It is the stated purpose of the Community Action Organization of Scioto County, Inc. (CAO) to identify and focus all available local, state, private and federal resources upon the goal of enabling low income families and low income individuals of all ages to attain the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to become self-sufficient. In the context of that purpose, the mission of CAO is to serve as a catalyst to make the entire community more responsive to the needs and interests of the poor by mobilizing resources and bringing about greater institutional sensitivity.

To carry out this mission, CAO must work effectively with three significant groups within the community. They are: the poor themselves, the public sector and the private sector.

1. The direct participation of low income persons is essential to strengthen their self help capability. We must insure that community changes and improvements advocated by CAO are relevant and responsive to the needs of the citizens to whom they are addressed.

2. The extent to which CAO can work closely with and obtain the support of state and local public officials is critical to the success of the mission. No community can become adequately responsive to the needs of the poor without the active involvement of its duly elected or appointed officials.

3. The third critical community group is the private sector. CAO must enlist the support and participation of business, labor, religious and civic groups and private providers of social services, health and welfare organizations in order to bring the vast resources of the private sector to bear upon the problem.

CAO strives to develop and implement strategies which appropriately mix advocacy and education, direct provision of services through agency administered programs and coordination of CAO activities with those of all other institutions, agencies and groups serving those in need.