Cayuga County Human Services panel approves contracts and staffing changes; staff warn of SNAP work-rule deadline

The Cayuga County Legislature’s Human Services Committee on Oct. 16 approved a package of departmental contracts and personnel changes and heard updates on programs ranging from youth services and homelessness response to SNAP rule changes and public‑health contracts.

The committee voted to approve multiple resolutions on contracts and staffing: a scope‑of‑work amendment for a youth program receiving ARPA funds; two new animal‑care contracts for the health department; contract renewals and short‑term shelter arrangements with Chapel House for case management and transitional housing; and a set of position changes in the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Health Department. All listed resolutions on the agenda were carried.

The resolutions cleared by the committee included: - HH12 — Authorize the legislature and the youth bureau director to amend the scope of work and executed agreement with Human Counseling Services. The county confirmed the award is ARPA‑funded (approximately $15,000) and the vendor has until December 2026 to spend those funds. The amendment lets the provider shift from an initially proposed Big Brothers‑style program to on‑site and community‑based youth relationship and peer‑building activities, with an estimated 26 activity types and roughly 100 unduplicated children served countywide. - HH3 and HH4 — Contracts with Chapel House: HH3 funds a supportive case manager for people experiencing homelessness (contract amount stated in committee materials as $81,632); HH4 funds a six‑month contract (11/01/2025–04/30/2026) to maintain Ray of Light, a 16‑bed emergency/transitional shelter while a new rescue‑mission shelter is built. Committee discussion noted the county will need an alternative plan for unsheltered clients when the site transfers to the rescue mission and the on‑site program closes. - HH1 and HH2 — Health…