The Department of Social Services is mandated to provide the following programs and services:
- Temporary Assistance
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 one-time emergency assistance to families with children with an immediate need (such as eviction, no heat, utility shut-off 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, re-employment or transition to entitlement programs for the disabled.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
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.
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
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
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.
- Child Care
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.
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)
37 Everts Road
Queensbury, NY 12804
518-798-7972/Fax: 518-812-0799
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 request an application be mailed to your address please contact The Warren County Child Care Services Unit at (518) 761-7687 or (518) 761-6327.
- Child Support Collection And Enforcement
The Child Support Unit is mandated by the state to assist in locating absent parents, assist in the establishment of paternity for children born out-of-wedlock, establish support obligations by agreement or by petitioning the Family Court to order child and spousal support from absent parents, assist in the collection of support and assist in the enforcement of delinquent support orders.
- Adult Protective Services
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 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.
If you have concerns and wish to report a case of suspected abuse or neglect of an elderly or disabled person residing in the 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.
- Child Protective Services
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 maybe abused or maltreated, please call the child protective hotline at 1-800-342-3720
- Prevention Services
Child Preventive Services is a program which serves families with severe and multiple problems who have children at risk of foster care placement. Some problems include child or adult mental illness, intellectual challenges, alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence and child sexual abuse. The department's preventive services caseworkers, along with partner agencies, work with parents who are unable or unwilling to provide proper discipline, direction or care for their children. Preventive's goal is to improve family functioning so that children can remain in their own home and prevent foster care placement.
For further information please contact Preventative Services Supervisor Tracy Terry at (518) 761-6336 - Foster Care And Adoption
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
Maureen.Taylor@dfa.state.ny.us -
