DSS reports Code Blue shelter counts; discusses separating ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ clients at Cherry Street site

Tompkins County’s Department of Social Services reported shelter occupancy and discussed operational approaches for the county’s Code Blue low‑barrier shelter during the Sept. 17 Health & Human Services Committee meeting. Commissioner Britney Earle said the department currently has 42 individual adults in shelter, three families totaling eight people, 30 individuals in other county hotels and one person in an out‑of‑county hotel. The department is collaborating with county partners on the planned Cherry Street shelter and is coordinating Code Blue operations there, Earle said. Earle described Code Blue as a low‑barrier shelter that cannot turn away someone who arrives under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She said the Cherry Street location is large enough that the department is exploring options to “be more intentional” about intake and to consider separating a ‘wet’ intake area (clients actively using substances) from a ‘dry’ intake area, with partner agencies helping to sober clients if needed. The commissioner said families are generally not placed in Code Blue; families are housed in hotels or motels to keep family units together and provide privacy. Earle also said the department is rolling out an internal mission, vision and values project and is coordinating SNAP focus‑group work with community partners. Why it matters: the committee received an operational snapshot that affects shelter capacity, service design and partner coordination as the county opens or adapts sites for winter Code Blue sheltering. Committee follow-up: members asked about an off‑site detox and stabilization center on Trippheimer Road; Earle said she would follow up with an updated timeline from the project lead. No formal committee action was taken on shelter policy at the meeting.