News from the Noteworthy from Opportunities for Otsego
OFO Releases Otsego Co. Needs Assessment
I am excited to announce that the Opportunities for Otsego “2025 Community Needs Assessment for Otsego County” is complete and ready to share!
A community action agency established under President Johnson’s “War on Poverty” initiatives, OFO is a recipient of Community Services Block Grant funding and, as such, is required to complete a comprehensive community needs assessment every three years. The report is a compilation of quantitative data gathered from the most recent census, program data, demographics, and other statistical sources and qualitative information gathered from surveys and community forums to give a clear picture of Otsego County.
In early 2025, our agency sent surveys out to our clients, partners, board of directors, staff and the community at large to weigh in on factors such as transportation, childcare, housing, etc. From the data gathered, OFO held a community forum at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in late April 2025 to discuss the top issues identified from the initial survey. More than 100 people gathered at that event, including nonprofits, businesses, private citizens, consumers of OFO services, faith-based organizations, education professionals, healthcare providers and elected officials. At the forum, OFO facilitated healthy discussion on several key areas identified and focused on solutions to address the challenges and to move the needle to improve our community in ways that were feasible. It was through those conversations that we were able to come up with possible action steps to tackle those challenges.
One of my favorite quotes by Albert Einstein is “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” With the latest available data and input in the report, we now have an opportunity to assess and change to address the current needs of our community. While OFO’s next step is to take the 2025 CNA and use it to develop our agency’s strategic plan for the next three years, that report has many other powerful uses. We also plan and encourage others to use the information to leverage funding through grant opportunities by resourcing the report for statistical data. The good news is that all of that information is now in one place and can be accessed by all. We can address priorities, mobilize resources and maximize partnerships for optimal outcomes. This collective report is also a resource to demonstrate and educate the masses and engage us civically, as we are all stakeholders in our county’s success. The information establishes baseline information, a current snapshot of our community, and enables us to see the trends, develop strategies, and support continued growth and improvement.
Megan Martin, our planning and research director, is instrumental in this recurring assessment and I would be remiss in not thanking her for the time and dedication to its success. It is no small task gathering data from a multitude of sources, building and tracking survey results, planning a large community event, and compiling all the information into one comprehensive report that is clear and concise. We are all benefiting from the fruits of Megan’s labor.
The full OFO “2025 Community Needs Assessment” is available in print version by request and electronically at https://ofoinc.org/application/files/2117/5372/9455/OFO_CNA_2025_FINAL.pdf. While I know it is a large document, the information it contains is invaluable and is broken up into several sections to make it more manageable. The needs assessment highlights our county’s trends, strengths and challenges, demographics, and much more. I know we are all invested in the success of our communities and I hope to have tapped into your curiosity and encourage you to take a peek when you have time!
Tanya Shalor is the chief executive officer of Opportunities for Otsego.
