The Family Violence Prevention Council is headed by the Department of Social Services (DSS). It is a certified provider for NYS Mandated Reporter training for child abuse identification & reporting. Provides a clearinghouse of information on parenting, abuse prevention, healthy relationships, and elder abuse in the form of: fact sheets, newsletters, videos and books.

The Child Protective Services Act of 1973 mandated the reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. The law established a Child Protective Service in each county that is required to investigate child abuse and maltreatment reports, to protect children (under 18 years old) from further, and to provide services to children, parents, and other family members involved.

The CPS unit receives reports of suspected child abuse and maltreatment from the State Central Registry 24 hours per day.

This program, currently offered by Cattaraugus Community Action and Parent Education Program, involves a strength-based approach for families and others to come together to make a plan for their child(ren) to keep them safe and provide permanency. It enables children to strengthen relationships and vital attachments with family, community, and culture. During the conference, an information sharing time is spent with the family and other key supports (either personal or professional), who review the family strengths and concerns, and to exchange information. The family then spends time to discuss and make a plan of their own. The plan is then discussed, and the Department of Social Services agrees with the plan as long as it keeps the child(ren) and is in his/her (their) best interest.

1-800-342-7472

Provides information and referral service for parents, child care professionals and other citizens who want to prevent child abuse and intervene in abusive situations. PIRC can provide callers with information and materials about child abuse and neglect, new parent and prenatal programs, parent education and support groups, services for parents under stress, services for abused children and adult survivors of abuse, local child abuse prevention programs, and New York’s Child Protective System

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Individual counseling and group support is available to victims of domestic violence and their children. Unity House also provides support groups for stalking.

For more information, call Domestic Violence Emergency Services at 518.272.5917.

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Administration of social services programs Provides: Adoption services
Arrangement of day care programs for actual or potentially abused and neglected children and for low income day care
Family planning
Counseling and referral to medical providers
Residential placement services for adults
Foster care for children
Assistance in obtaining medical and/or psychiatric care
Home management instruction
Homemaker services
Assistance with in-home personal care
Housekeeper/chore services
Assistance with routine household tasks
Housing improvement services
Assistance in obtaining house repairs and locating suitable housing
Preventive services to children
Preventive foster care counseling
Adult protective services
Child protective services
Child abuse investigation
Emergency Placement
Unmarried parents support services and care
Information and referral
Administration of Temporary Assistance programs
Family Assistance
Safety Net - Assistance for individuals and/or families
Emergency Safety Net for adults: Emergency assistance for persons already receiving SSI who encounter crisis situations
Emergency assistance to families
Administration of Medicaid and food stamp programs
Administration of Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Nursing home placements for Medicaid patients and for admissions to the Wayne County Nursing Home and Health Related Facilities

The Protective Services for Adults or APS program has the legal responsibility to investigate alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation of impaired adults, age 18 and over.


Services include: counseling for the adult and family, arranging for medical and mental health assessments, applying for benefits, coordination with law enforcement and other agencies, finding alternative living arrangements, financial management services, homemaker and housekeeper chore services within specified limits, crisis interventions such as protective court orders, and long term legal interventions, such as guardianship.

“Our Short-Term/Diagnostic Program is located on our main campus at "B Cottage" and serves youth from the age of 6 up until their 21st birthday. Children come to this program for a few different reasons. Sometimes, there is a better plan waiting for them - but it is not quite ready. Other times, there may be deeper issues that require a program of therapeutic care.

These youth are in the custody of the Department of Social Services. Referrals to this program are based on a short stay to ensure safety, well-being, and permanency. Some of our youth are assessed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, and a mental health provider to create a recommendation of treatment moving forward. While throughout residence in this program, they can attend Tilton School or their school district of origin, depending on what is best for that youth.”

NOTE: The House of Good Shepherd’s youth services are not self-referred programs. They are arranged for children who are in the custody of DSS. If one is interested in behavioral services for their child, they should first go to a preventative program. If this proves unsuccessful, they can go to a pre-PINS program through the probation system. If this proves unsuccessful, then arrange to see a family court judge.

If the kids are placed with The House of Good Shepherd, then 17 percent of the family’s income is used to cover expenses.

The Broome County Bar Assocation's Grievance Committee provides two committees to investigate complaints against lawyers: Ethics & Unlawful Practice Committee; Greivance & Fee Reconciliation Committee. Will address issues concerning Broome County Attorneys.

Adult Protective Services