment market

  • Provide for English Language Literacy (ELL) on a case-by-case basis through tutoring

  • Post secondary preparation classes

High School Equivalency:

Pennsylvania issues a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma (CSSD) to those who pass either the General Education Diploma (GED) test or the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)

CAI offers high school equivalency preparation classes, which provide students the opportunity to develop skills in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies. The framework within CAI's Career Development classes promotes self-sufficiency within the workforce and community.

Benefits of Getting a High School Equivalency Diploma:

  • Qualify for better careers

  • Increase salary opportunities

  • Prepare for college or trade school

Obtaining Your Diploma/Transcript

If there is a need for a replacement transcript or you have recently passed the GED or the HiSET exam, you will need to create an account through Diploma Sender to order your documents. One copy of your diploma and transcript is provided free of charge. There is a $15 fee for duplicate records.

To register or for more information, please contact the Career Development Project at 814-938-3302, toll-free at 1-800-648-3381, or by email at careerdevelopment@jccap.org.

Serving Individuals:

  • Regardless of income or county of residence

  • Free of charge, all materials and classes are provided at no cost

  • With class opportunities virtually, in-person, and hybrid

  • Interested in volunteering as tutors or classroom aides

Location & Office Hours:

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays. 

In-Person Classrooms:

Are available in Brookville, DuBois, and Punxsutawney with daytime and evening hours.

Contact Information

Phone: (814) 938-3302, ext. 204
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 648-3381
Email: contact@jccap.org

Useful Links

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)
GED®
HiSET®


Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Community Action, Inc. provides free income tax preparation for federal, state, and local tax returns. All Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers receive local training and are required to certify through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) annually. This service is available to Clarion and Jefferson County residents with income less than $67,000 annually.

VITA is always recruiting volunteers to assist as greeters, preparers, and quality reviewers.

For additional Information about VITA, or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact our office.

Serving the Following Counties:

Clarion and Jefferson

Contact Information

Jefferson County Phone: (814) 938-3302, ext. 104
Clarion County Phone: (814) 226-4785, ext. 104
Email: contact@jccap.org

Useful Links

www.irs.gov


Regional Veterans Services

Are You a Veteran in Crisis or Concerned About One?

Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.

Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1.

Text 838255.

Support for deaf and hard of hearing call 1-800-799-4889.

RVS Background

RVS is funded through a U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs grant awarded to the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership who formed a grantee coalition to serve the following counties: Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, Lawrence, and Mercer.

What is RVS?

  • Provides assistance to homeless Veterans and their families, or those at risk of homelessness

  • Uses the “Housing First Model” focused on locating permanent rental housing, then addressing other household needs with referrals to Veteran Affairs and community supports

  • Provides short-term assistance and case management with a long term goal of housing stability and economic independence

Eligibility Requirements

  • Veteran: “A Veteran is a single person or a family in which the head of household, or the spouse of the head of the household, is a Veteran.” Veteran must provide proof through DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.” If you do not have your DD214, we can assist you with requesting a copy.

  • Housing status: Homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness

  • Income: At or below 50% area median income (AMI) based on household size

Serving the Following Counties:

Clarion and Jefferson

Contact Information

Clarion County Phone: (814) 226-4785
Jefferson County Phone: (814) 938-3302
Email: contact@jccap.org

Useful Links

Department of Veterans Affairs
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterens Affairs
The American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars
PA Housing Search
PA Veterans Registry
Veterans Crisis Line
VA Mental and Behavioral Health Services

Locations &

Office Hours

Jefferson County

Grace Way Office

105 Grace Way Punxsutawney, PA 15767

Phone: (814) 938-3302

Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-648-3381

Punxsutawney Shelter

Phone: (814) 938-3580

Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-598-3998

Clearfield County

DuBois Shelter

Phone: (814) 371-1223

Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-598-3998

Clarion County

Clarion Office

22868 Route 68, Suite 1 Clarion, PA 16214

Phone: (814) 226-4785

Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-997-7661