Read about the latest news from CSO and see our various programs in action on our regularly updated blog.
help approximately 15 million people.
The essence of community action is service and partnership. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the Community Action Network as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty initiative to fight and end poverty across the nation through a network of local, state, and nationally focused organizations.
Community Services Office is a member of the National Community Action Partnership, which is the national hub that links the nation’s 1,000+ local Community Action Agencies and State Associations to each other and to leaders looking for solutions that connect families to greater opportunity.
We are a proud member of the National Community Action Partnership.
Head Start is a federal program promoting school readiness for children from low-income families. It offers comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to children aged birth to five. The program fosters cognitive, social, and emotional development by providing a supportive learning environment.
Head Start also emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher, encouraging family engagement. Services are tailored to each child and family’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage.
Early Head Start is a federal program supporting the development of infants and toddlers from low-income families. It provides comprehensive services, including early education, health, nutrition, and family support, to children from birth to age three and pregnant women. The program aims to enhance children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Early Head Start emphasizes the critical role of parents, offering parenting education and encouraging strong family involvement.
Services are customized to respect each family’s cultural and linguistic background.
We help eligible households avoid service disconnections through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), offering bill payment assistance, crisis intervention, and energy advocacy.
Assistance is available during Winter and Summer programs, with priority given to the most needy. Payments can take up to 30 days, with crisis payments processed within 24 hours.
Applications are accepted during these programs and depend on fund availability.
We provide emergency supplemental food donated by the USDA to vulnerable households in need. The Emergency Food Assistance Program helps low-income households in Hot Springs and Garland County access nutritious foods to combat hunger. Food is distributed at 2228 Albert Pike Road in Hot Springs every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Available items include canned meats, vegetables, fruits, fruit juices, peanut butter, apple sauce, rice, pasta, and soups. To receive food, you must be a resident of Garland County.
In the situation that CSO doesn’t provide a service you are looking for or when we are out of funds, there are other resources to assist those in need in our community.
Our resource page connects you to various nonprofit and public entities that offer a wide range of assistance programs, including health services, housing support, emergency aid, transportation, and more. Click the button below to learn more and access these additional resources available to help meet your needs.
In the situation that CSO doesn’t provide a service you are looking for or when we are out of funds, there are other resources to assist those in need in our community.
Our resource page connects you to various nonprofit and public entities that offer a wide range of assistance programs, including health services, housing support, emergency aid, transportation, and more. Click the button below to learn more and access these additional resources available to help meet your needs.
