New York State Self-Sufficiency Standard for 2010 Released
August 19, 2010
Ten years since the last report, with the support of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the 2010 New York State Self-Sufficiency Standard, with data for 70 family types in every county in New York State, has been released. Read More

Freedom of Information Law...May the FOIL Be With You
August 19, 2010
New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), Public Officers Law (POL), Article 6, Sections 84-90 allows the public to access the records of state and local government agencies. The legislative declaration grandly proclaims that government is the public’s business and people have the right to know the information behind governmental decision-making, access to which “should not be thwarted by shrouding it with the cloak of secrecy or confidentiality. Read More

How the Puerto Rican Birth Certificate Law Affects DSS Administered Programs
August 19, 2010
Over a quarter million of New York State’s residents are feeling the impact of a change in the law enacted by the Puerto Rican legislature. Law 191 of 2009 invalidates all Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010. Read More

Public Assistance Issues for Teens and Young Adults / Housing Advocacy to Prevent Children from Languishing in Foster Care
June 12, 2010
This presentation will address some of the benefits and assistance available to teenagers, young adults and young families, approximately ages 16-22. Benefit areas covered will include cash assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and housing resources for teens and young adults who are living on their own or aging out of foster care. Read More

Food Stamps 101
December 2, 2009
This course will cover the rights of individuals to apply for food stamp benefits; the financial and non-financial eligibility requirements of the program, including a brief summary of immigrant rules; a basic look at the food stamp budgeting methodology, including how to read a food stamp budget, and the food stamp recertification process. Read More

Emergency Assistance 101
December 2, 2009
This course provides an overview of the emergency assistance programs in New York State: Emergency Assistance to Families, Emergency Safety Net Assistance, and Emergency Assistance to Adults. The training reviews the situations that constitute an emergency, and the financial and categorical eligibility requirements for receipt of emergency assistance, and pays special attention to shelter and utility emergencies. Read More