Modified: January 23, 2015 2:09pm
Move of Low-Income Program Allows Easier Access for Working Families, Community Providers
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced that the Erie County Department of Social Services’ Low-Income Day Care Program office, currently located at 290 Main St. in Buffalo, will relocate to the 12th floor of the Edward A. Rath County office building at 95 Franklin St. in Buffalo effective Monday, November 11, 2013. The move, which will provide easier access to these services for working families and community providers, will also be an efficient use of already-existing space in the Rath building while eliminating both the need to rent additional space and the cost associated with it.
“This common-sense move will provide for better, more efficient delivery of services, improved communications, and will also utilize existing space here at the Rath building while obviating the need to rent outside space,” said Poloncarz. “Having the Daycare and Accounting Units in close proximity in the same building, rather than having clients or providers travel between them, will maximize their effectiveness and greatly enhance their speed in facilitating the provision of services. Additionally, it is good news for taxpayers as Erie County will no longer need to rent the space at 290 Main St.”
The Daycare Unit is responsible for providing eligibility determinations for families seeking subsidized daycare services, and serves approximately 4,500 children in a typical month. With the move, the Daycare Unit will now be just a few floors away from the Accounting Unit, which is responsible for the processing of payments for the providers of these services. The Accounting Unit currently works with over 3,000 childcare providers. A total of 23 staff will be affected by the move, which is expected to streamline the process and also effectuate better communications between the two Units.
The general intake phone number for the Program will remain the same, 858-8953. For more information on the Day Care Program, visit http://www2.erie.gov/socialservices/index.php?q=day-care .