Commissioner: Christina Mastrianni
Ensuring the provision of assistance and services necessary to sustain dependent and disabled persons, protect children and adults from abuse and neglect, and to assist applicants and recipients in achieving the greatest degree of independence possible.
Am I Eligible for Assistance?
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Description of Services
Adult Services
- Adult Protective Services
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Protective Services for Adults (PSA) are services directed to adults who are in danger of harm to themselves or others as a result of their own actions or the actions of others and who have no family or friends willing and able to help them. PSA clients include the terminally ill, abused and exploited, chronically mentally ill, elderly infirmed, mentally or intellectually challenged, and/or alcohol/drug dependent adult. These clients generally present multiple severe problems and are often homeless, under threat of becoming homeless, or transient.
Services to this population may include assuring safety, monitoring behavior, finding appropriate housing, financial management, referral and follow-up to needed services/resources, counseling, case management, intervention to prevent serious injury or death, and help for clients to perform daily living activities.
Individuals, age 18 or older, are eligible for protective services for adults if they meet each of the following 3 criteria:
- The Adult must have a physical illness or disability and/or a mental impairment which results in a decreased capacity for self care and self determination.
- Inability to meet their essential needs or to protect themselves from harm.
- Have no one willing or able to assist them responsibly.
If the individual meets all of the above criteria, a wide range of services can be arranged for the client such as counseling, case management, advocacy, money management, assisting with housing or alternative living arrangements or appropriate crisis interventions coordinated with various agencies equipped to serve such populations. PSA clients are among the most debilitated and neglected members of the community - the frail elderly, the mentally ill, the mentally challenged and the abused and exploited. These persons are often not known to any agency or have refused services and are isolated from family and friends. Abuse cases are those involving possible physical, sexual or emotional abuse, financial exploitation or neglect by others. Neglect cases involve an impaired adult's inability to obtain adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or entitlements on his or her own behalf.
If you have concerns and wish to report a case of suspected abuse or neglect of an elderly or disabled person residing in the community, please call Warren County Adult Protective services at (518)761-6326 during regular business hours, and a caseworker will be available to discuss your concerns.
- CASA
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CASA assesses for and administers Medicaid funded home care programs including; Personal Care, Consumer Directed, Private Duty Nursing and Care at Home programs. We work closely with Office for the Aging, Public Health and other Medicaid services to provide in-home care for chronically ill patients of all ages. CASA also assists with Nursing Home placement. A referral can be made to CASA by calling (518)761-6322
- Domestic Violence
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A domestic violence liaison conducts an assessment and determination regarding the need for waivers for temporary assistance due to safety issues when domestic violence is an issue. Referrals to appropriate services are made as well.
Child & Family Services
For more information on sleeping safety and keeping children safe visit http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/tips.asp
- Adoption and Foster Care
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The purpose of the Foster Care Program is to ensure that the right of a child to a permanent and secure home is realized. This program is charged with the responsibility for providing 24-hour care and service to children who cannot safely remain with their own family and to reunite these families by the provision of, or arrangement for, appropriate services.
Levels of foster care include placement in foster homes, therapeutic foster homes, group homes, institutions, critical care institutions, or residential treatment facilities.
There are many points of entry into foster care, but the two primary sources of intake are through JD/PINS proceedings in family court and Child Protective Services. Many of the children entering foster care are victims of repeated physical and/or emotional neglect. They are very special children with very special needs. These children often require special foster homes equipped to nurture them and heal their physical and emotional scars.
The Department's ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Point of Contact is:
Maureen Taylor
Foster Care Supervisor
Telephone: (518) 761-6272,
E-mail - Child Protective Services
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The Department of Social Services is required by law to establish and maintain a local Child Protective Services unit within the Department of Social Services. Child Protective Services (CPS) is responsible for receiving and investigating all reports of child abuse and neglect received through the state's Central Registry. In addition, upon completion of the investigation, CPS has the responsibility to protect a child's welfare and preserve and stabilize family life whenever possible. When abusive and/or neglectful families are unwilling or unable to accept and use supportive and rehabilitative services, CPS has a responsibility to initiate Family Court proceedings to protect the child(ren).
Since there is a 24-hour mandate for CPS coverage, it is essential that a caseworker is always available to ensure the protection of children. Caseworkers make contact face to face with the alleged abused and/or maltreated child or children to assess imminent risk and safety issues. A safety plan may have to be put in place to protect a child(ren) from any further harm or neglect. If you have concerns that a child may be abused or maltreated, please call the Child Protective Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.
- Child Support
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The program’s purpose is to assist custodial parents and guardians obtain child support from noncustodial parents by establishing parentage, establishing and modifying financial and medical support orders, and enforcing obligations. These efforts seek to promote the support of children by legally responsible parents.
The primary point of contact for the public is the Child Support Helpline at 1-888-208-4485.
For further information and/or apply for child support services, please visit the NY Child Support website: www.childsupport.ny.gov
- Child Care
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Child Care Services is a funded service through the New York State Child Care Block Grant (NYSCCBG) which is a grant consisting of Federal and State funds which are allocated to each county throughout NY State. Child Care Services involves the non-residential (less than 24 hours per day) care of children outside of their homes who are placed there by their parent(s), guardian(s), or caretaker(s). Such care may be provided during any part of the day/night.
The Warren County Department of Social Services provides free or low cost child care services for eligible families residing in Warren County. Child care is available for children, between the ages of 6 weeks through 12 years in licensed day care centers, school age child care programs, group family day care homes, registered family day care homes, and legally exempt/informal child care programs. You can find more information about the guidelines for assistance here.
NOTE: Children with special needs may be able to receive subsidized child care through 18 years of age.
Families that meet the income guidelines may be eligible to utilize child care services for employment, high school education program, approved GED program, two-year college program (leading to an associate’s degree), four-year college program (leading to a bachelor’s degree), approved training programs, and literacy training.
Child care is also offered to Temporary Assistance recipients to meet program requirements including those family’s experiencing homelessness; Child Protective Cases may be deemed eligible on a case-by-case basis, such that the child care is needed to protect the child(ren); and families receiving Preventive Services may be deemed eligible on a case-by-case basis as well.
Families must meet income and program eligibility criteria to be eligible for child care services. All individuals applying for child care services must complete an application and submit supporting documentation. A family can make up to 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) and be eligible for child care assistance.Each family receiving child care services, with the exception of a family where the parent(s), guardian(s), or caretaker(s) is receiving temporary assistance or a child is homeless, must contribute toward the costs of such services by paying a family share that is based upon the family's income. Family shares are based on the amount of gross family income that exceeds the New York State Income standard (100%) and Warren County's family share percentage is 1%. Family shares are never increased during a 12-month eligibility period but can be lowered if there is a decrease in a family’s income.
For more information and assistance in finding quality child care please contact Warren County’s contracted Child Care Resource and Referral Agency at:
Southern Adirondack Child Care Network (SACCN)
16 Pearl Street
Glens Falls, NY 12801
(PH) 518-798-7972
Southern Adirondack Child Care Network
For further information regarding Child Care Services offered through New York State please visit www.ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare
To apply for child care assistance on-line please visit https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/ccap/ or you can request an application be mailed to your address by contacting the Warren County Child Care Services Unit at (518) 761-7687 or (518) 761-6327. - Preventive Services
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The goal of the Preventive Unit is to strengthen families and help overcome barriers or challenges to help caregivers provide an environment that children will thrive in. Our goals for all children are safety, permanency, and well-being and the caseworkers assist in improving the well-being of the family to support those goals. Preventive services are voluntary, for families with children under the age of 18, and meet the eligibility requirements. In addition, Intensive Services may be offered for those that qualify. Preventive Services are most appropriate for risk related referrals due to adult or child mental illness, intellectual challenges, substance abuse/misuse, domestic violence, and unsafe/unstable living conditions. The purpose of the services provided to the family are to prevent a disruption in the family, such as a placement in Foster Care, or to enable a child to return to the home from a Foster Care Placement. Some services offered include housing assistance and/or referrals, child care, case management services and referrals, parenting support and training, and referrals to community based agencies as needed.
For further information please contact Preventive Services Supervisor Janet Pratt at (518) 761-6336.
Financial Services
- SNAP
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The SNAP Program is a Federally funded program designed to supplement low-income households in order to meet basic nutritional needs. There are income and resources tests as well as employment-related requirements for able-bodied recipients. More information can be found on the NYS SNAP website. Specific information regarding SNAP and non-citizens can be found here as well. Check here for information related to the USDA Nondiscrimation statement can be found here.
- HEAP
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HEAP is a federally funded program to help low-income households with supplementing their home energy needs. Some components include: Regular Benefit, Emergency Benefit, Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefit, Clean and Tune Benefit and Cooling Assistance. For more information visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/
To apply visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/apply/#heap or call 518-761-6338.
- Medicaid
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Medical Assistance (Medicaid) is authorized by Title XIX of the Social Security Act and instituted in New York State in 1966. Medicaid provides medical assistance for low-income individuals and families. The Medicaid program is funded with Federal, State and County taxes. Medicaid expenditures to providers comprise more than 80% of the entire Warren County Social Services Budget.
In most cases, you may be eligible to receive medical assistance if you are in receipt of temporary assistance (TANF), receive supplemental income (SSI) or if you meet certain income, resource, age or disability criteria. There are also expanded eligibility levels, if you are pregnant or if you have a child.
- Medical Transportation
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Medicaid can pay for transportation to and from emergency medical care and services. Medicaid can also pay for transportation to and from non-emergency medical care or services for a Medicaid eligible individual, or reimburse that individual for the expense.
In non-emergency situations, prior approval of the request for transportation is required to ensure that:
- The mode of transportation, (i.e. private vehicle, public transit, taxi, ambulance), is appropriate to the medical needs of the client
- The least costly appropriate transportation is arranged.
To be screened for services and make arrangements you must contact MAS, Medical Answering Services at 1-855-360-3541 or www.medanswering.com
- Temporary Assistance
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There are three basic forms of Temporary Assistance (commonly called cash assistance). Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) provides temporary support for families with children. Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) provides onetime emergency assistance to families with children with an immediate need (such as eviction, no heat, utility shutoff etc.). SafetyNet Assistance provides temporary support for individuals, childless couples or families not eligible for TANF. Income and resource tests apply and there is a strong emphasis on employment, reemployment or transition to entitlement programs for the disabled.
- Employment
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Assesses and refers Temporary Assistance Clients for job placement, work experience, and training; supervises job search activities; maintains and updates client Employability Plans; coordinates employment case activity with other service providers.
Fraud
We insure that the integrity of the Social Service System is not compromised. We accomplish this by alleviating fraud, waste and abuse by Social Service clients and vendors. Please see our Fraud section for more information.
