Opportunities for Otsego

06/01/2026

The HEAP Cooling program closes THIS FRIDAY - June 5th.

The HEAP Cooling Assistance Program opens April 15th, and we’re ready to help keep your home comfortable this summer. 🌬️

If you’re applying, be sure to select as your installation contractor. We’d be happy to assist with your AC installation!

📌 Important details:
• Homeowners must submit their own HEAP application - OFO cannot apply on your behalf
• Applicants must be HEAP-eligible
• A medical need is required for approval
• Households qualify if someone living in the home is over 60 or under 6 years old

Questions? Reach out at 607.433.0444 or [email protected]. We’re here to help every step of the way!

otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/ -assistance

05/29/2026

Grateful for our team. We couldn’t do what we do without these folks right here! 🎉❤️

05/28/2026

May is . 🏠 For domestic violence survivors, having access to safe, affordable housing can save their lives.

Unfortunately, a lack of housing options across the country means that survivors are often faced with impossible choices between abuse and homelessness.

Federal funding supports housing for survivors, but ongoing delays to this funding put survivors in danger. Take action NOW and tell Congress to address these dangerous funding delays: https://buff.ly/OyFNQiN

[Image description: A blue-toned image of small cardboard houses on a wooden surface. Above, white text reads: "Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness." NNEDV logo below text. The NNEDV logo consists of 66 small house shapes arranged in a large house shape, and text reading: "NNEDV National Network to End Domestic Violence."]

05/28/2026

REMINDER: Our offices will only be open until 10AM tomorrow. We will reopen on Monday, June 1st. The VIP and Emergency Housing 24-hour shelters and hotlines will still be available to those in need:
☎️ Emergency Housing - 607.433.8318
☎️ VIP - 607.432.4855

CLOSED: OFO offices will close at 10AM this coming Friday - May 29 - for a staff event. Emergency hotlines and shelters will still be available.
🍉 Emergency Housing/Homeless - 607.433.8318
🍉 Violence Intervention Program - 607.432.4855

05/28/2026

What happens when story time meets farm fun? A memorable day at the Cooperstown Head Start Center! 🐷🦆🐮📚

Volunteers from Fenimore Farm and Country Village visited the Cooperstown Head Start Center to read the beloved children’s book Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Farm by Joy Cowley. The students loved hearing about Mrs. Wishy-Washy and her messy farm animals 🐮🐷🦆 who try to escape bath time and head off to the city, only to realize there’s no place like the farm.

After the story, each child created their own paper plate bathtub and colored and cut out the farm animals so they could retell the story by placing the animals into their pocket “tubs”.

This special visit wrapped up with each child receiving a copy of the book, which has become a classroom favorite! ❤️

This visit is part of the wonderful partnership between Head Start and Fenimore Farm & Country Village, leading up to our annual Farmers’ Day event happening this coming Monday. We can’t wait for another day full of learning, laughter, and farm fun!

05/27/2026

❤️ May is High Blood Pressure Education Month ❤️

Did you know that about 1 in 3 Americans has high blood pressure — and many don’t even know it? High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can affect people of all ages and may lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, if left uncontrolled.

High blood pressure happens when blood flows through the arteries at higher-than-normal pressure levels. Risk factors can include:
👨‍👩‍👧 Family history
🎂 Age
🌎 Race and ethnicity
😟 Stress
🍔 Unhealthy lifestyle habits

A healthy blood pressure is typically less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your numbers are high, talk with your healthcare provider about ways to lower them. Many providers recommend checking your blood pressure regularly at home to help monitor your health.

Heart-healthy habits that may help lower blood pressure include:
🏃 Being more physically active
⚖️ Maintaining a healthy weight
🥗 Following a heart-healthy eating plan like DASH
🚭 Quitting smoking
🧘 Managing stress
😴 Getting 7–9 hours of quality sleep
🩺 Tracking important health numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar

Learning more about high blood pressure is an important first step toward improving your health and reducing your risk for heart disease.

For more information, visit:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure

Questions? Reach out to the WIC office at 607.433.8071 or [email protected] to learn how we can support your health!

05/26/2026

🌻🎨 Tiny artists, BIG creativity!

The children of Morris Head Start proudly showcased their talents at the Morris Central School Academic Fair with stunning, kid-created versions of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers!

Using bright colors, imagination, and lots of creativity, our young learners explored the wonderful world of art while expressing their unique personalities through every brushstroke. 🖌️✨

Their cheerful sunflower masterpieces lit up the fair and reminded everyone how important artistic expression is in early childhood education. We are so proud of their hard work, confidence, and creativity! 🌻💛



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Head Start has immediate openings in their home-based and center-based program! If you or someone you know is pregnant or has a child up to age 5, now is the perfect time to enroll in our free, high-quality early learning and family support programs!
☎ Contact us at 607.433.8055 or [email protected] to reserve your spot.
NEW! Self-screening tool https://form.jotform.com/250166284873059n