NYS: $17.2 million to strengthen social services helping vulnerable families achieve financial stability

Governor’s family-centered services initiative supports local departments that serve hundreds of thousands of low-income families across New York

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced $17.2 million in awards through the Family-Centered Services initiative to strengthen social services that help vulnerable families achieve financial stability. Her team said, “This funding will help local social services departments throughout New York to hire more staff as they continue serving hundreds of thousands of low-income families statewide.”

Hochul said, “We’re strengthening the critical resources that help struggling New Yorkers meet their essential needs and transition to economic security. By giving local social services departments the funding to hire more staff and bolster operations, we can bring more families out of poverty and into a brighter future.”

The $17.2 million awarded includes investments in local social services departments in regions throughout the state, including $2,480,771 for Western New York.

The Family-Centered Services initiative was first announced in the 2024 State of the State address. A press release noted, “The initiative addresses the challenges of family poverty by ensuring local social services departments across the state will have trained staff available to provide targeted interventions that support the entire family. This includes assisting families with complex needs such as mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, substance use disorders, and those experiencing homelessness or domestic violence.

“The funding will enable local departments to hire from one to seven full-time credentialed or appropriately experienced staff, depending on the size of the county’s caseload. The new staff will provide a range of case management services that could include in-depth assessments, crisis intervention, resource navigation and peer support to stabilize household conditions, among others.

“Local departments will tailor their initiatives to meet the unique needs of the households they serve. Some may choose to focus on the needs of homeless families or households facing mental health conditions, while others may focus more on encouraging paths to employment. Families will be referred to the program based on locally developed criteria.”

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, “The causes of poverty are often complex, and addressing them requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the specific needs of each family. We are grateful to Gov. Hochul for recognizing the power of the Family-Centered Services initiative so social services districts are better equipped to help caregivers achieve financial stability and family well-being.”

Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, “We are proud to stand with Gov. Hochul and our agency counterparts to continue the efforts of removing some of the structural barriers to self-sufficiency and overcoming poverty. Access to services and supports that address basic needs can be lifechanging; hence, the necessity to invest in safety nets, including more staffing and training. Through the Family-Centered Services Initiative, we are expanding and strengthening the workforce, which will assist families with competing and compelling needs.”

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, “All New Yorkers should have a home where they can live and thrive within their community. These critical wrap-around services help individuals and families successfully move forward with greater stability and financial security, which in turn supports mental wellness. I commend Gov. Hochul for making it a priority of her administration that our families in need can access these critical services and supports.”

Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “Access to critical social services is vital to supporting domestic violence survivors and their families in their journey to healing and financial independence. Thank you, Gov. Hochul, for this funding, which will help those in their times of need. Ensuring there are dedicated and specially trained support staff to help survivors and others going through difficult times shows New York’s continued commitment to supporting OPDV’s mission of being survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive.” 

New York Public Welfare Association Executive Director Paul Brady said, “This funding will provide a much-needed boost to local social services districts and enable them to better serve some of our most vulnerable families by helping them overcome barriers to connecting with the services they need. The Family-Centered Services initiative represents an innovative approach to addressing family poverty that underscores the importance of ongoing collaboration between the state and local governments that benefits all New Yorkers.” 

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services President and CEO Lori VanAuken said, “We are thrilled that additional resources are coming into our community to support families as they work toward greater financial security. As an agency that has historically served families living in poverty, funding of this magnitude can make a transformational difference to the lives of the people we serve. We look forward to our continued partnership with New York state and our local Department of Human Services.”