Albany County approves several social‑services contracts, grant acceptances and resolution for virtual child‑welfare training

Albany County officials voted to authorize multiple contracts and grant actions for social‑services programs and approved a county resolution to allow continued virtual training for child‑welfare workers.

The actions, taken during a county meeting, include acceptance of a $14,401 pass‑through grant for adult protective services, an agreement with the New York State Department of Health for administration of the children and youth with special healthcare needs program, a contract for functional family therapy with Cayuga Centers, a contract with Provo Canyon School for foster care services for a high‑needs youth, a $25,000 grant application for foster‑parent recruitment, and a county resolution to permit virtual training for child‑welfare staff.

The county accepted $14,401 from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, described in the meeting as pass‑through funding tied to federal American Rescue Plan funds. A staff member presenting the item said, “The Department of Social Services is asking to accept $14,401, to be added to our budget, which is funding that we're receiving from New York State Office of Children and Family Services, which is a pass through funding for federal, American Rescue Plan grant funding.” The board approved the authorization by voice vote.

County officials also authorized an agreement with the New York State Department of Health to reimburse administrative costs for the county’s children and youth with special healthcare needs program. Commissioner Manning described the program as serving children birth to age 21 with significant disabilities and said the funds pay for needs such as “a certain type of bed, a certain type of hearing aid.” Commissioners were told referrals are infrequent but that having funds available helps families when needs arise; the authorization passed by voice vote.

The board approved renewing a contract with Cayuga Centers to provide Functional Family Therapy (FFT). Presenters said FFT is an evidence‑based program that will serve up to 30 families and addresses mental‑health, domestic‑violence and behavioral concerns. County members were told the county’s 32% share of the contract applies to Albany County residents. The contract authorization passed.

Separately, the county authorized an agreement with Provo Canyon School to provide foster‑care services for a specific youth described in the meeting as having complex mental‑health needs and currently hospitalized. Presenters stated the county seeks a provider that can meet those high needs; the contract authorization was approved.

The county also agreed to submit an application for a $25,000 payment distributed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to support foster‑care and adoptive‑parent recruitment and retention. Presenters said the funding would be used for advertising and outreach, including social media, to recruit foster parents. The application authorization passed by voice vote.

Finally, the board authorized the Department for Children, Youth and Families to continue virtual training for child‑welfare workers by adopting a county resolution. A department staff member explained the Office of Children and Family Services wants to continue virtual training started during the COVID‑19 pandemic and that “the assembly passed a bill, and therefore, we need to comply and obtain a resolution from Albany County in order to continue the virtual training.” The board approved the resolution by voice vote.

Votes were recorded by voice and described in the meeting minutes as passed; no roll‑call tallies were provided in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of the previous meeting — motion passed (voice vote; tally not specified). - Item 2: Accept $14,401 grant (NYS Office of Children and Family Services, ARP pass‑through) and amend 2025 Department for Social Services budget for adult protective services — approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Item 3: Authorize agreement with New York State Department of Health for administrative reimbursement of the children and youth with special healthcare needs program — approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Item 4: Authorize agreement with Cayuga Centers for Functional Family Therapy (serve up to 30 families; 32% county share) — approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Item 5: Authorize agreement with Provo Canyon School for foster care services for an identified high‑needs youth — approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Item 6: Authorize submission of $25,000 foster‑recruitment grant application (NYS OCFS) — approved (voice vote; tally not specified). - Item 7: Authorize Department for Children, Youth and Families to provide virtual training (county resolution required by state bill) — approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

The meeting adjourned following the votes.