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County accepts three state social‑services grants totaling roughly $300,000 for prevention, juvenile diversion and case management
Summary
Saratoga County accepted New York State grants: $76,622 from OCFS for preventive services, $91,555 from OCFS for juvenile diversion programming, and $132,713 from OTDA for family‑centered case management; each requires budget amendments or program pass‑throughs.
Saratoga County’s commissioner of Social Services presented three state grant acceptances Tuesday that the Health and Human Services committee approved to fund prevention, juvenile diversion and intensive case‑management services.
The county accepted $76,622 from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for the Community Optional Preventive Services Program for federal fiscal year 2024–25. The resolution authorizes acceptance of the funds, authorizes the chairman or the commissioner to submit required documents to OCFS, and directs that the county attorney approve the form and content. The county’s 2025 social services budget will be amended to reflect the additional $4,383 over last year’s allocation.
Commissioner Maxwell said the preventive services are co‑located with contracted family specialists and have been part of the county’s efforts to avert foster‑care placements. Maxwell said the program typically serves about 30 youth per year and that avoiding one or two foster‑care placements would offset the grant given high daily foster‑care costs.
The committee also approved acceptance of $91,555 from OCFS for a juvenile diversion program intended to serve youth at imminent risk of foster care, youth alleged to be persons in need of supervision, juvenile delinquents and related populations. Maxwell said the plan attached to the resolution is essentially the same plan the county has used since 2013, and that, after OCFS plan approval, probation will return with contract requests to operate the program.
Finally, the committee accepted $132,713 from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to continue a family‑centered case management position in the Department of Social Services. Maxwell said the position, started in January, has served 48 families and helped 35 families move out of emergency housing; the role focuses on households with complex needs, including mental health, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, homelessness and domestic violence.
All three resolutions were approved by voice vote. The county attorney will review forms and the commissioner and chair are authorized to execute documents required by the state agencies.
