Services

Case Management

Each client in our shelter and housing programs is paired with a skilled Care Manager who helps them to identify their strengths and strategize to erode barriers to obtaining or maintaining permanent housing. Care managers, together with their clients, create Individual Care Plans (focused on Physical health, Mental Health, and Substance Use), and Housing Support Plans (focused on barriers to housing and housing goals). Case management is a vital aspect of COTS’ programming, and all clients are encouraged to participate.

Mary’s Table

COTS provides an average of 8,000 healthy meals per month to anyone experiencing hunger or lack of resources. Lunch and dinner are open to the community and are offered seven days a week, with no questions asked. Lunch is from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, and dinner is from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

At COTS, we believe that good nutrition is a human right. By serving our clients and neighbors the best possible meals, we allow them to focus on building resilience, nourishing their families, and achieving their goals for long-term stability and housing. Generous funding from a grant partner has increased and improved the quality of our food services by allowing us to procure and use more fresh vegetables and fruits, including organic options whenever possible. We offer vegetarian meals twice weekly at either lunch or dinner, and all meals feature fresh and healthy offerings.

If you need long-term support with food, we encourage you to contact the Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sonoma County 211, or your healthcare provider.

Healthcare & Wellness

Petaluma Health Center has an onsite clinic located at the Mary Isaak Center, accessible to COTS’ residents and the unsheltered community. We currently have Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and NP Residents onsite Monday through Thursday for a variety of hours. These PHC staff members can triage acute health issues, administer TB tests, help with system navigation, check insurance, make appointments, send messages to providers, refer to Whole Person Care, and more.

Client Enrichment Services

COTS clients have access to supportive services provided by our Client Enrichment Manager and a team of volunteers and community partners. Client Enrichment Services include resume assistance, mock interviews, credit counseling and repair, technology assistance, support with housing search, and creation of rental portfolios. In addition, COTS has partnerships with Legal Aid and Job Link for onsite assistance at our Mary Isaak Center.

Social Supports

COTS is pleased to offer the services of our Social Supports Manager to residents in the Mary Isaak Center Emergency Shelter, Kids First Family Shelter, and Integrity Housing programs. Social Supports include mental health and life skills trainings, offered in both group and individual sessions. Offerings could include active listening, compassionate communication, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), anger management, parenting, conflict resolution, movement, journaling, and FUN!

Pathways Recovery Offerings

Pathways recovery offerings include daily recovery groups at the Mary Isaak Center, shelter beds reserved for those who are committed to sobriety, and Integrity Housing units dedicated to sober living.

Redwood Empire Food Bank

Anyone in need of food can contact Food Connections at the Redwood Empire Food Bank. The Food Connections team also helps individuals and families navigate the CalFresh application process, provides free emergency food boxes, and offers information about hunger-relief programs. Visit their website here to find food near you (no ID required):  https://refb.org/our-work/programs/get-food/

Sonoma County Job Link is a resource for both job seekers who want to be more competitive and local business partners looking to hire qualified candidates. Our bilingual Resource Navigators and Career Counselors can assist job seekers with their resumes, cover letters, and interviewing skills. They also assist with skills assessments and exploring careers that match job seekers interests and skills. In addition, job seekers can find out if they are eligible for paid On-The-Job training, which is a win-win for employers and employees. Call today at 707-565-5550 or visit www.SonomaWib.org

Legal Aid of Sonoma County partners with COTS to offer legal services to our clients at no cost. They provide assistance to COTS clients in the following areas:

• • Expungements and other criminal record issues, such as reducing “wobbler” felonies to misdemeanors
  • Some family law issues
  • Challenging denials or reductions in public benefits
  • When possible, clearing past evictions
  • Issues with vouchers and other subsidized housing
  • Consumer debt issues
  • Housing discrimination
  • Eviction notices

Our partnering Legal Aid representative is onsite at the Mary Isaak Center weekly to assist our clients; we are so grateful for their presence!