Committee approves contract amendments for early-intervention respite and transportation services

The Health, Human Services and Human Rights Committee approved several Department of Social Services items supporting children with special needs.

Resolution 4-15 authorized a $28,000 amendment to the contract with NYSARC d/b/a The Arc Mid-Hudson to provide respite services for families in the Early Intervention program (infants to age 3). Deputy Commissioner Rita Wood said the service is hourly respite (not overnight) and that monthly allotments vary by family need, for example four hours or up to 16 hours per month depending on the care plan.

Resolutions 4-16 and 4-17 approved contracts with two bus companies (Bernie Bus and Orange County Transit LLC) to transport children in early-intervention and preschool special-education programs to center-based and related services. Deputy Commissioner Wood said the contracts are one-year terms with up to three optional extensions and include a cost-of-living adjustment set annually by the State Education Department and transportation guidance; the county solicited bids previously and these two providers were selected based on price.

A legislator asked whether other providers might bid for transportation; staff said these two are the only providers that bid and won the contracts. The motions were moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.