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Social Services reports ABAWD caseload changes, renews foster‑care contracts and renews TipCo 'Eva' system
Summary
Commissioner Donald Horan reported on ABAWD case outcomes, a spike in adult guardianship requests, approved renewals of multiple foster care contracts, a six‑month apartment lease for temporary housing, a $600 donation to the Child Advocacy Center, and renewal of the TipCo contract for the 'Eva' automated system.
Donald Horan, Commissioner of Allegany County Social Services, told the Human Services Committee that his office continues to monitor Able‑Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) requirements. He reported 30 cases officially closed, 16 individuals meeting monthly work requirements, 23 exemptions granted and 62 additional people contacted; his office tracks compliance by entering pay stubs or volunteer timesheets into the state system.
Horan said adult protective services guardianship requests have risen noticeably — about 12 requests this year compared with about 2 or 3 last year — and that he reassigned a caseworker to help the team handling the caseload.
The committee approved renewal of a set of foster care contracts for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 (providers listed in the minutes include Buffalo Urban League; Catholic Charities of Rochester; Child and Family Services; Hillside Children's Center; Kids Peace; Villa of Hope; and others). Horan also requested and received approval for a six‑month lease with Stephen DeMarte (July 1–Dec. 31, 2026) for an apartment in Belmont ($12,600) to serve as temporary housing assistance.
The committee approved acceptance and appropriation of a $600 donation from the Jack Sheppard Memorial Mission Fund to support the Child Advocacy Center.
Horan requested renewal of the TipCo Automated Systems contract for Aug. 1, 2026–July 31, 2028 for $67,960 to continue operating the office’s automated phone system known as “Eva.” Horan said Eva answered 6,878 calls (207 hours) between October and December and 24,246 calls (637 hours) since January; since April Eva has read rights and responsibilities 571 times (44 hours). He said Eva has handled an estimated total of 880 hours of calls and flags urgent messages; callers who insist on speaking with a person have, in at least one case, been transferred to staff. The committee approved the TipCo contract renewal.
All motions related to contracts and donations were approved and the committee instructed staff to prepare resolutions as noted in the minutes.
