The South Central Community Action Program is helping people help themselves.

Our existence began because….."It is the policy of the United States to eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this Nation by opening to everyone the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity." So reads part of the Economic Opportunity Act, of August 20, 1964, which was the beginning of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty, and set in motion the establishment of a national network of community based organizations called Community Action Agencies that were charged with waging an unconditional war on poverty. On May 6, 1965, South Central Community Action Program, Inc., began its fight against poverty, and adopted its mission to provide opportunities for low-income citizens to move toward personal and economic independence.

The South Central Community Action Program, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation governed by a 21-member Board of Directors, which provides services to the low-income residents living in Monroe, Morgan, Owen, and Brown Counties. It is our belief that South Central Community Action Program, Inc. serves as an advocate, guide, and leader in providing opportunities for the low-income population to obtain services that will help them in becoming self-sufficient. We do this by offering services to income eligible households throughout our four-county service area. The first program established in 1965 was the Monroe County Head Start, which still operates today. Many programs over the last 39 years have been developed by South Central Community Action Program, Inc., and later spun-off to operate independently or by another service provider. In addition to the Monroe County Head Start Program, we presently provide services through the operation of the Weatherization Program, Housing Development Program, Energy Assistance Program, Section 8 Housing & CAP Rental Program, and the Self-Sufficiency Program.

All of the programs operated by South Central Community Action Program, Inc., are funded by local, state, federal or private contracts. Eligibility for service is based on total household income using income guidelines established by the federal Office Management Budget. There are no fees for services. South Central Community Action Program, Inc. employs a highly qualified staff of over 85 people who work diligently with clients to assist them in obtaining the services they need.

South Central Community Action Program, Inc. maintains an office in each of the four-counties we serve. Monroe County houses the main office in Bloomington, Indiana at 1500 W. 15th Street. The Morgan County Office is located at 607 Morton Ave. in Martinsville, Indiana. The Owen County Office is located at 751 E. Franklin Street, in Spencer, Indiana, and the Brown County Office is located at 5075 St. Rd. 135N, in Bean Blossom, Indiana. Each county operate programs unique to the population they serve. Please take the time to visit each program and county site while visiting our web page to learn more about our services. For more detailed information about your local Community Action Office you may call the following county office:

§ Monroe County residents call 812/339-3447
§ Morgan County residents call 765/342-1518
§ Owen County residents call 812/829-2279
§ Brown County residents call 812/988-6636