We are proud to announce that our CoC colleague, Sarah Lonergan-Rothschild, is officially an award winner! Ms. Lonergan-Rothschild’s contributions to the CoC are many, including her oversight of the very successful outreach program Project Connect. We wish her the best on her well-deserved award.
For details click here
HOPE Community Services will hold a financial literacy clinic to assist you with your personal finances, budgeting and planning. We will also discuss the importance of having an individual tax identification number (ITIN) and how to apply for one.
6:30PM - 8:00PM
Tuesday, June 7
HOPE Community Services
50 Washington Ave New Rochelle, NY
To register, please contact:
Mayra Aguilar (914) 563-2077
Outreach@HOPE-cs.org
Child care in Westchester is expensive, and we know that many families have trouble making ends meet. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you pay for child care.
Recognizing that the cost of child care is a burden for so many Westchester families and often a barrier to employment, the County raised income eligibility for its Child Care Subsidy Program in 2022, and worked with us at the Child Care Council to create the Westchester Works Program to help working parents at even higher incomes, up to 85% of State Median Income.
Westchester County has issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) to seek proposals specifically for the Homelessness & Eviction Prevention Program through housing relocation and stabilization services necessary to prevent an individual or family from moving into an emergency shelter.
Due Date:Jun 17, 2022 12:00:00 PM
Clarification Date:Jun 10, 2022 12:00:00 PM
Click the image for more information and registration
Click on the image to download as a PDF
(White Plains, NY) — Together with advocates and stakeholders from the Greenburgh, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester and Yonkers communities, County Executive George Latimer announced seven Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) in Westchester. The teams, which are co-located with the local police departments, have the responsibility of providing 24-hour mobile behavioral health crisis support when responding to emergencies. The MCRT program was a recommendation of Project Alliance, a task force created by Latimer in 2021 to help re-imagine policing in Westchester. Law enforcement training to help police effectively deescalate situations involving people with behavioral health challenges was determined a top priority, and as a result the MCRT program was formed. Now, the MCRT program is being implemented throughout the County with the Port Chester Police Department serving as the first host site.
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Thursday, May 26 2 p.m. Port Chester Police Department 350 North Main Street Port Chester, NY 10573
**Press Event will be Streamed LIVE on Facebook** https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/
Latimer said: “Every emergency, every 911 call, is different. When our police respond to an emergency and it is clear that someone is struggling with a mental health issue, we want them to be armed with the tools that they need to prevent a serious crisis before it occurs. The Mobile Crisis Response Teams are designed to provide 24hour, seven-day a week support to every community in Westchester, to make sure that police, EMTs and dispatchers have the appropriate resources to help people. Whenever possible, a mental health crisis should receive a mental health response, and that is exactly what the MCRT program does.”
Under Latimer’s leadership, the Westchester County Departments of Community Mental Health, Public Safety, Emergency Services and Social Services are instituting the recommendations of Project Alliance to help people manage behavioral health issues in the community. Through seven host police departments, teams are providing mental health crisis coverage to the following Westchester County communities:
Greenburgh PD Host Site Covers:
Ardsley PD Dobbs Ferry PD Elmsford PD Hastings-on-Hudson PD Irvington PD Tarrytown PD White Plains PD Agency: MHA of Westchester
Mount Kisco PD Host Site Covers: Westchester County Police
Bedford Hills PD Lewisboro PD New Castle PD North Castle PD North Salem PD Pound Ridge PD Somers PD NY State Police Agency: MHA of Westchester
New Rochelle Host Site Covers:
Bronxville Eastchester Mount Vernon Pelham Scarsdale Tuckahoe Agency: The Guidance Center of Westchester/Expanded team
Ossining PD Host Site Covers:
Mount Pleasant PD Pleasantville PD Sleepy Hollow PD Briarcliff Manor PD Agency: Family Services of Westchester
Peekskill PD Host Site Covers:
Buchanan PD Cortlandt PD Croton on Hudson PD Yorktown PD Westchester County PD
NY State Police PD Agency: Westchester Jewish Community Services
Port Chester PD Host Site Covers:
Harrison PD Larchmont PD Rye PD Rye Brook PD Village of Mamaroneck PD Town of Mamaroneck PD SUNY Purchase Police PD Agency: Family Services of Westchester
Yonkers PD Host Site and Expanded Team Agency: PEOPLE USA Inc.
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Michael Orth said: “This is a significant success in County Executive Latimer’s Project Alliance Initiative. Our local police departments now have direct access to MCRT to respond immediately to residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The Mobile Crisis Response Teams will help to engage individuals, address their needs, and connect them to appropriate services and supports. We are greatly appreciative of the County Departments of Public Safety and Emergency Services, local municipalities and law enforcement, and our community partners for their collaboration in developing a crisis system that will provide the right level of service for any person experiencing crisis in the most expeditious way possible.”
Public Safety Commissioner Thomas A. Gleason said: “The ability to have mental health professionals respond with police officers will help ensure the best and safest outcome when someone is in crisis. These are always challenging incidents and we look forward to working in partnership with Project Alliance to de-escalate these encounters and get people the help they need.”
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services Leonard Townes said: “Project Alliance partnerships like these are essential to the safety and well-being of Westchester residents, and draw upon the expertise of public and private agencies including Mental Health, Emergency Services, County and local law enforcement, Social Services, and community providers to respond to the needs of residents and collaborate on necessary services.”
Port Chester Police Chief Charles Nielsen said: “Port Chester PD is excited to be able to host this very important program. With this added level of support when responding to a person in crisis, our officers will be able to use both their training and the training of the MCRT to get the person the treatment that is warranted. This program is another tool to use in this ever-challenging world we live in, and it’s the Department’s hope that there will be many success stories through the MCRT program.”
Executive Vice President of Clinical Services for Family Services of Westchester Karen Fink said: “Family Services of Westchester is very excited to be a part of this innovative initiative that will help individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis get the proper support and treatment they need. This model will significantly add to our ability to reach those in crisis, and our team of mental health clinicians and peers, as first responders, will help de-escalate and build rapport so that individuals can be connected to appropriate services to ensure they receive the best possible care.”
Studio, 1 and 2 Bedroom Apartments Available
Community Center with Exercise Room, Library, Computer Room & Community Room On-Site Laundry Facilities Convenient Location
Must be over eighteen (18) years of age. Must meet income limits
An application may be downloaded by clicking the button below or requested by mail from:
Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, Front Desk/Reception
127 S. Broadway, Yonkers NY, 10701
If requesting by mail please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return.
Applications are also available to download at http://www.saintjosephs.org/
Please click here to download a flyer with more information. You can also visit NYhousingsearch.gov or more information on this project.
The mission of the Anti-Racism Evaluation & Advisory Committee is to ensure that all policies and practices of the Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness (CoC) seek to identify and dismantle systemic barriers in access to housing resources for all people experiencing homelessness in our county.
This group will work to better understand and address the root causes that place Black People & People of Color at higher risks of homelessness and facilitate change that reduce and eliminate system barriers. To achieve our goal, we will analyze internal and external data and best practices in addressing disparities, racism, and inequality within our homeless response system.
When: Wednesday, May 25th at 10am
Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Military Members and their Families teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training will demonstrate the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to appropriate care.
Mode of instruction: Participants will complete a 2-hour, self-paced online course and participate in a 7-hour, in-person instructor led training.
Date and Time: Saturday, May 14th 9am-4pm
Location: Yonkers City VFW Post 1666, 574 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704
For questions or to sign up, contact Caitlin Leon at cleon@wjcs.com
Mother’s Day Celebration
Come enjoy lunch, gift bags, raffles, kid’s crafts, activities, connections to local services and more
Saturday, May 7, 2022
10am–12pm
50 Washington Avenue
New Rochelle, NY (front parking lot)
For more details, contact shamer@hope-cs.org or (914) 380-9716
The 2022 Cooling Assistance benefit program will open May 2, 2022.
If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.
In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.
Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation, will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.
You may be eligible for a Cooling Assistance HEAP benefit if:
Your household's gross monthly income is at or below the current income guidelines for your household size as posted in the following table [see below], or
You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or
You receive Temporary Assistance (TA), or
You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone), or
You received a Regular benefit greater than $21 in the current program year or received a Regular benefit equal to $21 during the current program year and reside in government subsidized housing with heat included in your rent, and
A member of your household is a United States Citizen or qualified alien, and
You currently do not have a working air conditioner or the air conditioner you have is five years old or older, and
You did not receive a HEAP funded air conditioner within the past five years.
Your household eligibility requirements include filing an application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.
Getting the air conditioner installed
The participating Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) vendor list can be obtained by accessing the HEAP Participating vendor list. Select your county of residence, “Cooling” as the fuel type, and pressing “Go”. It will be your responsibility to maintain the air conditioner. This includes the responsibility to remove, cover, store, and/or reinstall the unit or the installation sleeve after vendor installation.
2022 HEAP Monthly Income Limits
Your total household gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:
Where to apply
You may apply for the HEAP Cooling Assistance with your HEAP Local District Contact.
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance
Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your HEAP Local District Contact or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.
The Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. open enrollment for the Westchester Works Childcare Scholarship began on April 1, 2022. To determine if you or someone you serve is eligible for help paying for child care, please see the information documents attached below.
The Greenburgh Housing Authority is accepting applications for Section 8 beginning March 8 at 9 AM. Only the first 2000 applications submitted will be accepted. Large families should apply. Applicants must apply online by following the link: www.greenburghhousing.org
The section 8 housing voucher program is a federally funded program in which the family pays no less than 30% their monthly adjusted income but no more than 40% of their monthly adjusted income for rent.
Peer Support Mentor Position in Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Competitive Salary, Full Time/Part Time Positions with Excellent Benefits
The Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc. (MHEP) is a self-help and Peer Support agency organized in 1988 to develop and strengthen self-help and mutual support activities throughout the United States. MHEP currently has Peer Support positions (P/T & F/T) open in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. The F/T position will be 37.5 hours per week with benefits and the P/T position will be 20 hours per week.
Bi-Lingual candidates are encouraged to apply
Responsibilities of these positions include but are not limited to:
Working with people in both one-to-one and group settings, facilitating peer support groups, events and activities.
Helping people establish creative community connections and assisting them to develop natural supports.
Establishing connections to community-based activities that enhance wellness, recovery and social engagement.
Engaging people in one-to-one recovery planning, using tools such as Wellness recovery Action Planning; Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
Assisting people to choose, record and achieve personal milestones.
Offering individualized advocacy and support services to help a person learn about and protect their rights and interests.
Organizing and coordinating wellness/recovery events and activities.
Qualifications:
To be considered for any of these positions a candidate must have direct, personal experience using mental health services, be comfortable talking about that experience and be confident modeling principles of recovery and wellness.
The ideal candidate will also:
Be an active team member, offering support and assistance to ongoing projects.
Be able to work independently on projects, meeting deadlines and taking initiative.
Have basic computer skills; competence in Microsoft Office required.
Demonstrating knowledge of job duties through follow-up and accurate record keeping is important.
A clean NYS Driver’s License and/or reliable transportation is required.
Candidate will have their NYS Peer certification or be in the process of obtaining certification within six (6) months of hiring. Please note that the minimum qualification for certification is a High School Diploma or GED.
MHEP is an equal opportunity employer. We actively recruit and hire qualified people who may have disabilities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or sexual orientation.
Please send resume and cover letter to Tanya Stevens, C.O.O., MHEP, Inc., at 3 Atrium Dr., Suite #205, Albany, N.Y. 12205, via e-mail to Tstevens@mhepinc.org or fax to (518) 434-3823.
ONLINE ONLY
Thursday, April 28, 2022-Friday, April 29, 2022
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The Town of Yorktown Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program announces the acceptance of preliminary applications for housing assistance during the dates of April 28th, 2022 at 12:01 am through April 29th, 2022 at 11:59 pm. ET. The list will close immediately following the aforementioned timeframe.
Pre-applications will only be accepted online. The Town of Yorktown has no preferences of any kind. Applicants do not need to rush to apply as this wait list is not on a first- come, first-served basis. All pre-applicants will have an equal opportunity of being selected. Five hundred qualified applicants will be placed on the list by random lottery.
Applicants can apply at https://www.waitlistcheck.com/NY1819-3766
The Housing Choice Voucher Program assistance covers the rent portion that exceeds approximately 30% of an eligible family’s monthly income. Any and all income-eligible households may submit a pre-application. Acceptance and/or assistance are based on income verification and other eligibility requirements.
In order to qualify, your total household income for all family members must be below the maximum income levels, based on family size as follows:
Family Size Income Limits: (income limits are current and subject to change)
1- $44,650
2- $51,000
3- $57,400
4- $63,750
5- $68,850
6- $73,950
7- $79,050
8- $84,150
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are a person with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact the Section 8 office in writing (must include a phone contact number), post marked no later than April 22, 2022.
To download this information please click on the underlined text for the English or Spanish language version.
The VITA/EITC program continues assisting in tax preparation until Monday, April 18, 2022 at the following offices:
Mount Vernon Career Center, 130 Mt. Vernon Avenue, 1st floor, Mount Vernon, New York 10550
Westchester Community College, Valhalla Campus, 75 Grasslands Road, New York 10595
Click the highlighted words to download the flyer in English and Spanish flyers for more information.
Up to $17 million in funding available to support nonprofits and religious organizations impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
Video Link to the Announcement at 17:32-25:07
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY (February 22, 2022) – The Westchester County Office of Economic Development is now accepting applications for the 2022 Westchester County Business FIRST grant program. This year’s grant program will provide up to $17 million to support nonprofits and religious organizations facing challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Applications will be accepted online starting today and the application period will remain open for about four weeks.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Our nonprofits and religious organizations have been a vital resource to the communities they support throughout the duration of the pandemic. This round of grant funding is an investment in organizations that are critical to our residents and in need of financial relief.”
Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said: “Westchester County’s nonprofits and religious organizations play an important role in our community and our economy. Many of these organizations have faced an increased demand for services, significant costs for personal protective equipment (PPE), loss of funding and other pandemic-related challenges that have impacted their operating costs and income. This grant funding will help to cover some of their expenses as they continue providing invaluable services throughout our communities.”
Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow provides immediate financial relief to organizations in Westchester County that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. This round of funding will provide qualifying nonprofits and religious organizations with grants of up to $45,000. Grants will be provided on a reimbursable basis only and recipients must provide receipts to Community Capital before any funds will be disbursed.
The County is offering technical assistance to help nonprofit and religious organizations with the application process. The goal is to ensure that the process to complete the application and submit it, along with the required documentation, isn’t a barrier to potential applicants. To facilitate this a number of experienced nonprofits will be providing support, led by Jan Fisher, Executive Director of Nonprofit Westchester. Organizations needing help applying for a grant can email Business-FIRST@westchestergov.com.
To be eligible for a grant, the organization’s primary location must be in Westchester County. The organization must be currently open with plans to stay open, or temporarily closed with plans to reopen in 2022.
Organizations who received funding from the federal government through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) are eligible to apply but the use of the 2022 Business FIRST grant funds should not duplicate purposes. Organizations who received a Business FIRST Grant in 2020 from Westchester County are not eligible for this grant opportunity, nor are organizations who received or will receive a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the SBA.
The Westchester County Business FIRST grant program is being administered by the Westchester County Office of Economic Development through the American Rescue Plan.
For more information on the application process, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/business-first-programs/grants/.
About Westchester County Business FIRST
Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow is a grant program designed to offer immediate financial relief to small businesses and nonprofits in Westchester County that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Westchester County Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life. This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. For information, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/.
Lisa Reyes (she/her/hers)
Office of Westchester County Executive George Latimer
Communications
(914)- 995- 2918
About Westchester County
Westchester County, located in the heart of the historic Hudson Valley, covers 500 square miles and has a population of just over one million. Originally home to Native Americans, who were members of the Lenape tribe, it is today a rich mix of many cultures and landscapes. The County is a blend of bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque towns as well as open spaces and a network of beautiful parks. Westchester is made up of 6 cities, 19 towns and 20 villages. Westchester County is known for top-notch public schools, and a high quality of life. The County is also an intellectual capital, boasting a highly educated workforce, competitive colleges and universities, Fortune 500 companies, world changing non-profits, and cutting-edge research centers. Westchester is led by County Executive George Latimer, who took office in January 2018 as the ninth County Executive. Using inclusion and openness as a foreground, Latimer is fighting to make Westchester a destination for all people to live, work and enjoy. Learn more about Westchester County by visiting www.westchestergov.com
Registration for Lottery
Youth ages 14 - 20 (depending on the day and month of your 21st birthday) are eligible to register for the 2022 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
Registrants must email the following information to chanele.harris@yonkersny.gov by March 31, 2022
First & Last Name (if you have two last names you must use both names when registering)
Address (include apartment number)
City, State, and Zip Code
Phone Number
Date of Birth
Email Address
Age
The registration process does not secure a position in the Summer Youth Employment Program.
If selected, via lottery, you will receive a phone call, text message or email to submit the following documents, no exceptions:
Social Security Card;
TANF Application attesting to Parent Income (will receive during application process;
New York State Identification Card from the Department of Motor Vehicles (MANDATORY);
Third or fourth marking period report card (if attending high school); and
Working Certificate/Papers (Requirement: if under the age of 18 you can obtain the working certificate/papers from the Yonkers Board of Education at One Larkin Plaza or online by presenting the following documents);
Application for Working Certificate/Papers must be completed by parent/guardian
Social Security Card, Passport, Valid Birth Certificate, School ID or New York State Non-Driver’s License
Physical Exam from Primary Care Physician (PCP) within 12 month
NYAPRS Note: Last Friday, OMH released the attached guidance informing our field, hospitals and other key stakeholders that the current “danger to self’ standards that can authorize involuntary transport and admission to a psychiatric hospital bed includes a “person’s refusal or inability to meet his or her essential need for food, shelter, clothing or health care, provided that such refusal or inability is likely to result in serious harm if there is no immediate hospitalization.”
Whereas this standard has been on the books for some time, NYAPRS and our colleagues are extremely concerned that encouragement to apply these standards more frequently might replace a more appropriate community response with a reflexive admission. In no way do we want to see anyone come to serious harm or loss of life but, at the same time, we want to ensure that the powerful tool of involuntary removal and confinement be used very carefully and judiciously.
Hospital stays must not be seen as a remedy for homelessness in place of appropriate community housing and support models. Just as the state is putting 600 hospital beds in NYC back online, the State and City should be also double the number of low threshold Safe Haven and crisis stabilization beds that are contemplated at this time, possibly using empty hotel space, and triple the number of behavioral health crisis stabilization and step down centers in NYC and in the rest of the state to provide more appropriate alternative settings for large numbers of these individuals. Recovery Options in Buffalo is developed an array of crisis programming under one roof that provides an excellent model (https://behavioralhealthnews.org/the-respite-and-recovery-peer-run-crisis-service-model/).
Increased use of inpatient psychiatric services must also lead to dramatically improved hospital discharge planning practices, ensuring access to the transitional support of a peer bridger and appropriate housing and case management for all.
We must also closely significantly raise the level of trauma informed culturally competent approaches that are used to engage, assess and possibly hospitalize individuals who already have long histories of trauma. Finally, OMH must assume strong responsibility for frequent and ongoing training and close oversight over how counties, providers and hospitals apply these standards.
OMH Expands Involuntary Admission Criteria to Include ‘Perceived Inability to Meet Basic Living Needs’
NYAPRS Report February 22, 2022
Last Friday, the NYS Office of Mental Health expanded criteria for individuals to be involuntarily taken into custody and transferred to a hospital or Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program for evaluation and possible admission.
This has historically applied to individuals who appear to be mentally ill and who are deemed to be conducting themselves in ways that are regarded as demonstrating potential dangerousness to self or to others,
The new guidance now extends involuntary admission criteria to include those who appear to be are posting a serious harm to self and others via their perceived inability to meet basic living needs (which has been often defined as “a failure to obtain necessary food, clothing, shelter or medical care” because of the impairment, even when there is no recent dangerous act.
As a result, they can be involuntary evaluated and hospitalized by:
· Involuntary Admissions on Medical Certification (“2PC”)
o Evaluation by 2 psychiatrists and leading to a period of confinement for up to 60 days (2PC admission)*
· Emergency Admission for Immediate Observation, Care, and Treatment
o Evaluation by 1 physician for an ‘emergency admission to a local psychiatric hospitals for up to 14 days.
o Staff psychiatrist must, within 48 hours after admission, examine the patient and confirm the first MD's finding that the patient meets the Emergency Standard.
· Emergency Admission to a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program
o They can remain on EA status for up to 72 hours after which they can be converted to formal involuntary admission status
*the patient, a friend or relative, or the Mental Hygiene Legal Service may request a court hearing to contest the involuntary retention at any time during such period.