Allegany County Human Services Committee approves grants, contracts and staffing; health staff flag rise in tick‑borne illnesses

The Allegany County Human Services Committee on Tuesday approved a series of budget, contract and staffing items while public‑health staff warned of a rise in tick‑borne illnesses.

The panel voted to finalize federal revenue for the Congregate Services Initiative (CSI) after Anita Madison of the county Office for the Aging said the office budgeted $440 but received $1,373 in state funding and requested authority to finalize the 2026 budget. The committee also approved a memorandum of understanding with Accord Corporation to provide referral access to funds for older adults experiencing domestic violence under a program now called 'Safe Funds'; Madison said Accord will hold the funding and the county’s role is to provide referral pathways.

Jamie Tyler, the department’s deputy director, told the committee the county recorded 30 tick‑related disease cases in May, up from 20 in 2025 and 17 in 2024. "We had 30 tick‑related diseases," Tyler said, and the department plans stepped‑up public education starting next week.

The committee approved a memorandum of agreement with the New York State Department of Health Tobacco Enforcement Program (TUPAC) covering year three of a five‑year block grant (five‑year total $166,000; year three $33,200). Committee members also approved a $7,904 contract with Client’s Tent Rental for the county senior picnic on Aug. 4, 2026, and authorized filling a full‑time, 100% state‑funded groundskeeper position that provides PC level one housekeeper/chore services inside older adults’ homes.

On child welfare, Commissioner of Social Services Don Horan said multiple foster‑care provider contracts were approved to ensure availability of therapeutic foster‑home or residential placements as needed; providers listed included Buffalo Urban League, Catholic Charities of Rochester, Gateway Longview, Hillside Children’s Center, Pathways Foster Care, St. Ann’s Institute and others. Horan also reported approving a six‑month renewal with Steven DeMartA for a four‑unit homeless apartment program (a $100 monthly rent increase) used for temporary housing and intensive case monitoring.

Madison reported the Office for the Aging provided 1,352 hours of PC level one services and 579.5 hours of PC level two services in April, and delivered 9,294 meals for the month. The committee asked for clarification about demographic counts; Madison said individuals may appear in multiple demographic categories but totals are unduplicated within each category.

The committee accepted a $600 donation from the Jack Shepherd Memorial Mission Fund of the First Presbyterian Church to buy snacks for children at the county Child Advocacy Center. Staff also updated members on 'Eva,' the county’s Tipco automated phone assistant: since October it handled thousands of calls and has freed staff to focus on higher‑priority tasks, though callers sometimes request immediate human transfer.

Public‑health discussion included the county’s HUD lead grant work: five of seven houses were bid and will go to contract with a local Allegany County contractor, with work beginning in the coming weeks; the grant will cover relocation costs for residents when abatement work necessitates temporary housing. Lindy (no last name provided) said the state has awarded five years of funding to enhance an assisted outpatient treatment program and will present details to the committee soon.

Motion outcomes: all motions reported in the meeting were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote unless noted in the agenda. The committee adjourned after completing the listed business.