Family/Caregiver Services Guide Ulster County
- The following information was presented at the 11-19-21 Ulster County Transition Council meeting and is not inclusive all services in Ulster County that support families and caregiver. For more information or to join the Ulster County Transition Council email Hillary Nichols at hnichols(@.rcal.org
- Present Community Services Providers: ACCES VR, The ARC Mid-Hudson, Ulster County Mental Health Association, and NYS Commission for the Blind, Resource Center for Accessible Living (RCAL), The Ulster County Career Center, Gateway Hudson Valley, People's Place, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and United Way of Ulster County.
- School Districts Present: Wallkill School District, Marlboro School District, Rondout Valley Central Schools, Saugerties School District
People's Place
Shara Dassie Executive Assistant People's Place: People's Place is a community resource located in Kingston NY on 17 St. James Street. 11/19/21 is the last day to register for Talking Turkey which is a Thanksgiving based food service to families. There is no income requirement however they do need to know basic household information to participate.
In addition People's place is gearing up for project Santa. A program where they distribute new unwrapped toys and winter ware to children age 0-16. Last year 2,000 children in the county were serviced from the program and they currently have collection sites throughout the county.
People Place is open M-F, with the food pantry open from 10 am-1 pm and families in need can sign up to receive food 2x's a month. The pantry also has hours on Wednesday's from 5pm-7pm. In addition to the food pantry they also have a Clothing Program that can provide free clothing to people in need.
Also available is the Bag Holiday Hunger program offers food to families for the week between Christmas and New Year's when schools are closed.
People Place has started a new Wellness Center that offer free workshops the schedule is on line you can call to sign up or drop in. Workshops include "Fiscal Friday" and other programs to address the needs of the community.
For people who cannot get to Kingston for services People Place can coordinate with them if a someone, like a case worker or family member can get to Kingston to pick up any items. However People's Place does collaborate with the KEFC, The Kingston, Emergency, and Food Collaborative, who have volunteers that can deliver food. Families in need can call them directly at 1-888-316-0879.
School Districts looking to coordinate with People's Place can call Paula Wisneski 845-338-4040 x17
More information on the People's Place please check out their website. https://www.peoplesplace.org/
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Marsha Sebro: FNAP program referred to as the Family Wellness Program; consists of 6-8 weeks consecutive 1 our lessons. To be eligible they must be a parent or caregiver of with children under 19 in the home and be receiving/eligible for: SNPA, WIC, Free or Reduced Lunch, or Medicaid. There is no paperwork and the enrollment is built into the curriculum. Lessons are available 1: 1 or for small groups of up to 10 people. Marsha is available to bring the service directly to people, as well as virtual and evening lesson are also available.
All of the information shared is researched and evidence based material targeted to support families who are struggling to eat healthy with limited food dollars. You can contact Marsha directly at mrs463@comell.edu or call her at 845-340-3990 x326
Cornell Cooperative Extension also offers the RAPP program, Relatives as Parents Program. Supports and services to kinship families, ex grandparents, Aunts, Uncles. This program is open to all kinship family and is not income based. To refer someone you can reach Kerri at KP376@cornell.edu
Jo Quiocho: SNAP educator offering 1-3 sessions. Jo works with SNAP or "food stamps" eligible groups to provide short term education. She can provide in person or virtual services and work with school districts on healthy eating or wellness in school. She can also provide support to DSS either directly with clients or offer professional development to staff. Group can range in size from 3 people to 20 people. Cornell Cooperative Extension has an office in the Hannaford Plaza in Kingston and people are welcome to stop in and get more information.
The United Way of Ulster County
Su Marcy- Executive Director of the United Way of Ulster County: Su spoke about the importance of families, parents and caregivers especially with all that families are going through right now with COVID. She listed all of the programs that the United Way in Ulster County funds and attached is an information sheet on those services.
In addition the United Way also offers the following:
Dial 211- this number is a toll free call and can provide information and referral to services for those in need https://www.2ll.org/
The United Way also has some limited availability to provide emergency assistance directly to individuals or families. If you know of a family in crisis and other services have been unable to assist them they can be referred directly to the United Way. Su shared as an example of a woman who through a series of incidents became stranded in Ulster County. She found the United Way office and they were able to coordinated a way to her to back to her home in another part of the state.
Update from UCTC members as well as additional information on family supports and services:
The ARC MidHudson- Offering virtual parent groups, and has a grant to assist individual who are home do to the pandemic opportunities for community integration
For more information on ARC services please call 845-331-4300 or visit them at https://www.arcmh.org/
Gatewav Hudson Valley- Provides benefits counseling and can support parents on benefits who need help returning to work. For more information on Gateway Hudson Valley Services you can contact them at 845-331-1261 or visit them online at www.ghv.org
RCAL - RCAL offers information and referral services to families as well as special education advocacy, benefits counseling. For more information you call RCAL at 845-331-0541 or visit them. At www.rcal.org
Other updates:
Please remember that the Ulster County Transition Council is a resource and a tool to assist young people in our community with disabilities and are always here to offer a collaborative approach to support school districts ( or anyone). Members are encouraged and welcomed to bring questions to the committee, no HIPAA information is shared and all questions are presented keeping the student or individual's confidentially in mind.