This program has been developed by your County Executives and the County Legislatures to help lower the prescription drug cost for County residents. There is absolutely no charge to you or the County to belong to this program. This card was designed to be used if you do not have insurance or if something is not covered by your current insurance program. This card cannot be used in conjunction with another insurance program in order to discount your co-pays or deductible. Click the ProAct link under the Hot Topics section on this website for further information.
The Day Care Unit determines eligibility of families for day care subsidies and promotes quality day care in our community.
ERIE.GOV | Your information resource from the government of Erie County, New York
Welcome to the Department of Social Services
Rath County Office Building
95 Franklin Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 858-8000
Carol Dankert-Maurer, Commissioner of Social Services
ECDSS and County Executive Poloncarz participate in the Million March Against Child Abuse and Neglect in downtown Buffalo on April 22nd.
DSS News of the Week
MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
Erie County has over 700 children and youth currently in the Erie County Department of Social Services foster care system. The best outcome is that these children will be returned to their parents, following their placements. Others will find permanent homes with relatives or with the adults who began as Foster Parents but choose to become adoptive parents. Some will continue to wait for stability in their lives while being in a system they did not choose. Citizens of Erie County are helping these children by making sure that they are not the “forgotten children.”
Many of our foster children have been able to lead successful lives, due to the love and support provided by foster parents. For instance, Louis, one of four brothers, lived in several foster homes as well as a residential center. He was adopted in 2012 and is currently attempting to earn his GED, as well as working a part-time job. Ronny, from a family with developmental disabilities, was also adopted in 2012, after being in both foster and residential care. His new “mom” is his aunt who became certified as a foster parent; she is committed to making Ronny’s life better by making sure he gets the help he needs. Maggie and her sister both entered foster care, where they moved many times and had a troubled sibling relationship. Since 2012, both sisters have been adopted by different families and look forward to visits with one another. Maggie attends college and has a B average.
Despite unfortunate situations causing these children to be removed from their parents, other adults have now provided the permanency, stability, direction, and nurturing that is needed. Foster parents serve both these children and our community by stepping into their lives to give them the tools they need to succeed in school, relationships, and eventually jobs. Many foster parents are role-models for the child’s biological parents and although they develop bonds with these children, they unselfishly make a home for them, knowing that one day, the child may return to their family of origin.
To give foster youth the support they need, we applaud our caseworkers, foster parents, relative caregivers, judges, and attorneys who are dedicated to making a difference. All of these persons have a willingness to keep trying so that children have meaningful ties to caring adults. If you would like to help a child in need, contact the Erie County Department of Social Services at 858-7274 for more information.
ERIE COUNTY SEES INCREASED NEED FOR BILINGUAL AND SPANISH-SPEAKING FOSTER PARENTS
Department of Social Services Hosting Outreach Events to Provide Information, Guidance
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County is currently experiencing a critical need for bilingual and Spanish-speaking foster homes, with approximately ten percent of children in foster care of Hispanic origin. At present there are not enough Hispanic foster homes in the County to provide Spanish-speaking homes to allow these children to have an experience matching their family of origin experience. The Erie County Department of Social Services is hosting a series of informational events to spread the word in the Hispanic community about the need for such homes.
Children experience strong reactions when they must be temporarily removed from their home for reasons of safety, abuse, or neglect. These feelings can be increased when a child is placed in a home that does not reflect his or her culture, community, or even language.
The next event in this initiative is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2013 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at Hispanics United of Buffalo at 254 Virginia St., Buffalo NY 14201.
Bilingual and Spanish-speaking staff members from the Department of Social Services will be staffing an informational table where they will be available to answer questions and provide information and guidance to community members who may wish to learn more about the process of becoming a foster parent. Workers from partner agencies in the community will be on hand to broaden community response.
For more information on becoming a foster parent, please call (716) 858-7274.
(Spanish version follows.)
EL CONDADO DE ERIE PERCIBE LA NECESIDAD ACRECENTADA
DE PADRES SUSTITUTOS QUE SEAN BILINGUES E HISPANOPARLANTES
El Departamento de Servicios Sociales Presenta una Serie de Eventos Informativos
CONDADO DE ERIE, NY— El Condado de Erie tiene una necesidad crítica de padres de cuidado sustituto que sean bilingües e Hispanohablantes. Alrededor de diez por ciento de los niños en cuidado sustituto en el Condado de Erie es de origen hispano. Nosotros no poseemos suficientes hogares de cuido sustituto hispanas en el Condado de Erie para proporcionar hogares que sean bilingües que permitieran a estos niños tener una experiencia que iguale a su familia de origen. El Departamento de Servicios Sociales del Condado de Erie presenta una serie de eventos informativos que concienticen esta necesidad en la comunidad hispana.
Los niños experimentan reacciones traumatizantes cuando deben ser removidos temporeramente de su hogar por razones de seguridad, abuso, negligencia o descuido. Estos sentimientos pueden ser acrecentados cuando un niño es colocado en un hogar que no refleje su cultura, la comunidad, y más aún su idioma.
El próximo evento de esta iniciativa ha sido planificado para el miércoles, mayo 8 del 2013 desde la 1:00 de la tarde hasta las 5:00 de la tarde en el edificio de Hispanos Unidos de Buffalo localizado en el 254 de la calle Virginia en Buffalo, NY 14201.
Los empleados bilingües e Hispanohablantes del Departamento de Servicios Sociales proveerán información y estarán disponibles para contestar preguntas y proporcionar información y guía a los miembros de la comunidad que deseen aprender acerca de cómo convertirse en un hogar de cuido. Se unirán a nuestros esfuerzos trabajadores de las agencias comunitarias comprometidos a nuestra lucha social para así tener una respuesta impactante en la comunidad.
Para más información sobre los hogares de cuido sustituto favor de llamar (716) 858-7274.
Vision Statement
We envision a community where children, adults and families are healthy and safe and enjoy a quality life. As a responsive and efficient organization, we seek to continually engage the community in defining the role of Social Services.
Mission Statement
To engage people in need and provide a broad range of efficient and effective assistance and services with community partners to facilitate a brighter future for the people of Erie County.
Department Highlights
The Day Care Unit determines eligibility of families for day care subsidies and promotes quality day care in our community.
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) assists families and individuals by reducing their heating/cooling costs.
You may be qualified to save money on your telephone bills through the Lifeline and Link-up Telephone Service Programs.
Erie County residents can apply online for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Benefits.