BATH – Children in need of protection in Steuben County will receive more efficient services, pending the county Legislature’s acceptance Monday of $57,000 in state aid.
The funds from the state Office of Children & Family Services, will help the county Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Unit offer enhanced staffing and support in their investigations into reports alleging child abuse and/or neglect. Steuben DSS receives an average of 1,800 reports of suspected child abuse and or neglect each year. The reported cases are worsened by the opioid epidemic affecting state. The county Legislature also is slated to adopt a county Fair Housing Plan and apply for the state Community Development Block Grant. The grant is expected to help moderate- and low-income homeowners rehabilitate their well and septic systems.
Other agenda items include: -Transferring $88,000 from the county contingency fund to the District Attorney’s 2018 budget. The additional funds are required due to an upswing in felony cases this year.
-Transferring $105,000 from the County Route 25 Road Project to the County Route 122 Drainage Capital Project.
-Modifying and adopting Agricultural District No. 3 as a result of the district’s Eight Year Review.
