Tompkins County Department of Social Services (DSS) presented two related items on June 18: a contingent-fund request to cover start-up and security costs for a hotel-based temporary shelter, and a program report on foster care, preventive services and community engagement.

Shelter funding: DSS staff described initial costs tied to contracting a hotel for temporary shelter and ongoing on-site security costs. Kate (Department of Social Services) said an early period of hotel occupancy could not be claimed as an administrative expense under state reimbursement rules, and that the department therefore sought additional contingent-fund spending authority to pay vendor and startup costs. DSS indicated some operating costs would later be offset by client shelter payments and, if certified by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), by the state's shelter daily-rate reimbursements after the county obtains an operating certificate.

Committee action and outcome: The department asked the committee for a contingent-fund appropriation to cover the unanticipated nonreimbursable startup costs. A motion to approve the contingent-fund request was made but CORSA (county contract/accounting staff) requested that the committee not act at the meeting because the contingent amount needed correction. The mover withdrew the motion and the request was tabled for reconsideration at a later meeting.

Foster-care and preventive-services report: DSS supervisors Shanice Riley (Family Treatment Court supervisor) and Leanne Musso (Youth and Family Services supervisor) reviewed outreach and prevention work intended to keep children safely in the community and reduce out-of-home placements. Key points included:

- Community outreach: DSS tabled at the Better Together event and reported direct engagement with more than 200 community members; the department also hosted a Child Abuse Prevention Month event attended by more than 70 professionals and is doing school "roadshows" to explain services and build relationships with educators.

- Intake and response: The department explained the distinction between family-assessment response (FAR) and traditional investigation tracks, noting statutory timelines (contact within 24 hours, a more thorough safety assessment within seven days, and completion of an investigation within 60 days when required). Staff emphasized a "support it, don't report it" approach to reduce unnecessary hotline reports and to route questions to caseworkers where appropriate.

- Evidence-based practices and programs: DSS described training in signs-of-safety, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed and solution-focused care, and co-location of an advocacy specialist for intimate-partner-violence cases. Team-based initiatives include Family Treatment Court (about 40 families supported), Therapeutic After-School Program (TAP), Youth Advocate Program (YAP), DAP for younger children, and MST (Multi-Systemic Therapy) for higher-need families.

- Placement and adoption numbers: DSS reported approximately 41 children placed outside the home (33 in foster homes or with relatives, seven in higher-level residential settings, and one over-18 in supervised independent living). The county reported 76 licensed foster homes and 93 total children in foster care; twelve adoptions had been finalized in 2025 to date.

- Crisis respite and alternatives: DSS said it used respite as an alternative to detention on at least one recent case and had recorded 91 respite days used so far in 2025.

What it means: Committee members asked for clearer budget detail for the contingent-fund request and emphasized the need to route the spending-authority request through the budget and capital committee with corrected figures. No contingent fund change was approved at the June 18 meeting. DSS said it will re-submit revised amounts and supporting documentation for committee review.

Follow-up: DSS provided business cards and encouraged committee members to attend outreach events and to coordinate site visits. The department will return with corrected contingent-fund figures and expects to appear before budget/capital review in the next cycle.