County to accept OCFS funding for Child Advocacy Center and mobile interview unit

The Ulster County Health, Human Services, and Human Rights Committee on Aug. 7 approved two related measures to support the county’s Child Advocacy Center and its mobile interview unit. Resolution 3 79 authorizes an agreement with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for the multidisciplinary team Child Advocacy Center on Hurley Avenue. Deputy Commissioner Wood told the committee that OCFS funding is 100% state-funded and supplements on-site personnel. The contract is a five-year arrangement; the current cycle will provide roughly $275,000 per year, according to the deputy commissioner. Resolution 3 80 authorizes acceptance of a separate OCFS mobile unit grant to maintain and operate an RV used for onsite interviews and investigations. Deputy Commissioner Wood said the mobile unit grant is a five-year award totaling about $16,000 (approximately $3,200 per year) to reimburse inspections, maintenance and related costs; the county parks or buildings-and-grounds staff cover winter storage. Both resolutions passed without objection. The transcript records no amendments or conditions attached by the committee and no roll-call tally; both actions were moved and seconded and adopted by voice vote. The department described the mobile unit as an investigative tool used to reach families across the county and emphasized continued use of contracted and county personnel funded through the OCFS awards.