TANF FOR COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
- OPCA issues a Request for Proposals for three to four programs supported by TANF funding. Eligible program participants will have incomes that fall below 200 percent of the federally established poverty level. Targeted program services include job preparation, employment, and retention and family reunification and parenting skills. Deadline for submission is 4 P.M. Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Wednesday, May 23, 2007.
New York State first supported criminal justice programs in 2000 with an innovative use of federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding. That funding resulted in the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternative's (OPCA) TANF for Community Corrections Program. The TANF for Community Corrections Program is twenty-one programs administered by OPCA that bring about responsible parenting, gainful employment and reduced recidivism among the criminal justice population.
In collaboration with the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), OPCA issues contracts annually to the 21 community based organizations and local government programs totaling $4 million.
Each of these programs addresses one or more of the four federally established TANF purposes:
- provide services to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;
- end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage;
- prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and;
- encourage the formation and maintenance of two parent families.
Programs target custodial and noncustodial parents as well as adult relatives who are the primary caretakers of eligible children. These programs also address job readiness and employment for probationers, parolees, and other individuals involved with criminal justice who are among the most difficult to place into jobs. They may also provide family focused interventions, life skills, or basic education as well as case management and referral services for mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment.
Fatherhood Programs
Employment Specific Programs
Programs For Women
Family Programs
"KIDS NEED THEIR DADS"
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It is critical that parents who are under criminal justice supervision remain in compliance with the conditions of their supervision and adhere to their responsibilities to their children. Child support payments, in addition to being a court ordered obligation, can also represent the first step in responsible parenting.
The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, in collaboration with OPCA, produced a video depicting fathers who were prior offenders discussing how parenting assisted them in recovery. The video was aired as part of the March 18th statewide teleconference by OPCA and the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance entitled "Partners for Children."
Fatherhood Programs
Center for Employment Opportunities, Inc .
Mindy S. Tarlow, Executive Director
New York City (212) 422-4850
A responsible fatherhood program that provides employment services and mediation to assist fathers in re-entering often fragile family relationships.The Fortune Society Right Step Program
Peggy Arroyo, Senior Director
New York City (212) 206-7070
Designed for non-custodial fathers, this program provides parenting training, legal advice, and education.The Osborne Association
Elizabeth Gaynes, Executive Director
New York City (718) 707-2600
A number of successive programming offering intensive re-entry preparation and client-specific release plans for a community-based case management approach focused on vocational preparation and families.Palladia, Inc.
Richard McGuire, Program Coordinator
New York City (212) 348-7548
Enhanced vocational/educational training and job preparation programs providing individual, group, and family counseling and parenting skills workshops.
Employment Specific Programs
Cattaraugus County Probation Department
Raymond Paladino, Senior Probation Officer
Cattaraugus County (716) 373-8047
Family services and on-the-job training program in collaboration with the County Department of Social Services and One Stop job center.Education and Assistance Corporation TASC
Susan Timler, Division Director
New York City (516) 539-0150
Intensive, employment-focused case management to counter relapse to substance abuse for the TASC (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime) client.Education and Assistance Corp. Women's Opportunity Resource Center
Diane Gaines, Program Director
Nassau County (516) 483-0336
A comprehensive education and vocational program providing business education, life skills, parenting skills, and employment preparation.St. Lawrence County Probation Department
Francine M. Perretta, Probation Director
St. Lawrence County (315) 379-2230
Program providing job preparation and family based assessments with the County Department of Social Services and One Stop job center.Wildcat Service Corporation
Al Farina, Senior Vice President
New York City (212) 209-6000
This program provides job preparation and various levels of job placement. It also provides life skills workshops and counseling to help participants succeed in the labor market.
Programs for Women
Center for Community Alternatives
Kathleen O'Boyle, Deputy Director
New York City (212) 691-1911
Program offering in-depth, strength-based assessments plus family case management directed at job preparation, placement, and retention.Education and Assistance Corp. Women's Opportunity Resource Center
Diane Gaines, Program Director
Nassau County (516) 483-0336
A comprehensive education and vocational program that provides business education, life skills, parenting skills, and employment preparation.Edwin Gould Services for Children & Families
Stepping Stones to Success
Sr. Mary Nerney, Director
New York City (212) 410-4200
A program offering intensive case management and a variety of specialized counseling and educational groups.Project Greenhope Services for Women, Inc .
Dr. Alethea Taylor, Deputy Director
New York City (212) 369-5100
Providing an array of services for female clients graduating from residential treatment to assist them in transition to independent living.St. John's Riverside Hospital
Brian Kaley, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services
Westchester County (914) 964.7383
A program that provides intensive discharge planning and case management for twelve months after discharge.Suffolk Co. Probation Dept. Step Ahead Today (STAT)
John Desmond, Probation Director
Suffolk County (631) 852-5100
Case management program for women. Program's goal is to keep families together in the community.Women's Prison Association & Home, Inc .
Moving on Up Program
Thomas Phillips, Prevention Manager
New York City (718) 637-6800
Transitional focused program to enable women to stabilize their lives and prioritize needs so they can pursue employment.Women's Prison Association & Home, Inc.
WomenCare Program
Alexandra Villano, Program Director
New York City (718) 637-6800
A program offering pre-release planning for women, family-oriented counseling and preparation for securing employment.
Family Programs
Cattaraugus County Probation Department
Raymond Paladino, Senior Probation Officer
Cattaraugus County (716) 373-8047
Family services and on-the-job training program in collaboration with the County Department of Social Services and One Stop job center.Education and Assistance Corporation TASC
Susan Timler, Division Director
New York City (516) 539-0150
Intensive, employment-focused case management to counter relapse to substance abuse for the TASC (Treatment Alternatives to Street Crime) client.Family Nurturing Center of Central NY
Donna LaTour-Elefante, Executive Director
Oneida County (315) 738-9773
Program provides home visiting, referrals for parents and children, and case management in concert with the county Probation Department.The Fortune Society Family Services Program
Peggy Arroyo, Senior Program Director
New York City (212) 206-7070
Program provides a holistic approach providing family counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and life skills training.Onondaga County Probation Department YES Program - Youth Enhanced
Supervision
Mary Winter, Commissioner
Onondaga County (315) 435-2380
Together with the Salvation Army, this program targets non-violent probationers with youthful offender status who are themselves parents, for independent living skills, parenting education and employment.St. Lawrence County Probation Department
Francine M. Perretta, Probation Director
St. Lawrence County (315) 379-2230
A program of job preparation and family based assessments with the County Department of Social Services and One Stop job center.Suffolk County Probation Department
(Supervised Release Program)
John Desmond, Probation Director
Suffolk County (631) 852-5100
This program operates in conjunction with the department's pre-trial programs to provide direct or referred services for drug treatment, literacy, job readiness, and parenting skills training.Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health TASC
Dennis Orlowski, Director
Westchester County (914) 995-6074
Family focused intensive case management to move men and women into appropriate treatment and financial self-sufficiency.Wildcat Service Corporation
Al Farina, Senior Vice President
New York City (212) 209-6000
This program provides job preparation and various levels of job placement. It also offers life skills workshops and counseling to help participants succeed in the labor market.