Program areas at OCEAN
Head start includes the head start child development program, which is a comprehensive preschool program for children ages 3-5 years old from disadvantaged families. Eligibility is based on income guidelines from the federal government, as well as the head start centers program, which is a is a comprehensive preschool program for low-income 3-5 year olds that provides services in five major areas: education, health, social services, parent involvement, and special needs. Head start programs not only enhance the growth and development of children, they promote family self-sufficiency and develop community partnerships. O.c.e.a.n.Oceane.a.n., Inc. Currently operates head start programs at six locations throughout Ocean county in brick, berkeley, barnegat, toms river, manchester and the leap delegate center in lakewood.
The community services block grant consists of many programs administered by Ocean, Inc. and its subrecipients and include but are not limited to, substance abuse counseling and treatment, providing affordable housing, food, and scholarships to low-income individuals, stem training in the woodbine school district, provide technological enhancements to low income individuals, providing summer day camps, providing on the job training, providing intensive case management, and providing a senior isolation transportation program.
Weatherization programs include the liheap and usf (low income home energy assistance and universal service fund) - designed to address the needs of cost-burdened, low-income Ocean county residents, unable to afford the added expense of repairing or replacing items in their home that if repaired or replaced, could help them reduce or eliminate high energy bills. Eligibility is based on income guidelines from the federal government. Program services include, energy audits, broken glass repair, weather-stripping and/or caulking of doors/windows, insulating attics and crawlspaces, replacement of doors and windows, skirting mobile homes, hot water heater jackets, furnace repair or replacement, hot water heater repair or replacement.
Other programs include home energy assistance programs, affordable housing, first-time homebuyers, and more.