OACAC and Discovery Center of Springfield collaborating to provide $315,250 in educational scholarships to 140 children in the Ozarks

For Immediate Release

(December 17, 2020) Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) and Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS) are excited to announce a collaborative partnership supporting quality, award-winning STEM education for children in low-income families through hands-on, seated models. The Missouri Department of Social Services is providing $315,250 of federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“This is incredibly exciting news for the families we’re hearing from that are so desperate for help. We know that there are kids that urgently need our help, and thanks to OACAC, they are going to get more than just caught up—they are going to get transformative educational experiences through our science center’s education department,” said Rob Blevins, DCS Executive Director. “When we change a child’s world, we change our world, too, and OACAC is a tremendous community asset when it comes to changing the trajectory of our children.”

OACAC’s longstanding history of programs addressing poverty relief coupled with the award of CARES Act Community Services Block Grant Supplemental funding, provided opportunities to expand services for low-income individuals and families affected by COVID-19.

“OACAC is elated to partner with the Discovery Center of Springfield to bring this educational programming to children in our community. Our staff understand the positive impact these kind of educational opportunities can make in a family’s life.  We are excited for this innovative partnership to begin and are ready to support the families we serve,” said Jennifer Olson, CSBG Director.

Following a successful 100,000+ hours of providing COVID care, the Discovery Center of Springfield launched educational offerings to meet the needs of families in the Ozarks, serving ages three through grade 12 in a myriad of ways. The partnership between OACAC and DCS offers scholarships for Discovery School, Science Sprouts Discovery School, Tutoring, and Five-Day Virtual Support Care. Scholarships and classroom openings are available beginning January 4, 2021 for the 10-county region OACAC serves.

Interested participants can find more information at https://www.discoverycenter.org/oacac/. Income eligibility required.

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Contacts

At OACAC: Lindsey Dumas-Bell, ldumas-bell@oac.ac, (417) 873-3375

At Discovery Center: Rob Blevins, rblevins@discoverycenter.org, (417) 827-0667