Westchester Community Opportunity Program Inc.

“The governing body delegated responsibility for the review of the completed Form 990 to the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee reviewed the return to ensure accuracy, completeness and consistency of information reported on the Form 990 and the audited financial statements.”

“Each Board member is required to sign a conflict of interest policy and provide an annual statement regarding any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest. Conflicts are monitored by the Chief Administrative Officer. Should any conflicts arise, the board member has to recuse himself/herself on any matter which is the basis for the conflict.”

“Performance evaluation is done by the Executive Committee of the Board of directors. The Board Chair meets with the CEO to discuss the results of the performance evaluation. The Human Resource department gathers salary data from similarly situated non-profits in the area and provides the same to the Executive Committee. Based upon the CEO's performance and the results of comparability data, compensation is then determined.”

“The agency does not make its governing documents, and conflict of interest policy, available to the public.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Westcops foster grandparent program provides opportunities for low-income senior citizens to volunteer with young people who need extra help in the classroom and the attention of an adult mentor. Foster grandparents must be at least 55 years of age, and receive a tax-free hourly stipend for their service.Foster grandparents help children learn to read and discover math while also assisting classroom teachers with a variety of other activities. There are currently nearly 210 senior working with children in numerous head start centers, pre-schools and elementary schools through our program. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: Westcop offers a variety of programs to help low-income residents gain employment, including training programs, job-readiness and job retention skills. Westcop also facilitates employment opportunities in the local business sector. Several of our employment based programs include the non-custodial parent program, which helps clients obtain and retain employment with intensive case management and training, and the transitional employment program which collaborates with local businesses to hire clients for a 3-month trial period to gain experience and build skills, as well as monthly job fairs, computer training and GED prep classes. Nearly 45 residents were provided training and other employment related supports by Westcop during the 2016 fiscal year. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Other programs - Westcop operates various programs to provide services to the low income communities in Westchester County.Westcop operates an overnight warming center in New Rochelle which provides homeless residents with a light dinner, breakfast, laundry services and toiletries. During extremely cold weather, this site remains open as a 24-hour shelter. During 2016, the site served 538 homeless men and women; there were 19,936 units of service (repeat visitors) for an average of 56 people per night. Westcop also operates a Head Start program at Westhelp Mount Vernon, a permanent housing facility serving homeless families. This one classroom program serves homeless and formerly homeless children ages 3-4, and provides family and child mental health support to families in transition. In addition, we also operate a certified emergency shelter in Tarrytown, which received its designation as a 24 hour disaster relief site by the red cross of Westchester and FEMA after hurricane Katrina and prior to hurricane Sandy.Westcops taxpayer education services program educates low income tax payers about their rights and responsibilities, provides pro-bono assistance in tax disputes with the IRS, and conducts outreach to taxpayers who speak English as a second language (ESL). Westcop also provides seasonal tax preparation assistance for low-income, senior and ESL populations. During the 2016 fiscal year, Westcop assisted 1,000 residents with tax preparation and assistance. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Community Services Block Grant The center of our operations are our neighborhood service centers (CAPS) which advocate for the poor and minorities by helping them identify and access community resources, providing direct services, and increasing self-sufficiency. Westcop operates CAPS in Rockland and Putnam counties, as well as the following Westchester county communities: Eastchester, Greenburgh, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, Tarrytown, and white plains.During FY16, Westcops caps supported nearly 38,100 residents in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland with a variety of services. The CAPS support community level programs for lower income residents across a wide variety of issues, including after-school and summer activities for children, food pantries, employment & training programs, immigration rights, tenant/housing advocacy, bi-lingual/ESL services, health insurance assistance, gently used clothes and furniture, tax assistance, home energy assistance, senior services, financial literacy, and computer/technology training. OTHER P”

“The Finance Committee currently has oversight of the audit, review and compilation of the agency's financial statement and selection of an independent accountant. The agency is in the process of forming an audit committee that will provide oversight of this area in the future.”