Is C.O.C.O. for You?

Introduction 

COCO is a private, non-profit organization that serves persons with developmental disabilities.  COCO has been in business as a corporation since 1978. The agency's primary mission is to provide vocational and social opportunities in integrated community settings. COCO serves over 50 participants by providing Individual Job Placements, Group Supported Employment, Day Support, Community Experience, Situational Assessments and Vocational Exploration.

Description of Services

  COCO will provide you with the opportunity to explore real work and social experiences in the community under the guidance of a trained staff person. This vocational exploration will provide pertinent information regarding your vocational and social strengths, needs, interests, and performance.   You will ultimately participate in a supported group setting of your choice either vocational, community experience, or a combination of both.

  Your program schedule at COCO would be Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM.  This includes the time that you would need to eat lunch.  If you are working, then lunch would be a ½ hour unpaid period of time.

  Initially, you would be offered the opportunity to participate along with different groups that are doing tasks and activities in your areas of interest.  Based upon your performance and preferences while participating with these groups, an individual program plan would be developed for you.  This plan will allow for you to participate in the tasks and activities you most enjoy. 

Some of the activities you may participate in are:

  COCO’s White Paper Recycling Crew-Traveling to area businesses (approximately 30), gathering white office paper, returning the paper to the special dumpster belonging to COCO .

  COCO Can Recycling -Traveling to local businesses to gather empty soda cans that the businesses donate to COCO , and then taking the cans to the redemption center.

Country Manor- Going to a local nursing home (Country Manor) and participating in a group recreational activity (usually a card game) with the residents there.

Delivery of Meals on Wheels - An opportunity for you to give back to the community by bringing meals to those in need.

Community Experience -This component offers a variety of community activities, which promote development in the areas of money awareness, social skills, safety awareness, and recreation skills.

Janitorial Services - COCO operates a janitorial crew that clean local businesses in our community.  The crew works second shift every evening, Monday through Friday.

McKesson General Medical employs seven workers from COCO to perform a variety of tasks there.  These tasks include cleaning of medical equipment transport bins and recycling of white paper.

Tommy Tape in Southington employs five workers from COCO to perform light machine operation, packaging, and assembly.  Tommy Tape also provides work that our subcontract crew performs right within our own premises.

COCO operates a Food Service Training program in our facility.  Here the cooks and chefs plan, budget, shop, prepare, and serve a meal each week.  During the crew’s spare time (Monday & Friday mornings) the group volunteers at Country Manor.

COCO ’s In-House Subcontract Crew was designed as a pre-employment opportunity so that some of the individuals served could participate in a paid work experience though they may not yet be ready or desiring of work in a community based setting.

Our Landscaping Crew goes to area commercial and residential facilities perform a variety of landscaping work.

New Program

COCO ’s Opportunities for Older Adults (OOA) program officially began July 1st 2004. This group of older individuals participates in “Senior-Related” activities such as joining the local senior centers for programs, concerts, picnics, and other events.

COCO will:

1.      Prior to beginning to serve you, an agency representative will meet with you, your family and Case Manager to explain the service in detail. 

2.      The agency representative will seek information as to your likes, dislikes, needs, and desires.

3.      If you chose a work option, COCO will issue a paycheck for all hours worked every other Thursday, with all necessary withholdings deducted.

4.      The agency representative will keep track of your productivity and any goals you would like to accomplish.

5.      The agency representative will keep track of your attendance.

6.      A representative from DMR or your parents may visit the program to view your progress. Depending upon which location you choose, an advanced phone call may be necessary to arrange an appointment.

COCO ’s intent would be to slowly transition you into our program over a period of time that you would find comfortable. Initially, COCO staff will visit you at your school or current day program and introduce themselves. After that initial visit, you are welcome to come to the COCO facility for a short visit. When you are ready, you would come to the COCO facility and participate in the program for one or more days each week. After that, you can continue to come to COCO as many days as you choose.

Eventually, COCO would like you to be comfortable enough to begin program full time. 

Transportation:

COCO may be able to provide transportation to and from home each day.  During inclement weather, COCO typically mirrors the local school systems.

Costs:

Costs for services vary upon each person’s individual needs.  Prior to coming to COCO , and agency representative will sit down with you, your family, and your Case Manager to determine an appropriate plan with associated costs for you.