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Thanks in part to the efforts of Congressman John Katko (24th District), Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) will vigilantly continue to identify and address human services needs throughout Oswego County.
Congressman Katko co-signed the Community Services Block Grant that funds a nationwide network of nearly 1,100 Community Action Agencies. These agencies help individuals and families living in poverty to achieve self-sufficiency. As the designated Community Action Agency for Oswego County OCO will benefit directly from the Community Services Block Grant. With the grant providing funding that is discretionary, OCO has the flexibility to invest the funds in the most effective and efficient way to provide services to those in need in Oswego County.
“OCO serves more than 25,000 individuals in programs that are focused on assisting them in achieving long-term independence, said OCO Executive Director Diane Cooper-Currier. “As a result of Congressman Katko’s support for the Community Services Block Grant, OCO will continue to have the unique opportunity to identify local needs and implement local solutions to meet those needs through the use of funds received through the Community Services Block Grant. Among federal and state funding sources, block grants such as these are crucial because they provide needed choice in program allocations. They are the locally driven answer to ‘one-size-fits-all funding.’”
Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Community Services Block Grant provides locally controlled Community Action Agencies such as OCO with funding to help create opportunities for those with the lowest income levels; specifically, programming that is targeted toward people earning no more than 125% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
“I’m proud to support the programming that Oswego County Opportunities provides for individuals and families in Oswego County,” said U.S. Rep John Katko (NY-24). “Through block grants, various agencies are able to do the work that they see is best for our community to combat poverty and help create real change for a healthy, economically stable Central New York.”
OCO is a private, non-profit agency that has been supporting communities throughout Oswego County since 1966. A member agency of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, OCO provides more than 50 vital services throughout 80 separate locations. For more information, visit www.oco.org.
