The increase in the number of Child Protective reports directly impacts this unit. This unit provides the ongoing services to the families that are referred to Court as a result of the Child Protective investigations. Preventive Services are for families whose children are at risk of foster care.

Most cases for preventive services are ordered by Family Court as a result of an abuse, neglect, or custody proceeding.

Services are offered without regard to income.

Services include assessment, counseling and case management.

Foster Care is for children who for health and safety reasons need to be removed from their families temporarily.

Children may be placed in care as a result of an abuse or neglect petition or a PINS petition.

Care is normally provided by a foster family or a therapeutic foster family.

Group homes and residential treatment centers are utilized for children and youth who need a higher level of care.

The primary goal is to reunite the child with his/her family and the Department is required to provide diligent efforts toward achieving this end.

At set time frames, all foster care placements are reviewed by Family Court.

If, despite intensive efforts by the caseworker and barring unusual circumstances, the family cannot be reunited, the Department is required to file a petition with the Family Court for the termination of parental rights or seek a voluntary surrender of parental rights.

The caseworker assists with the preparation of the petition for the termination of parental rights and testifies in court.

If parental rights are terminated by court action or through a surrender, the caseworker works to find an adoptive family for the child and finalize the adoption.

Any youth 14-21 years old who is in foster care, whether or not his/her goal is return to parent, must be prepared for independent living.

Adult Protective Services serves adults (age 18 and older) who, due to physical or mental impairments, are unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or other harm; or cannot provide for their basic needs; for food, clothing, shelter or medical care; and have no one willing or able to assist in a responsible manner.

The Adult Services Unit provides a variety of specialized services to adults ages 18 and older whose condition or circumstances make them vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation by others.

Where there is a concern that a resident of Washington County may be in a situation where they are being abused, neglected, or exploited, the Adult Protective Unit will accept a referral where intervention is requested. Referrals must meet specific criteria set forth by the State of New York. Once a referral is accepted, an Adult Services Caseworker will complete an assessment.

Adults have the right to make their own decisions. They may choose to accept or refuse the services that are offered. Where the intervention is accepted, the Caseworker will work with the individual to create a plan.

WDOMI advocates for consumers at the individual level. We work to ensure that public and private programs and services are available to people with disabilities and that the programs encourage independent community living.
Staff will assist consumers in obtaining and maintaining benefits such as Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, Medicare, Personal Assistance and other forms of public assistance. In addition, consumers are assisted in returning to the workforce by receiving information about Social Security Work Incentives

Overseen by the Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Protective Services (CPS) is aimed at identfication, treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Investigates reports of abuse/neglect and arranges provision of services nessessary to ensure protection of children and to stabilize family life whenever possible.

“The Rome Rescue Mission is now offering a Representative Payee service for the city of Rome and greater Oneida County. The Representative Payee program provides benefit payment management for those receiving Social Security or SSI. Matt Miller, Rome Rescue Mission Executive Director, stated ‘The Representative Payee Program is an essential program to the community and once more aligns with our mission in providing A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out’. Taking part in this program allows us to work with our clients and help them manage their finances while promoting independence.”

LOCATION: 309 E. Dominick St.

This program will allow you to becomes the supervisor of your own personal assistant services. You can hire who you like (subject to some restrictions), train them in the areas important to you, and supervise their work on a daily basis. Tasks are not limited as they are in a traditional-care aide plan. If a personal assistant does not work well for you, you can replace them., TAKING CONTROL allows you to direct your assistant in tasks that include, but are not limites to: bathing, getting in and out of bed or wheelchair, toileting, eating and drinking, cooking,cleaning, personal errands, taking medication, some skilled nursing care

barbw@libertyarc.org

Child Assault Prevention (CAP) run by the Crime Victims Assistance Center, (CVAC), offers education for elementary school children, teachers, and parents. Teaches children about their rights to be safe, strong, and free. Successful strategies for personal safety demonstrated using simple role plays.