Our Agency

Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. (COI)  is a Community Action Agency (CAA) that was created in 1965 and designated as the county’s Community Action Agency. CAA’s are non-profit private and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America’s war on poverty. There are over 1,000 CAA’s nationwide and 47 in NY State. These agencies help people to help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency. Community Action Agencies are federally designated as the frontline resource for people living in poverty, providing direct services and support for education, employment, and family support services for low-income families.  CAA’s are recipients of Community Services Block Grant funds and are required to comply with a set of national standards.

COI incorporates a customer-driven, strength-based, outcome-focused holistic anti-poverty approach that assists customers in progressing toward economic security on a scale that ranges from “Crisis” to “Thriving”. Progress is measured using Family Development Matrices and Continuums that are based on the ROMA (Results Orientated Management Accountability) anti-poverty framework. Long-term financial education is provided by staff members that are trained and certified in financial social work, the goal of which is to empower individuals to make sound, financial decisions that will lead to economic security and the accumulation of wealth.

COI, like CAA’s nationwide, understands that to improve our communities, we must engage and be part of the community.  We do this through inter-agency collaborations and community partnerships.

COI is committed to improving the community we live in by serving the diverse population of customers who reside in our county.  All community members eligible for our programs are encouraged to apply for assistance in becoming self-sufficient.

Features:

• COI currently works with customers in the areas of: housing, health, child care, child and youth development, financial literacy, and small business development.
• All Customers enter through a centralized intake system that creates a centralized electronic file and identifies all services for which the customer may be eligible.
• A Family Development Plan is developed with the customer that includes long and short term goals. This plan follows the customer through services and is continually reinforced and updated. This allows for longitudinal tracking of customer progress.
• All services within the organization are integrated and focus on asset development from a cognitive behavior model.
• Case management is centralized and is focused on life coaching.
• Centralized life skills provide customized peer support groups focused on life changes that emphasize behavioral modification and support, delayed gratification, planned decision making, and building natural supports with the community.
• COI’s Family Development Matrix and Continuums have been validated as reliable measurement tools by the University of Buffalo Center for Social Work Research.

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The Community Action Code of Ethics is the basis of COI’s dedication to serving our community.

Our Vision

Empowering individuals and families, while building and transforming communities, to achieve social and economic success.

Our Mission

COI…

…leading the fight against poverty by mobilizing resources and creating partnerships to promote empowerment, economic independence and opportunities.

Helping People… Changing Lives

CODI…

…leading the fight against poverty by mobilizing resources and creating partnerships to promote and create economic independence through business development opportunities.

Helping Businesses… Creating Opportunities