What is the COPO?
The Community Outreach Program Office (COPO), is a place to serve everyone in our broad and diverse community of tribal and non-tribal residents living in Grand Caillou, Dulac, Petit Caillou, and Chauvin. The COPO is a program provided by the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw. Our goal is to provide access to information and resources to meet the diverse needs of our community, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and supported.
Our Values
We strive to build connections, encourage collaboration, and promote a sense of unity across all groups within our community. By creating a space where people can come together, access assistance, and share knowledge, we hope to empower individuals and strengthen the bonds that hold our community together.
Our Programs
Tribal Services
Tribal Enrollment
The COPO serves as the official Tribal office for processing enrollment applications and issuing Tribal cards. Staff also provide guidance on Tribal benefits and maintain secure records for all enrolled Tribal Citizens.
Cultural Education
The building also provides a space for cultural education, hosting community gatherings, traditional teachings, language preservation, and seasonal celebrations to honor the Tribal history and holidays.
Community Outreach Program Office- Programs
The following programs are available to all community residents within our Tribal jurisdiction. You do not need to be a registered Tribal Citizen to receive services.
Disaster Recovery Program
Provides damage assessments and recovery support after hurricanes and other disasters. Trained team members inspect affected homes and coordinate with trusted contractors to ensure properties are restored to safe, sanitary, and secure conditions. Services include: In-home assessments; Damage documentation; Disaster applications and appeals assistance; Contractor coordination; and when available, Materials and repairs support.
Community Care Connection (CCC)
A direct support program offering basic care for individuals who are unsheltered, elderly, or living with disabilities. Resources provided: Food; Water; and Hygiene kits.
Post-Disaster Relief Distribution
After a disaster, the COPO operates as a recovery supply hub and distribution center, providing emergency supplies to community residents in need after a hurricane. Resources provided: Non-perishable food items; Water; Cleaning supplies; Clothing; and Blankets.
Emergency Connectivity & Charging Station
In the aftermath of a disaster, the building functions as a safe place for: Phone and device charging; Internet access; and Staff support.
Children’s Summer Enrichment Program (Beginning Summer of 2026)
A 6 week program during the summer focused on: Education through play; Cultural arts and crafts; Nature connection; and Storytelling and Tribal/Community history.
Story of the COPO
We purchased a severely damaged community home after Hurricane Ida. The owner had originally bought the home with plans to repair it and retire, but realizing the challenges they decided to sell. They offered it to us in good faith, and with respect, we accepted it. Opportunities like this—deals born of necessity after disasters—are familiar to us. But this one was different; it was genuine and full of potential.
Our vision for the home was simple but meaningful. We wanted to transform it into a community space, a place where our community could access resources and support, especially during times of crisis. But it was more than that. It would also serve as our tribe’s first central office—something we’d never had before. The journey to get our building up and running was far from easy. Despite challenges, we continued to move forward, determined to see our vision become a reality.
With the help of amazing support from the Climigration Network’s Next Step Cohort program, the American Red Cross, Lowlander Center, Freedom Futures, and the First People’s Conservation Council of Louisiana, we secured funding to turn a damaged community home, with its missing walls and half-torn off roof, into a beautiful, functional commercial building. Today, it stands as a place where our tribe gathers for meetings and events, and where our community finds refuge before, during, and after disasters. The building truly became a lifeline after Hurricane Francine. We helped families complete FEMA applications, distribute food, and provided supplies.
Through the COPO, we’re not only creating a valuable resource for our community—we are building strong, lasting relationships with incredible people. Creating the COPO has been a lesson in resilience and the importance of perseverance—for our elders, for our youth, and for the future of our community. It’s been a reminder that when passionate folks come together with a shared purpose, there’s no limit to what can be achieved.