Advantage After-School

The Indian River School District and the Children's Home of Jefferson County have teamed up to create a fun and exciting after school program that meets the needs and interests of the 6th, 7th & 8th grade students at the Indian River Middle School.

After-school programs keep kids safe and smart. The program is designed to provide students with a dynamic after school program, with an intellectually stimulating curriculum that will increase their awareness, self-reliance and fun.

The programs and resources available though this initiative can help youth achieve social, emotional, physical and academic success, while developing healthy lifestyles and behaviors.

This program is offered free of charge to families in the Indian River School district, though funding provided by the NY State Office of Children & Family Services and the US Army Child & Youth Services.

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Aftercare

The Children’s Home Aftercare program assists youth and their families through a child’s transition from residential treatment or foster care in order to prevent future family disruption or out-of-home placement. A caseworker assigned to each family supports the youth in school, meeting court-mandated requirements, and participating in follow-up treatment recommended by the discharging agency.

Anger Management

The Children’s Home contracts with Community Services of Jefferson County to provide 10 week, one hour groups offered three times throughout the school year in area schools.

The Anger Management program is a fun therapeutic, learning event that paves the road for dealing effectively with conflicts and anger, as well as improving overall coping skills to reduce stress. Upon completion of the 10 week program, students have shown the ability to identify the key elements to recognizing the cues and appropriate responses to anger. the program also can impact the number of behavioral referrals and strengthen class unity.

Article 10

The Article 10 Program, administered in partnership with the Jefferson County’s Department of Social Services (DSS), assists families who have children at imminent risk of out-of-home placement. Families with children who have been or who are at risk of being abused or neglected are assigned a Children’s Home caseworker. This professional works closely with DSS and a network of community service providers to make certain that the family receives assistance that ensures the security of the children. The goal is to avoid further abuse, foster care or institutional placement, keeping children safely with their families.

CHIPS (Children’s Home Intensive Preventative Services)

The program, in partnership with Jefferson County Community Services, is designed to prevent out of home placement for youth and reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect through assisting clients and families to achieve their health and safety needs, and family and youth service needs. CHIPS is focused on serving at-risk children, aged 7-12, who reside in Jefferson County. This program is an intensive, family-focused, home and community-based alternative to institutional or foster placement.

Child Only/TANF

The Child Only/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program helps prevent children of low-income families from being placed into the foster care system and/or become abused and/or neglected. Families who currently receive Social Security Insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, Public Assistance, Food Stamps or other forms of financial assistance through Jefferson County Department of Social Services (DSS) may qualify for participation, which is voluntary. Once referred by DSS, each family is assigned a Children’s Home caseworker who acts as a liaison between the family and DSS, and helps meet the family’s needs by identifying and developing linkages to services in the community.

Homeless

Case coordinator services are provided to assist homeless persons, referred by the Jefferson County Department of Social Services, in securing permanent housing and linkages to community based services.

PINS Prevention (Over 16)

The goal of Jefferson County’s PINS Prevention and Diversion programs, operated by the Children’s Home in conjunction with the Department of Social Services and the Family Court system, is to avoid out-of-home placement and family disruption in cases of serious child misbehavior. Participation is voluntary. The programs provide intensive case management services to the entire family of identified at-risk youth over the age of 16.

New York State defines a Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) as “a person less than 18 years of age who does not attend school in accordance with the education law or who is incorrigible, ungovernable, or habitually disobedient and beyond the lawful control of a parent or other person legally responsible for such child's care, or who possesses or uses illegal or controlled substances.”

Sanctioned Families

Case management services are provided to help families, referred by the Jefferson County Department of Social Services, continue to receive benefits while working toward employment and self-sufficiency.

Single Point of Access (SPOA) for Children

Children’s Home of Jefferson County is responsible for managing Jefferson County’s Single Point of Access (SPOA) for children’s services.  The Single Point of Access is the process whereby children in the community can be referred to the appropriate service provider who can assist in meeting their identified needs.  The children’s SPOA process is specifically designed to serve children up to the age of 18 years.  The SPOA Committee consists of representatives from area service providers.  At meetings occurring twice monthly, the Committee reviews and discusses child referrals to determine eligibility for services and level of care requirements.  Community-based service providers are identified and assigned that will assist the child and their family in meeting identified needs.  Referrals to SPOA can be made by anyone including family members, service providers and school personnel. All referrals are made through the SPOA Intake Coordinator, who then meets with each identified child and their family. The purpose of the intake meeting is to gather additional information, identify child strengths and needs, and to offer advocacy services. The parent and the referring agent (teacher, counselor, etc.) are then invited to attend the SPOA Committee meeting where the child’s case will be presented. 

Single Point of Entry (SPOE) for Adults

Children’s Home of Jefferson County is responsible for managing Jefferson County’s Single Point of Entry (SPOE) for adult services.  The Single Point of Entry is the process whereby individuals in the community can be referred to the appropriate service provider who can assist in meeting their identified needs.  The adult SPOE process is designed to serve individuals 18 years of age or older.  The SPOE Committee consists of representatives from area service providers.  At monthly meetings the Committee reviews and discusses adult referrals to determine eligibility for services and level of care requirements.  Community-based service providers are identified and assigned that will assist the individual in meeting identified needs.  Referrals to SPOE can be made by the individuals themselves, or by family members or service providers.  All referrals are made through the SPOE Intake Coordinator, who then meets with each individual.  The purpose of the intake meeting is to gather additional information, identify the individual’s strengths and needs, and to offer advocacy services. The individual is invited to the SPOE Committee meeting where the person’s case will be presented. 

To make a referral, please contact SPOA Coordinator at 779-1507.

Intensive Case Management (ICM)

The Children’s Home provides intensive case management (ICM) services both to seriously emotionally disturbed children and persistently mentally ill adults who are living in the community. Services include coordination of care and linkages to other service providers. ICM services are accessed through the Single Point of Access (SPOA) and Single Point of Entry (SPOE) processes.

Supportive Case Management (SCM)

The Children’s Home provides adult Supportive Case Management (SCM) services to persistently mentally ill adults who are living in the community.  Services include coordination of care and linkages to other service providers.  Case managers provide a minimum of two face-to-face contacts for each individual on a monthly basis to support the coordination of services to the individuals.  Adult SCM services are accessed through the Single Point of Entry (SPOE) process.