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OCFS's CATTARAUGUS RESIDENTS REPAIR BICYCLES FOR CHRISTMAS
Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., is pleased to announce that 12 youth from the Cattaraugus Residential Center repaired and assembled six bicycles this fall that will be delivered tomorrow (Dec. 23) to less fortunate families for Christmas, as part of a program with the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department that fosters cooperation, volunteerism and caring for others.
OCFS HONORS SARATOGA COUNTY PSA UNIT FOR OUTSTANDING WORK WITH VULNERABLE ADULTS
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) today (Dec. 18) awarded Certificates of Recognition For Excellence in Providing Protective Services for Adults (PSA) to the supervisors and caseworkers of the Saratoga County Department of Social Services (DSS) PSA Team.
Commission for Blind & Visually Handicapped Placed 402 Legally Blind Adults in Competitive Fields; Increasing Placements for Third Year in a Row
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced that the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH), a division of OCFS, has successfully placed more legally blind adults in competitive jobs than it did last year – reflecting a three-year growth in job placements.
OCFS HONORS ALBANY COUNTY PSA UNIT FOR OUTSTANDING WORK WITH VULNERABLE ADULTS
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) today awarded Certificates of Recognition For Excellence in Providing Protective Services for Adults (PSA) to the supervisors and staff of the Albany County Department of Social Services (DSS) PSA Intake and Long Term Units.
OCFS HONORS GREENE COUNTY PSA UNIT FOR OUTSTANDING WORK WITH VULNERABLE ADULTS
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) [today] awarded Certificates of Recognition For Excellence in Providing Protective Services for Adults (PSA) to the staff of the Greene County Department of Social Services (DSS) PSA Unit.
The awards were presented at the offices of the Greene County DSS, by OCFS Associate Commissioner Kirk Maurer, Director of the Bureau of Adult Services Alan Lawitz, and Michael Cahill, also of the Bureau of Adult Services. Also in attendance were Greene County Administrator Dan Frank and Human Resources Chair Larry Gardner.
COMMISSION FOR BLIND & VISUALLY HANDICAPPED TO WEBCAST EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
The public will be able to listen in via the Internet to the Executive Board meeting of the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) taking place at 8:30 am on Tuesday, December 2.
The meeting will take place in the Blue Room on the second floor of the New York State Capitol starting at 8:30 a.m. and run until approximately 4:00 p.m. The audio webcast will remain accessible on the Internet for 30 days. The webcast was arranged after numerous consumers from across the state expressed interest in attending electronically. Captions will be provided for the hearing impaired.
OCFS HONORS MONTGOMERY COUNTY PSA UNIT FOR OUTSTANDING WORK WITH VULNERABLE ADULTS
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) today awarded Certificates of Recognition For Excellence in Providing Protective Services for Adults (PSA) to staff of the Montgomery County Department of Social Services (DSS) PSA unit.
The awards were presented at a session of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors in Fonda by OCFS Deputy Commissioner Laura Velez, Director of the Bureau of Adult Services Alan Lawitz and Deborah Schwencke, also of the Bureau of Adult Services.
NEW YORK STATE AMERICORPS MEMBERS KICK OFF NEW YEAR OF SERVICE
The New York State Commission on National and Community Service today announced the New York State AmeriCorps Kickoff Celebration at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. More than 1,300 AmeriCorps members, representing 46 programs from throughout New York State, gathered to take the oath that begins their year of service to the State and country.
CHILD SAFETY EVENT AT CROSSGATES MALL
Fun-Filled Event for Entire Family
ALBANY --- New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys
Carrión, Esq. today announced the Sixth Annual New York Loves Safe Babies event to be held at
Albany’s Crossgates Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 15. The event, located on the
lower level across from Regal Cinemas, is an opportunity for family fun while gathering important
healthy family information.
NOVEMBER IS ADOPTION MONTH (Español)
Adoptive Families Needed
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., is asking New Yorkers to consider becoming foster or adoptive parents as National Adoption Month events kick off across the state.
“There are 1,300 foster children in New York State who are available for adoption and in need of a family,” said Carrión. “All who are able should consider welcoming one of these wonderful children into their homes. The rewards are priceless.”
Carrión also announced that OCFS, for the first time, will be posting video interviews with children available for adoption on its website at ocfs.ny.gov/adopt/videoAdopt.asp.
Annsville Residential Center Staff & Youth Recognized for Contribution & Innovation to Juvenile Justice
The national Juvenile Justice Trainers Association (JJTA) this week honored the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for the successful implementation of Sanctuary, the trauma-informed therapeutic model for improving outcomes for children, at the Annsville Residential Center in Oneida County.
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the creation of the Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice to examine ways to improve New York’s juvenile justice system. The Task Force will develop and design a strategic blueprint for transforming the system, including examining alternatives to institutional placement, ways to assist children’s re-entry into the community, and redefining the conditions of confinement for juveniles across the State.
ALBANY, NY - Fathers and father figures are urged to accompany their children to school at Arbor Hill Elementary School in Albany on Monday, Sept. 8 , as part of a national Million Father March. The event is co-sponsored by the New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) and Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), as part of their joint responsible fatherhood initiative.
The New York State Commission on National and Community Service will meet at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8. This meeting will be held in the Blue Room of the State Capitol in Albany and is open to the public. Attendees must register in advance, by Tuesday, Sept. 2, by calling 518 473-8882. Attendees must produce picture identification in order to be admitted to the building.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services has announced the latest Central New York “Heart Gallery” exhibit, featuring 43 portraits of youth awaiting adoption. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 5, from 6-9 p.m. at the Noreen Reale Falcone Library on the Le Moyne College campus.
President George W. Bush has honored the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ (OCFS) Evening Reporting Center (ERC) in Syracuse with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of the many hours of service the youth in the program have provided to the Syracuse Rescue Mission.
Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, in partnership with New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, announced Nassau County's participation in “Babies Sleep Safest Alone”, the statewide campaign to stop a preventable crisis: infants dying while sharing a bed with adults. The goal is to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of infants sleeping alone.
Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties today joined the New York State “BABIES SLEEP SAFEST ALONE” education campaign to stop a preventable crisis: infants dying when sharing a bed with an adult.
Governor David A. Paterson today announced that May 11-18 will be nationally observed as AmeriCorps Week. New York will honor nearly 8,000 New York State residents who currently serve as AmeriCorps members – a group committed to improving the quality of life in communities throughout the State. As part of AmeriCorps Week, a variety of celebrations and service projects will take place across the State. New York State has more AmeriCorps Week activities planned than any other state in the nation with more than 40 events scheduled.
LAUNCHED BY NYS OFFICE OF CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES &NYC MAYOR’S OFFICE & MORE THAN THREE DOZEN COUNTY LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSIONERS
New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión, NYC Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, city Administration for Children Services (ACS) Commissioner John Mattingly, and more than three dozen local social services commissioners across the state today launched a joint campaign to stop a preventable crisis: infants dying when sharing a bed with an adult
New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced a pilot program that will broadcast an agency meeting via the Internet for the first time.
On Wednesday, April 9, the public will be able to log on to a live "webcast" of the Executive Board meeting of the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH). The meeting will take place in the Blue Room on the second floor of the New York State Capitol starting at 8:30 a.m. and run approximately seven hours.
New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., will address community leaders and direct service providers at a Child Abuse Prevention Month Kickoff on Friday, April 4, in Harlem. It will take place at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, 163 West 125th St., 8th floor conference room, starting at 9 a.m.
The New York State Commission on National and Community Service will meet on Wednesday, April 9, at 11 a.m. The meeting will be held at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (North Building - Room 329), 52 Washington St., Rensselaer.
In August of 2006, Section 34-a of Social Services Law (SSL) was amended to require the commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), in conjunction with the commissioner of the State Education Department (SED), to develop model practices and procedures for local social services districts and school districts regarding the reporting and investigation of educational neglect. The law further requires the local social services districts, in conjunction with local school districts within in its district, to develop and submit written policies and procedures regarding the reporting of educational neglect by each school district and the investigation of educational neglect allegations by local child protective services (CPS).
NYS Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq. and Civil Services Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue announced that the agency and union met this past weekend to discuss child care issues in New York State in advance of negotiating a representation agreement for providers.
"Recognizing home-based child care workers as professionals is critical to raising the quality of child care across the state," said Commissioner Carrión. NYS Office of Children & Family Services and VOICE/CSEA Commence Negotiations of Child Care Provider Representation Agreement
The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has launched two new web-based initiatives: a comprehensive directory of state-provided resources for working families, and an interactive Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) estimator to show working families how valuables the credits can be to them. The "Resources for Working Families" can be found on OTDA's web page, www.otda.state.ny.us, and the EITC estimator at www.otda.state.ny.us/main/reform/estimator. For more information, view OTDA press release.
Chairman Johnson, Chairman Farrell, and distinguished members of the Legislature, good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity to discuss the Office of Children and Family Services 2008-09 Executive Budget and its impact on the programs and services we provide, as well as to update you on our many accomplishments over the past year.
Since last year's fiscal hearing, I have been traveling across the state, meeting with children, parents, grandparents, family court judges, social service commissioners, caseworkers, advocates, state and local and federal legislators who share a common purpose: improving the lives of our most vulnerable citizens. Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq. Testimony to the New York State Legislature's Joint Budget Committee
Funding to Help Start, Expand and Improve Child Care Facilities across the State
Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced child care facilities across New York will receive over $1 million from the Child Care Block Grant. The child care grants will be used to launch and expand school-age child care programs and day care centers, creating 268 new child care slots. The funds will be distributed through the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to 49 qualified child care organizations which will use the grants for capital improvements to start, expand, and improve the safety of child care programs. Governor Spitzer Announces Over $1 Million in Child Care Grants
Agency Closing, Reducing, or Merging Underutilized Residential Facilities to Improve Services to Children and Help Prevent Youth Crime
New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión today announced the closing of six underutilized residential facilities as part of an ongoing restructuring to significantly improve services to troubled children.
The agency is closing the Adirondack Wilderness Challenge in Clinton County, Auburn Residential Center in Cayuga County, Brace Residential Center in Delaware County, Gloversville Group Home in Fulton County, Great Valley Residential Center in Cattaraugus County, and the Pyramid Reception Center in The Bronx. New York Office of Children & Family Services Accelerating Transformation of State Juvenile Justice System
Cerrando, reduciendo o consolidando establecimientos residenciales poco utilizados para mejorar los servicios para niños y jóvenes y prevenir el crimen juvenil
La Comisionada de la Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias del Estado de Nueva York Gladys Carrión anunció hoy el cierre de seis establecimientos residenciales poco utilizados como parte de una reestructuración progresiva para mejorar significativamente los servicios para niños y jóvenes que tienen diversos problemas.
La agencia (OCFS por sus siglas en inglés) está cerrando Adirondack Wilderness Challenge en el condado de Clinton, Auburn Residential Center en el condado de Cayuga, Brace Residential Center en el condado de Delaware, Gloversville Group Home en el condado de Fulton County, Great Valley Residential Center en el condado de Cattaraugus, y Pyramid Reception Center en El Bronx. La Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias del Estado de Nueva York Acelera la Transformación del Sistema de Justicia Juvenil