Albany County approves budget adjustments to add juvenile justice coordinator, expand foster behavioral-health and preschool services

Albany County’s Department for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) on Thursday secured approval for multiple administrative budget adjustments and contract authorizations that will add a full‑time juvenile justice coordinator, expand behavioral‑health services in foster care, increase preschool related‑services reimbursement rates and amend funding for the county’s Healthy Families program.

DCYF staff presented the package, saying the juvenile justice coordinator position will work closely with family court and probation to place and monitor youth and to pursue diversion and therapeutic placements when appropriate. “We’re really looking at working with…probation and family court,” the DCYF presenter said. The county also authorized agreements for preschool special‑education related services and intercounty evaluation contracts that county staff said allow Albany County to provide speech, occupational and physical therapy for young children identified in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

County officials and staff framed the actions as responses to rising juvenile justice admissions and to gaps in community services. The presenter said the county’s secure‑detention capacity is strained…