[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6167709,"mediaKeyId","5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250","parentId",5410251,"title","Committee approves contingent fund adjustment for temporary shelter start‑up; officials say operating certificate will change reimbursement rules","audioSeconds",170,"startMs",3659000,"endMs",3829000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250&start=3659&end=3829","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250/thumbnail_3659000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167709/Tompkins-County/New-York/Committee-approves-contingent-fund-adjustment-for-temporary-shelter-startup-officials-say-operating-certificate-will-change-reimbursement-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167709-a105160696bf29d6a734cba6fb6b3465/orig.mp4?Expires=1770639360&Signature=e-FydugnUhcljXxcWXFdoxPTNxntXM2JE9z7Rku7MfWhF8apzlRkYitRmq1iZfdOJ6Jd8VnxPeynbCmnh26l5XNX9p9qa-u-LO-ClxoWSzUzXttKDUBleuzGTRp-SnDSkga-AK38i-xfH3N8K6N2tdHXuHavXlPzU4YDlwIa4UyrQdLei-59GnCW2ttbbyLQnH-9cVtQ2ft-GKrSID4Lx~8EUc-UC5CE2kKAJDh6hFvPoX38boiogZyAEz6tzYKSQC59jt9Dpn~zA28KNyayTC-vFbtmkUWtoixcCOZz56RGgV5~gxGYd5kNHKD3rqWWVhusGdN60kHrWLVQVpPY9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tompkins County, NY","date","2025-07-17T06:28:51Z","article","The Health and Human Services Committee approved a contingent fund appropriation on July 16 to cover start‑up and security expenses related to the county’s temporary housing assistance (THA) shelter site.

A county staff member explained that the site—a rented hotel—required a prolonged start‑up period while staff were hired, equipment moved in and OTDA (New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance) conducted site reviews. “It takes a while when you've got a brand new program and you're trying to move all the equipment in there… it typically takes between six months and a year for an organization to get that operating certificate,” the staff member said. Because the shelter was operating before receiving an operating certificate, some early start‑up costs are not currently reimbursable.

County finance staff on the call said the safety‑net portion of eligible shelter costs is reimbursable at 29 percent; the local share is the remainder. The finance staff added that once OTDA grants an operating certificate the program will have an operating budget and a larger share of ongoing costs will be eligible for standard reimbursement. “The majority of the cost… is because the building was unoccupied,” the staff member said, explaining why some expenses could not yet be submitted for reimbursement.

During review of the resolution, committee members identified an arithmetic discrepancy in the draft and asked staff to correct it. The committee agreed on a friendly amendment to explicitly reference both the contingent fund and the mandate contingent fund in the resolve statement and to correct the line‑item totals; the chair instructed staff to update the modified figures. The committee then voted; roll call recorded four yes votes and the motion passed.

Why it matters: the county is operating an emergency shelter program while awaiting state certification that will determine how much of the program’s operating costs are reimbursable. Start‑up and security expenses incurred before certification currently fall to the county until the operating certificate and cost‑per‑room reimbursements take effect.

Committee direction and next steps: staff will revise the resolution to correct the arithmetic and reflect the amended contingent fund language; ongoing operating costs will be rolled into future budget and reimbursement processes once the site receives OTDA certification.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tompkins County Health and Human Services Committee - July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The legislature approved a contingent fund appropriation on July 16 to cover start‑up and security costs at a temporary shelter site the county has operated while seeking a state operating certificate.","taxTitle","Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52737,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167713,"Legislature approves $25,000 OCFS grant to support foster and guardianship placements",177,3371000,3548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250&start=3371&end=3548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250/thumbnail_3371000.jpg","/articles/6167713/Tompkins-County/New-York/Legislature-approves-25000-OCFS-grant-to-support-foster-and-guardianship-placements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167713-9ad6a1c0bf66f97aac37945d1fd6553d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770639360&Signature=CYZAeKuUiFBbRxeLvmmHCzf5WFiPI6o-ocDnRtaM4jIP3AmadPG18tFfsj4q1rl76koJcHGw1QpDoVgrsXB-vAlYFPEYmLXkU9dREBKtxyfCF5ITDlDConYcQBqWuElF-EXPtgDGU5BDVtS4tderRIa8U0~Ug-MnVNemK-HcJ8Km3FCNp7E8GFy~5q1fXJbDF-Acq2h7n4192xLzSE745BExfulDTGejSw6058nz2~nnQMlum-MknoS3N78rIpuKdPkLqJtSBwhObE17gODAJcSZuWcdyR8NOi8Ej1VcZlwLB5BbLhhd0LOAnEnH-RDPlgFoaGMGu5C2SznePyMWeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Health and Human Services Committee voted July 16 to accept a $25,000 grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to support foster care and legal guardianship placements.

“This is really good news. We’re getting $25,000 from OCFS,” said Kit Kephart, the county Department of Social Services commissioner, describing the funds as intended to support recruitment of foster parents and to help prospective foster homes meet safety requirements such as additional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors or safe‑sleep equipment.

Kephart said the funds are fully available with no local match requirement and will be used for recruitment, training listings and one‑time home safety expenses that can be barriers for prospective foster parents. The committee voted to accept the funds; roll call recorded four yes votes (Brandy/Brandy proxy, Shauna, Amanda and the chair), and the motion passed.

Why it matters: local child welfare staffing and placement capacity increasingly rely on kinship and foster placements. Small, targeted grants for recruitment and home readiness can remove practical barriers for families that want to care for children but lack immediate resources.

Committee direction: DSS staff will accept and administer the OCFS grant and incorporate the funds into recruitment and placement support activity.","The committee approved a $25,000 grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to support foster and legal guardianship placements, focusing on recruitment and meeting home-safety requirements for kinship foster care.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167717,"County Office for the Aging outlines services, caregiver resources and funding mix as it marks 50 years",2941,485000,3426000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250&start=485&end=3426","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250/thumbnail_485000.jpg","/articles/6167717/Tompkins-County/New-York/County-Office-for-the-Aging-outlines-services-caregiver-resources-and-funding-mix-as-it-marks-50-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167717-78952db1d0d3b02599b455cf8a31f547/orig.mp4?Expires=1770639360&Signature=IFkPzz5SoRN0xk6XQvk4cLQu36N88rphxaZyFzQR~9naLmzez4rZX7RGFYQj~xZTqTVF73558bTmU9wJik5Gbvbk1SJDP3CVBCTIecOOY5-x0EAqUqlKEwibuO7TDRYv72dp4Yk6uASZoRs19MgrzNd2nXTyic~H~SroOZ2uHmsLQd0nirFsN3BdQ6EifKuI7DDd9ryftx26q2-EaiCN-sv3D~Nv6O5jHfCFDh4UEoj7b--h3LVG3GB58laE6-NflbzaSDZeoyU0CxbOhYz5LA2aESz~1dKfFGylfgRrQOob4InST7ida4ldVcMF6tGkZEI1P0tNdGJgEwe8vQYJlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A county representative for the Office for the Aging told the Health and Human Services Committee on July 16 that the office provides 32 programs through a mix of federal, state and local funding, and highlighted the agency’s caregiver resource center and Alzheimer’s support services.

The presentation, given by an Office for the Aging representative and Amy Jackson, the aging service specialist and caregiver coordinator, mapped how Older Americans Act and state funding flows through area agencies into local contracts. “It’s really a network of aging service providers,” the representative said, describing the agency’s mix of 26 contracts with 11 subcontractors and 22 distinct funding streams, including nine federal, nine state, three local and one private grant.

The office uses the funds for core services including nutrition, supportive services, caregiver support, health and wellness and elder rights. Jackson described the caregiver resource center as a single point of assistance for family caregivers, offering individualized counseling, a caregiver lending library, a quarterly newsletter, virtual and in-person support groups, monthly workshops, and caregiver packets with practical tools. “If you’re not supporting the caregivers, they can’t provide that quality care to their care receivers,” Jackson said.

The committee heard details about eligibility and limits. The national Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), administered locally, serves adult family or informal caregivers age 18 and older who provide care to people 60 and older, caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease-related disorders, and certain relatives age 55 and older who care for children under 18. Jackson said funds for grandparents raising grandchildren are limited locally (about $36,000 annually) and that the county supplements the federal NFCSP with roughly $20,000 from New York State to expand services.

Committee members asked about respite and fee-for-care programs. Jackson said the county’s respite funding supports about five caregivers at a time for roughly two hours per week; the program is intentionally limited by available funds. On paid family caregiving options, Jackson noted programs such as CDPAP exist but have eligibility nuances: some family members can be paid under specific circumstances, but spouses and certain legal proxies are disqualified.

The presentation included program specifics: the office runs the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (distributing more than 1,500 coupons this season), a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) program, transportation tickets (historically up to 10 per year), case management and in‑home personal care, and partnerships with community agencies including Lifelong, Finger Lakes Independent Center, Home Instead and others. The office also mentioned a transportation pilot with GoGo Grandparents, and offered Medicare counseling via Health Insurance Information Counseling programs and Open Enrollment assistance (Oct. 15–Dec. 7).

Committee members raised practical access issues, including parking and wayfinding at the office’s State Street location; the office said it has two designated handicap parking spaces and maintains parking scratch-off tickets for clients who prefer them. The presenter also said the office will mark its 50th anniversary with an in-person event; the state Office for the Aging will join by Zoom and a proclamation will be delivered to the county legislature on Aug. 5.

Why it matters: the Office for the Aging administers a wide range of programs that affect older adults’ ability to remain at home, and the committee used the presentation to clarify eligibility, capacity and funding limits for caregiver supports and respite services.

Committee direction and next steps: staff were asked to provide contact paths for constituents seeking HEAP or other benefits and to share more details about parking access and outreach. The office asked committee members and community organizations to help publicize programs and the upcoming anniversary event.

The county representative and Jackson provided program literature and contact information at the meeting for residents seeking assistance.","A county Office for the Aging presentation to the Health & Human Services Committee reviewed the agency’s programs, funding mix and caregiver services, including a caregiver resource center and a limited respite program that supports about five caregivers weekly for two hours each.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167699,"Human Services Coalition wins $200,000 planning grant; coalition urges prompt state contracting reforms",255,4643000,4898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250&start=4643&end=4898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250/thumbnail_4643000.jpg","/articles/6167699/Tompkins-County/New-York/Human-Services-Coalition-wins-200000-planning-grant-coalition-urges-prompt-state-contracting-reforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167699-721e75c5782790d26ca521593b75dae5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770639360&Signature=BvFyyT68e2NYIDL7myupROy9kDn8AAglVnyUL5K2vpK4Ogqz-ClCJTA-qTn6iF9zr2ppA3arUD4ASudPmkoY568-EhcOQ00b7m3CrWq9y8ob~T4FD3C9J2k8HGu7j8t40UBM8v3kiGP4Q6p18AGCnbo3G1HMcJWQYCv3ne5E4e1FaOxZnhwIfhKXoK1yBFBBDoDkgqg5Cjm6qJv9iDXjPnfQUD84ZMn5hnONqycmN9Aojy7F6mgNOJc9aZKaY1EGwK0K1eAMXQawF6HSz55UOQieyjX25Nva8FUsZldGHtXeQ~IJ2OZY4dDQXu3psGTCW~X7BMpDIo0M4tLYkYvCBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Services Coalition (HSC) told the Health and Human Services Committee on July 16 that it received a two‑year, $200,000 planning and capacity‑building grant to strengthen collaboration among community organizations on food, housing and transportation.

Cindy (HSC) said the grant is intended to help community partners design coordinated approaches to safety‑net needs at a time when federal changes and budget uncertainty are raising demand. “It really gives us a lot of opportunity to think differently about how we work together, from health and human services' perspective,” Cindy said, adding that the coalition is already engaging local partners, including county departments and health‑system stakeholders.

Cindy also alerted the committee to legislation awaiting the governor’s signature that would require faster state contracting and prompt payment to organizations that deliver state‑funded services. She said many local safety‑net providers must float state contract payments for months before reimbursement and that the bill would reduce that cash‑flow burden if enacted.

Why it matters: stronger planning and improved contracting practices could help frontline organizations manage cash flow and coordinate services more effectively as demand shifts.

Committee direction: HSC will continue outreach with partners and provide updates on project plans; committee members were asked to monitor the contracting bill on the governor’s desk and consider supporting prompt payment reforms.","The Human Services Coalition said it received a $200,000 planning and capacity‑building grant to improve cross‑sector collaboration on food, housing and transportation; the coalition also urged support for state legislation that would speed payments to social service contractors.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167704,"County to apply for Justice Youth Hub funding; state changes to runaway/homeless youth grants raise local concerns",455,4322000,4777000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250&start=4322&end=4777","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410251-46b200fd4d2e1e722850eaca68c9f250/thumbnail_4322000.jpg","/articles/6167704/Tompkins-County/New-York/County-to-apply-for-Justice-Youth-Hub-funding-state-changes-to-runawayhomeless-youth-grants-raise-local-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167704-6c38ac0dbf8a3186aca613f595510fd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770639360&Signature=GWr6QhGnbG1G8ieIruk6qUilAl63p8BhEtaQIs8qbqgC4eMYAI6-fTL5NDsv8iHR2AC4rcW7Go8IlxO3piTh~pOEeKQTXOxiPiWvbO2UDzhq5SSycIBpl4faJjUrx8T4unrecV1GN51Bz1Xry~47OKqbDPEnYnyo1rnzIVKs0j6AhdqQG3TvrOIH3EBt8NmBpAxBrEj5j9hTiFik74XT2HrS4Q-UB-sP-f2Kq4KWAL2MW9lWB1hXnHzZQtN3trElMIwiyHHJe-8BhVu8pMiKblVmrsriho9xvHDGjWnWSblrInYGrthCUBRDkuFXgsojZ~2XV0T4wSjC7gdMmfk8Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told the Health and Human Services Committee on July 16 that they are preparing an application for federal Transformational Youth Hub funding and raised concerns about recent federal changes to grants serving runaway and homeless youth (RHY).

Kate Shanks Booth (staff member) said the state intends to award four $1 million grants over three years to support youth hub work and that the county is preparing the required RFA responses with Southside as the proposed lead agency. The RFA response requires answers to eight planning questions; committee staff said the county is on track to submit the application by the end of the month.

Shanks Booth also warned committee members about changes to the FY2025 RHY grant administration at the federal level. She said the U.S. Department of Justice’s reduced application window (from roughly a month to 15 days in this solicitation) and added mandates are creating operational risks for local providers. “They’ve put several new mandates in this, which is really setting folks up to fail,” she said, citing new MOU requirements with law enforcement and restrictions on funds related to diversity, equity and inclusion and gender‑affirming care.

Shanks Booth said local partners are working to respond quickly; she urged committee members and local legislators to contact federal representatives to request an extension to the application period and to raise concerns about the programmatic changes. “We are asking… that you call your congressman… to have them extend the deadline by at least 30 days,” she said, adding that one local provider, the Learning Web, could be at risk if street outreach funding is collapsed into the new solicitation structure.

Why it matters: the Justice Youth Hubs funding could provide sustained resources for coordinated youth services locally; simultaneously, abrupt changes to RHY grant rules and shortened timelines may reduce continuity of funding for providers who serve youth experiencing homelessness.

Committee direction: staff will continue to prepare the hub application and coordinate with local partners; committee members were asked to contact federal representatives about the RHY solicitation timeline and new program mandates.","County staff said they will apply to a federal Justice Youth Hubs opportunity that could bring up to $1 million per hub; the county’s youth services director also warned of recent federal changes to the Runaway and Homeless Youth grant program that shorten application windows and add new requirements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves contingent fund adjustment for temporary shelter start‑up; officials say operating certificate will change reimbursement rules

Legislature approves $25,000 OCFS grant to support foster and guardianship placements

County Office for the Aging outlines services, caregiver resources and funding mix as it marks 50 years

Human Services Coalition wins $200,000 planning grant; coalition urges prompt state contracting reforms

County to apply for Justice Youth Hub funding; state changes to runaway/homeless youth grants raise local concerns