History of Community Action in Southern Oklahoma & Our Agency
Most Southeastern Oklahoma Counties started their “War on Poverty" individually in 1965.
- In 1969, ten counties were consolidated into a single entity.
- Indian Nation Community Action Foundation, Inc.
- Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray, and Pontotoc Counties
- The Indian Nation Community Action Agency’s ten counties had a population of approximately 165,000 people and covered approximately 7,000 square miles, the largest in the state of Oklahoma.
- The enormous size created many problems, such as coordination efforts and attempting to generate community support that is so vital to it’s success.
- So on January 31, 1972, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Love, and Pontotoc Counties were incorporated into the Big Five Community Services.
- Indian Nations Community Action covered Atoka, Garvin, Johnston, Marshall, and Murray Counties.
- In 1974, the Indian Nations Community Action was retitled to be INCA Community Services, Inc.
- ???????The name change was due to public confusion about where the program was for Indians only.
- In 1979 Garvin County withdrew and became an independent county.
- Today INCA’s Community Service area is:
- Atoka, Johnston, Marshall, and Murray
- INCA also provides services in the following counties:
- Carter, Bryan, Choctaw, Coal, Garvin, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, and Pushmataha