COTS provides a continuum of care for each of our shelter guests and housing residents. This means that COTS´ programs (Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing) are designed to address each individual´s needs and circumstances and support them in moving along a continuum from homelessness to housing and stability. COTS links each client to resources provided by COTS and within the larger community to assist them in breaking the cycle of homelessness.

Case Management: Case Planners provide individualized case management services for each of our shelter guests and families. Each person entering COTS Emergency Shelter or housing programs meets first with a Case Planner. The Case Planner helps individuals faced with the trauma of homelessness address their immediate needs, and then begin to take the steps that will lead to productive lives, and they continue to provide support and encouragement along the way. Through COTS´ Family Stabilization Program, families leaving the Emergency Shelter for permanent housing receive ongoing follow-up and case management services for up to one year, and can utilize supportive services such as COTS´ Child Care Centers or Education and Employment Center for up to one year, free of charge.

Bright Beginnings Child Development Center
Two licensed child care centers provide quality care for the children of our shelter guests and transitional housing residents so that they can work, seek housing or employment, attend school or take other steps to rebuild their lives, knowing that their children are safe and well cared for. The goal of our Child Care Centers is to help homeless children develop cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills at a rate equal to that of children who are not homeless. COTS provides a wide array of educational, cultural and recreational activities for our children, including Homework Club, an annual Back-To-School Summer Fest, summer day camps, holiday and birthday parties, and field trips such as Tiger baseball games at Comerica Park and theater outings to the Fox Theater. Many of these opportunities are provided thanks to the generosity and assistance of our donors and volunteers. At the same time, our program provides support for high-risk mothers including workshops on parenting, child health and nutrition, coping and self esteem.

COTS´ Education & Employment Center: : COTS´ Education Center provides literacy assessment and instruction for COTS shelter guests. Through the generosity of the IBM Corporation, a computer lab with educational software is available for individualized study in reading and math skill building and the development of computer skills. Other educational services include tutoring, referrals for Adult Basic Education (ABE) and GED classes. COTS also supports family literacy through Homework Club, tutoring and other after school programs for school age children in COTS´ Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing Programs. Wayne State University Students facilitate the tutoring, which is also extended to adult college students. Employment services include job readiness and career workshops, resume preparation, peer counseling, educational and employment counseling, job development, job placement and job retention services. COTS places individuals in over 4,000 full and part-time jobs each year, including COTS shelter guests and housing residents and individuals referred by other agencies. COTS´ Employment Center personnel work with employees and employers to support our clients in retaining employment and increasing earning power.

Substance Abuse Relapse Prevention Services: COTS shelter guests and housing residents are required to remain drug and alcohol free. The need for substance abuse services is identified through intake procedures and assessments conducted by our Relapse Prevention Specialists who support our shelter guests and housing residents in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. Relapse prevention services include individual and group counseling, participation in AA and NA meetings, and referrals to outside treatment programs.

Financial Literacy & Individual Development Accounts (IDA): COTS provides credit counseling and financial management education to women enrolled in COTSī transitional housing programs as a means to eventual economic self-sufficiency. Money Smart classes are provided to all who are enrolled in our emergency shelter, Transitional Services Programs and to all residents in permanent housing .Consumers participate in a 9-week financial literacy course, develop a personal budget, debt management and savings plan along with credit repair.

Emergency Shelter: The emergency shelter was designed to provide housing for those in crisis who needed a respite and place to reorganize their life situation. There are a total of 140 beds for men, women and children. Case planners are assigned to every guest to ensure that their needs are being met as well as to address the issues that brought them into the shelter. Family workers assist with school registration and transportation and obtaining housing. Outreach is provided up to twelve months after families have been discharged make certain that housing is maintained.

Transitional Service: The Transitional Services Program (TSP) is designed to be a bridge between those needing emergency shelter and those who need permanent housing. The TSP is a housing program allowing residents to remain up to twenty-four months in one of our three TSP sites. The site at 26 Peterboro has fifty-seven (57) single room occupancy units for single men and women. Participants pay 10% of their income toward rent. A key deposit is also required.

Domestic Violence Transitional Services Program: Families entering the Transitional Services Program have an 18 to 24 month stay. Families are supported while learning to live independently and violence free. Families are provided with subsidized independent housing, individual and group support, educational, job training and life skills services and support, family life education sessions, transportation assistance, legal services referrals, individual and family counseling referrals, ongoing support and assistance to meet daily needs.

Peggy's Place: is located at 16630 at Wyoming and has housing for 8 single women and 11 families for a total of 23 units. Case planners are assigned to each participant with the proviso that the final goal is the self-sufficiency. Life skills along with parenting sessions, relapse prevention and Money Smart classes This is a community living environment with shared kitchenettes and bathrooms. Participants pay 10% of their income and a service fee for rent. A key deposit is also required.

COTS on the Boulevard: Is a seven-unit apartment building for which residents are expected to exhibit independent living skills by paying utilities, cooking meals, and overall showing that they are readying for permanent housing. In addition all residents are assigned a case planner to assist with getting their needs met.

Permanent Supportive Housing: Buersmeyer Manor : Completed in 2004, our permanent supportive housing facility, Buersmeyer Manor, is a beautiful gated community providing housing and supportive services for 35 families and individuals, including those with mental and physical disabilities

Shelter Plus Care: Sixty-six scattered sites of housing are provided for the homeless mentally ill, developmentally disabled, HIV/AIDS, and those with a history of substance abuse. Supportive services accompany this program by means of in-home visits and property management. Life skills and case management are also supplied.

Omega Project: A collaboration between Development Centers, Inc. (DCI) and COTS; 30 scattered sites of permanent housing is made available for the chronically mentally ill. COTS is responsible for the housing and the maintenance of such. DCI 's Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team is going into the home 3-4 times per week to assist in maintaining stability for the consumer.

PATH: PATH is the outreach program that connects with mentally ill street population that is often viewed sleeping under bridges, viaducts and on church steps.

Long Term Program: COTS Long-term program is 23 single room occupancy units at the 26 Peterboro location for the mentally and physically challenged who are eligible for SSI. Case management along with an array of services is supplied.

MPRI: Under an agreement with the Michigan Department of Corrections, COTS provides case coordination, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, support services, transportation and meals to male returning offenders under the Michigan Prisoner ReEntry Initiative in Wayne County, Michigan. The goal of our proposed program is for MPRI returning offenders to attain and maintain housing stability.

Each returning offender participates in the development of a housing plan that outlines housing type and supportive services to be received. A Case Planner follows each returning offender through our various housing programs: emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing or permanent housing placement. Additionally Direct Care Worker assists with the coordination of services, overseeing outside referrals, ensuring safety, and accessing peer and community-based support groups.

HomeGain Housing First: COTS has developed the HomeGain Housing First for Families Project. This project, recently funded with $1m from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), will provide 47 homeless families with rental subsidies for up to a two year period. Housing will be subsidized for all families by the difference between 30% of their adjusted gross income and the fair housing market rate for their particular housing unit.