Overview
The Monroe County Department of Human and Health Services has as an important part of its mission, the development of resources that help to support, strengthen, and redefine family relationships. This averts the need for out of home placement of children. Preventive services are particularly critical at a time when families are encountering much change and stress.
The Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) has contracts with various community agencies to provide specialized services to families in order to prevent the need for foster care placement. Currently, the department provides preventive services to more than 1000 families.
Referrals
Most referrals for service are made by DHS workers who assess whether a family needs additional help to maintain their children at home. Referrals may also come from community sources - medical providers, schools, private individuals, etc. Community based referrals are made through the Monroe County Department of Human and Health Services Preventive Unit at 691 St. Paul Street, 3rd floor, 753-5821. The team screens referrals for eligibility and helps to select an appropriate program for each client.
Eligibility Standards
Families whose children are at risk of foster care are eligible for preventive services. Services must be aimed at preserving family functioning so that foster care can be avoided.
Preventive services can be Court Ordered or can be initiated when at least ONE of the following conditions exists:
- Health and Safety
A child has been physically or emotionally harmed by a parent other than by accidental means or the potential for such harm exists. - Child Service Need
A child has special needs for intensive services that cannot be met by a parent or caretaker. These special needs must result from a diagnosed condition that impairs ability, or from behavior that results in severe management problems or is a danger to the child or others. - Parent Service Need
The parent or caretaker’s emotional, mental, physical, or financial condition seriously impairs their ability to care for the child. - Pregnancy or birth
An unborn or newborn child is at risk of placement due to mother’s inability to perform parental functions. - Parent Unavailability
A parent is hospitalized, imprisoned, deceased, or their whereabouts are unknown. - Parent Unwillingness/Refusal
A parent is unwilling to maintain their child in the home or has expressed intention of surrendering the child.
Preventive Services also can be given to children at risk of replacement in foster care and to children who will return home sooner from foster care if the service is provided.
All services are offered without regard to race, creed, national origin, sex, disability, financial or marital status. However, some projects offer specialized services designed for targeted client populations.
General Counseling Programs
CATHOLIC FAMILY CENTER - PREVENTIVE PROGRAM
CFC provides individual, marital, group, and family counseling to families whose children are at risk of foster care placement. It provides a range of counseling to families experiencing conflict and disorganization that may be attributed to alcohol and drug abuse by any family member, physical abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, emotionally disturbed children and/or parents, developmentally disabled parent and young parents, and failure to thrive infants. Assessments and counseling services are offered in the family home.
Number of contracted slots: 90
FAMILY SERVICE OF ROCHESTER - PREVENTIVE PROGRAM
FSR provides intensive home-based family therapy to prevent physical abuse and neglect, avoid foster care placement, and hasten the return of children in placement. 24-hour emergency phone coverage is available through Lifeline. FSR is a certified alcoholism and mental health clinic. Services to the hearing impaired provided (TTY: 585 232-1237).
Number of contracted slots: 46
HILLSIDE CHILDREN'S CENTER - GENERALIST PROGRAM
This is a home based service that provides counseling and direct intervention to prevent out-of-home placement or hasten reunification of families with children in placement. Services include counseling support, information, advocacy and case coordination.
Number of contracted slots: 176
IBERO-AMERICAN ACTION LEAGUE
The Ibero Family Support Unit offers a comprehensive service to Hispanic families at risk of entry into the foster care system or in need of assistance in reunifying foster children with the family. The program has a two-fold approach to family counseling, by offering direct casework and counseling to families and also by providing support services such as parent-training, homemaker services, and respite care. The Families for Recovery Program is also available through the general counseling program. Families for Recovery is a specialized program open to those families referred by Monroe County Department of Human and Health Services, where an individual family member has been identified as suffering with an addiction which is having an impact on current family functioning. This program provides a home-based, family-focused intervention to families suffering with the impact of addiction.
Number of contracted slots: 38
SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION AND CARE OF CHILDREN - FAMILY OUTREACH PROGRAM
This program provides in-home counseling to families and their children emphasizing personal/family management. Other services include assessment, referral, and case management. Parent support groups with adjunct child care are offered in an effort to break through parent isolation and provide children with alternate adult role model(s). Parent education seminars are offered on various topics. One caseworker is assigned to work primarily with families from Clara Barton School #2.
Number of contracted slots: 35 (12 for Clara Barton School #2)
URBAN LEAGUE OF ROCHESTER - FAMILY CONSULTANT PROGRAM
The Family Consultant Services Division of the Urban League is designed to assist all families with children at risk of foster care placement, and to increase the accessibility of preventive service programs to urban families. Services include family counseling, parenting skills training, and employment skills development. A special emphasis is placed upon African-American urban families.
Number of contracted slots: 39
Adolescent Parenting Programs
TEENAGE PARENT SUPPORT SYSTEM (TAPSS)
TAPSS, a program of the Society for the Protection and Care of Children (SPCC), provides weekly neighborhood-based parenting support groups within the City of Rochester. The program is open to parents through age 21. Services focus on parenting education and life skills development. Transportation and child care are provided for group sessions. Individual in-home casework is also provided to all preventive services participants, based on an action plan designed by client and worker.
Number of contracted slots: 13
YOUNG FAMILIES
Affiliated with Highland Hospital’s RAMP (Rochester Adolescent Maternity Program), this program provides services to at-risk pregnant and parenting adolescents. This program is based upon a continuity of medical and social work services that start in the prenatal period and may continue until the child’s second birthday. Services include case management, counseling, advocacy, paraprofessional outreach, parenting skills training, social activities and crisis intervention.
Number of contracted slots: 23
PINS, JD, and Diversion Services
Some projects are designed to divert young people (under age 16 years) from the court system prior to petition. Other programs work with youths who have been Adjudicated PINS or JD. All programs work to prevent placement when the youngster has exhibited patterns of truancy, runaway, ungovernable behavior, or criminal activity.
BERKSHIRE - ALTERNATIVES TO PLACEMENT (ATP)
This program provides a clinical in-home, community-based, intensive service to youth up to age 16 who have been adjudicated Juvenile Delinquent (JD) or Person in need of Supervision (PINS) by Monroe County Family Court. Youth served by this program would otherwise be placed in institutional care. Services include clinical and casework counseling services to the entire family with focus on the identified youth. Services are home-based and the program will be linking families to existing opportunities and services within their neighborhoods. Families must reside in the northeast quadrant of the city. ATP is a joint venture between Monroe County Department of Probation and Preventive Services. Clinical services will be provided by Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth. Referrals to the Preventive Unit come from Probation.
Number of contracted slots: 18
CRESTWOOD CHILDREN'S CENTER - PINS/JD DIVERSION PROGRAM
This program provides outreach and supportive counseling to help youth and families. The program coordinates existing community services into an individualized service plan. Referrals are made to the Preventive Unit by the Probation Department or through the community.
Number of contracted slots: 40
HILLSIDE CHILDREN'S CENTER - GENERALIST PROGRAM
This is a home-based program that provides counseling and direct intervention for families with youth at risk of placement through entrance into the Family Court system via JD or PINS petitions.
Number of contracted slots: 55
JUVENILE INTENSIVE SUPERVISION PROGRAM (JISP)
This program provides an in-home, community-based intensive service to youth up to age 16 who have been adjudicated Juvenile Delinquent (JD) or Person In Need of Supervision (PINS) by the Monroe County Family Court. Youth served by this program would otherwise be placed outside of their home. Services include: direct casework, case coordination, in-home contacts, clinical services and wraparound funds. JISP is a program of the Monroe County Probation Department. Referrals are made to the Preventive Unit exclusively by the Probation Department.
Number of contracted slots: 30
URBAN LEAGUE OF ROCHESTER - SOUTHWEST AREA YOUTH PROGRAM
This is a neighborhood-based program designed to serve youth ages 8-15 years and their families. Families must reside in the southwest area of Rochester. Youth must be adjudicated PINS/JD or exhibiting PINS/JD type behaviors. The program is located at the Southwest Community Center at 275 Bronson Avenue. In home family counseling services are provided to include improving parent/child interaction, child behavior management skills, support groups, education and career assistance, and development of a program of recreational and enrichment activities.
Number of contracted slots: 15
Crisis Intervention
CATHOLIC FAMILY CENTER - SEXUAL ABUSE ASSESSMENT/CRISIS INTERVENTION
This program provides immediate, home-based services to help the family address issues surrounding the child’s disclosure of abuse.
Number of contracted slots: 12
HILLSIDE CHILDREN'S CENTER - FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM
This is an extremely intensive in-home crisis intervention service that deals with families whose children are at imminent risk of foster care placement. Social workers employ a number of counseling and educational methods in their work with families. Families enroll in this program for four to six weeks, and receive up to 10 hours of service each week as well as 24-hour on call coverage. Families who need further services are referred to community agencies for ongoing services.
Number of contracted slots: 12
Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs
CATHOLIC FAMILY CENTER - SEXUAL ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM
The Catholic Family Center’s Sexual Abuse Assessment/Crisis Intervention services are primarily home based with periodic home visits, as required by Monroe County Department of Human and Health Services.
Number of contracted slots: 12
FAMILY SERVICE OF ROCHESTER - THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES TO SEXUAL ABUSE (TASA)
This program is designed to prevent further exploitation of children who have been sexually abused. TASA provides individual, group, and family therapy to victims and to the families in which the abuse has occurred.
Number of contracted slots: 48
LINDEN OAKS SEXUAL ABUSE TREATMENT SERVICE
Linden Oaks is a comprehensive program providing family, individual and group therapy with incest victims, offenders and family members. The objectives of this program are: 1) Early intervention - to provide support during the crisis following disclosure and facilitate engagement in treatment; 2) Total family involvement - to support the integrity of the family unit and facilitate open communication among family members; 3) Close teamwork with Child Protective Services and law enforcement to model healthy functioning and role clarification.
Number of contracted slots: 7
Other Resources
CATHOLIC FAMILY CENTER - FAMILIES TAKE TIME
Families Take Time (FTT) is an early intervention program of intensive home based services to families of children age 0 to 36 months who are either diagnosed with failure to thrive, pediatric under nutrition, or appear to be at risk of developing failure to thrive. A child at risk of failure to thrive might be experiencing difficulty with or inadequate feeding, lack of nurturing, other signs of neglect, or an established diagnosis of FTT, normally without a prior or current hospitalization.
Number of contracted slots: 12
HILLSIDE CHILDREN'S CENTER - VISITING FRIENDS
This home-based program is staffed by trained paraprofessional friends who offer practical and emotional support to families whose children are at risk of foster care placement.
Number of contracted slots: 82
LIFETIME ASSISTANCE, INC. - FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR PARENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Through this program, intensive support and training to parents with developmental disabilities and their children is offered in order to prevent foster care placements. This program has as its objectives: 1) To provide intensive training and support services to each family member; 2) To train and provide opportunities for all family members to integrate into their neighborhood. This includes but is not limited to education, social activities, recreation, and other life enriching experiences; 3) To assist in reunification of families where children are currently in Foster Care placements. This service is provided in the home, with a minimum of twice a week visits.
Number of contracted slots: 14
MT. HOPE FAMILY CENTER
Mt. Hope Family Center offers educational and counseling services to families whose children are at risk of placement due to a history of or current abuse or neglect. Families meeting the admission criteria will be eligible for the following programs:
Parent-Child Attachment
This program provides an intensive treatment program for children between the ages of 3 to 5 and their caregivers. Psychotherapy focuses on the relationship between parent and child. Special attention is placed on understanding the impact of the parent’s history on current caregiving abilities. Because of the nature of Attachment therapy, it is critical that the caregiver is motivated and committed to the therapeutic process.
Number of contracted slots: 30
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy is provided for 16 weeks for depressed parents/caregivers. As depressive symptoms decrease and interpersonal functioning improves, the expectation is that parents will be more emotionally available and responsive to their children which will lead to more positive parent-child relationships and more competent child development.
Number of contracted slots: 2
Child Behavioral Therapy
Four to six months of child focused treatment are provided for children 6 to 16 years old. There are some slots available for children 3 to 5 years old as well. This approach will help children learn new coping skills and more adaptive behaviors and is effective with impulsive, aggressive children as well as children who present as depressed and withdrawn.
Number of contracted slots: 18
Parenting Skills Development
The Incredible Years Basic Parenting Program, a research based curriculum for parents of 2 to 8 year old children is offered for 12 weeks. Transportation within the city limits is provided along with a light lunch.
Number of contracted slots: 12
After School Program
The After School Program that runs from October to May, that provides group work 1 day per week for children ages 6-12 that focuses on improving children’s interpersonal relations with both peers and adults by working on children’s social and problem solving skills.
Number of contracted slots: 40
Download the Incredible Years Parenting Program Schedule (43k PDF).
Preventive Services Program Contacts
Olga Agron
Phone: 585 753-5776
- Ibero
- Ibero Families for Recovery
- Mt. Hope After School
- Mt. Hope Parent/Child Attachment Program
- Mt. Hope Foster Family Treatment
- Mt. Hope Parenting
- Mt. Hope Child Therapy
- Mt. Hope Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Lifetime Assistance (LAI)
- SPCC Supervised Visitation
Mary Corbitt
Phone: 585 753-5792
- Hillside Children’s Center Family Preservation
- Hillside Children’s Center Generalist
- Strong Health Social Work Preventive Program
Gladys Garcia
Phone: 585 753-5823
- Day Care
- WMS recerts
Paula Kittelberger
Phone: 585 753-5775
- Supervises day care liaison
- Referrals from DHHS management staff
- Transferred-in cases
- CCRS entry
- St. Joseph’s Villa After Care
- St. Joseph’s Villa General Counseling
- Catholic Family Center Sexual Abuse Crisis Intervention (CI)
- Catholic Family Center Sexual Abuse
- Family Service of Rochester
- Family Service of Rochester TASA
- Linden Oaks Sexual Abuse Treatment Services
Karen Miller
Phone: 585 753-5825
- Catholic Family Center
- Catholic Family Center Families Take Time (Failure to Thrive)
- Catholic Family Center Sexual Abuse Program
- Catholic Family Center Families for Recovery (Substance Abuse)
Beatrice Parks
Phone: 585 753-5826
- Family Service of Rochester - Child Protective/Preventive
- Urban League Family Consultant Program
- SPCC Family Outreach Trauma Program
- Teenage Parent Support System, Inc. (TAPSS)
Alma Thomas
Phone: 585 753-5824
- Berkshire Farms Alternative to Placement
- Cayuga Home for Children Functional Family Therapy
- In-Home Diversion
- JISP (Probation)
Juvenile Justice (PINS)
Diversion
Monroe County has long been a leader in the diversion movement for court involved youth. The Monroe County Department of Human Services has been instrumental in establishing the local diversion system which began in the early 1980s and continues today. Monroe County Department of Human Services, through Preventive Services and Foster Care, funds several pre-court diversion programs: Hillside Diversion Program, Cayuga Home for Children FFT Diversion Program and Hillside Children’s Center Enhanced Diversion Program (formerly PINS Respite). These program are part of a broader continuum of diversion services. The Preventive Services Unit also funds two (2) post adjudication diversion programs: Berkshire Farms Alternatives to Placement Program and Monroe County Probation’s Juvenile Intensive Supervision Program. Diversion Services can be accessed through the Monroe County Probation Department. Contact PINS Services at 585 753-3765.
Detention
Monroe County Department of Human Services is responsible for providing detention care for youth. In Monroe County the Children’s Center, which is a unit within Department of Human Services, provides secure detention services to youth who are alleged to be juvenile delinquent or juvenile offenders. The facility is certified for 45 beds. This is a regional facility thus, youth may come from as far away as NY City, Albany, etc. The majority of youth, however, are from Monroe County. Monroe County contracts with Hillside Children’s Center for 45 non-secure detention beds. These beds are a configuration of group homes and group care. Youth placed in non-secure detention beds are alleged to be PINS youth, though occasionally juvenile delinquents will be placed in a non-secure bed, based on individual needs.
Placement
Monroe County’s concern over placement numbers and costs lead the County to establish a process by which all PINS and JD youth being considered for placement will be conferenced and alternatives to placement will be considered. This process is called Alternative Program Review (APR) Committee. The APR Committee is comprised of representatives from the Monroe County Office of Probation—Community Corrections, DHS, Office of Mental Health, CCSI and OCFS. The Committee meets twice weekly to conference youth and suggest other appropriate alternatives to placement. Monroe County family Court places about 120 youth annually with MCDHS as either a PINS or JD. MCDHS is responsible for locating a placement for these youth, facilitating the youth’s movement to placement and then planning for the youth’s return to the community after their term of placement has ended. The unit most active with these youth is the Residential Services Unit (formerly special placement unit and Indirect Care Team I.)
Monroe County’s high placement rates and in-care rates for youth in foster care lead to the development of the Youth and Family Partnership Program which is an alternative to residential placement for youth under 16 who are the subject of a PINS or JD adjudication and have mental health diagnosis. The program was designed by a cross systems team comprised of staff from Monroe County Department of Social Services; Office of Mental Health, CCSI, Inc., and Rochester/Monroe County Youth Bureau. To learn more about this exciting new program. Several years ago, MCDHS identified a need for more intensive aftercare services. MCDHS contracts with St. Joseph’s Villa for a intensive aftercare program for youth placed with DHS who are returning to the community from residential placement. MCDHS also contracts with the Office of Probation-Community Corrections for an aftercare program for returning from probate facilities.
Planning
MC DHS’s Juvenile Justice Services Planner serves as liaison between the department and the juvenile justice system. The JJSP works closely with other government units and community programs to ensure a continuum of services for justice involved youth and their families. MCDHS has actively been working with other key stakeholders in the community to plan for the implementation of PINS 18. JJSP also serves as the County’s PINS Coordinator and is responsible for submission of the annual NYS PINS plan to DECA.
To contact the Monroe County Department of Social Services, Children and Family Services Division, Juvenile Justice Planner, please call 585 753-6444.
Special Initiatives
The Children and Family Services Division of the Monroe County Department of Human Services takes part in important initiatives and collaboratives in order to ensure quality children, family, and adult services.
These include:
- Child Abuse Prevention Campaign
- Children and Family Services Subcommittee
- Alternatives to Residential Placement
Child Abuse Preventive Campaign
The goal of the Child Abuse Prevention Campaign is to increase community action and involvement to prevent and improve the reporting of child abuse and neglect.
Three outcomes are expected.
- Increase the percent of “true” positive reports of child abuse/neglect from mandated reporters.
- Reduce the incidence of shaken baby deaths and inquiries.
- Improve parenting skills through the modeling of positive behaviors.
Proposed Actions/Strategies
The Child Abuse Prevention Campaign will use social marketing, strategies to influence community, parent and mandated reporter knowledge of abuse/neglect causes and increase positive action on behalf of children. Baseline research on current community knowledge and attitudes has been completed and overall themes have been selected. Year 2001 and 2002 strategies include the development and delivery of high quality mandated reporter training, and production and delivery of public messages to educate about/prevent shaken baby injuries/deaths. A Positive Parenting component will be developed in subsequent years.
Lead Partnerships
Monroe County Department of Social Services and the Monroe County Health Department.
For more information please contact the Administrator for Child and Family Services, at 585 753-6431.
Download the Child Abuse Prevention Campaign PowerPoint Presentation (367k PPS).
Download the free Microsoft Office Online Viewer.
Children and Family Services Subcommittee
The Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) advises the Monroe County Commissioner of Human Services, makes recommendations, fosters greater community interest in the administration of Social Services, and makes such reports when necessary.
The Children and Family Services Subcommittee serves the CAC in regard to the Children and Family Services Division, and is comprised of community, agency and consumer representatives from this area of service delivery.
The Children and Family Services Subcommittee meets six times a year, typically on the second Tuesday of the month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at 111 Westfall Road in Suite 660.
If you are interested in being considered for membership, please contact 585 753-6298.
Alternatives to Residential Placement
Monroe County’s high placement rates and in-care rates for kids in foster care led a group of individuals from Monroe County Department of Social Services, Mental Health, Probation, and the Rochester-Monroe County Youth Bureau, to come together to: “Propose a new, integrated service delivery and funding approach for children at risk of out-of-home placement and their families that will improve outcomes at both client and system levels.”
This project, Alternatives to Residential Placement, developed a system of wraparound services that was implemented in April of 2002.
View a Powerpoint presentation for a more detailed description of this exciting project that may change the way Monroe County provides services to youth at-risk for foster care.
Download the Child Abuse Prevention Campaign PowerPoint Presentation (367k).
Download the free Microsoft Office Online Viewer.
For more information, please contact 585 274-6407.
