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COTS has been recognized for its model practices by the Van Loben Sels Foundation, and has been called “the region’s most influential homeless program” by the Press Democrat. Some of the innovative and unique approaches that distinguish our agency include:
Comprehensive spectrum of services.
In a single agency, COTS provides the full continuum of care for homeless families with children. COTS’ programs include emergency shelter, shared/transitional housing, community kitchen and food delivery to needy families, licensed childcare, job skills training, on-site counseling and referral, on-site housing search services and on-site school district liaison, all within a framework of focused case management.
Integration of emergency shelter and housing programs.
Each family has a single case manager who guides them from the emergency shelter into the faith-based shelter network, and then into our shared/transitional housing. This ensures continuity of service and strengthens the relationship between the case manager and client family.
Business rigor with a nonprofit heart.
The nonprofit mission of COTS is implemented with businesslike rigor because of the professional experience of the COTS team. Prior work experience of COTS staff includes fiscal management in a Fortune 500 company, corporate and real estate law, corporate training and communications, and general administration in tech companies. COTS staff also includes formerly homeless individuals, providing a unique balance of empathy and inspiration for our clients.
Continuity of management and experience.
COTS’ four senior managers have an aggregate of 40 years with COTS.
Program evaluation, development and training.
COTS recently received funding for a two-year project to systematically evaluate and improve all our programs, strengthen our outcomes-based approach to service and to export these findings to other agencies.
Job skills internship pilot program.
This program provides temporary full-time work in the local high tech industry to motivated clients and pairs them with a mentor within the company. The mentor helps the client develop life and professional skills on the job. The program recently graduated its first participant, a COTS resident who is now employed as a skilled full-time administrative assistant with comprehensive employee benefits for herself and her family.
The Children’s Haven.
COTS was the first homeless services agency in the region to offer on-site, licensed daycare. The Haven is integrated with our other programs, and while taking care of the children, enables their parents to find housing and work.
MSW On-staff.
On-site counseling and referral by a highly-experienced and well-trained social worker increases provides easy access to much-needed help.
Housing Specialist On-staff.
Intensive housing search, application assistance, interview coaching and follow-up services provide a better chance to succeed in our very competitive housing market.
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