The Adult Protection Program offers protective services for clients over the age of 18 who are unable to act on their own behalf due to mental or physical impairment and have no one else willing or able to assist.

The department provides various forms of assistance to citizens of Jefferson County including income support, medical assistance and comprehensive services designed to promote a higher quality of life for children, families and disadvantaged or elderly adults., Adoption, Advocacy, Child Abuse/Neglect, Child Care, Clothing, Delinquency, Emergency Shelter, Employment Counseling, Family Counseling, Financial Assistance, Foster Care, Geriatric Services, Housing/Residential Placement, Individual Counseling, Nutrition/Food, Support Groups, Transportation

Protective Services for Adults (PSA) is a state-mandated program which is provided without regard to income to assist adults age 18 or older who, because of mental or physical impairments, can no longer provide for their basic needs for food, clothing, shelter or medical care, or protect themselves from neglect, abuse or hazardous situations, and who have no one willing and able to help in a responsible manner.

These services include:

*Assess potential adult abuse or neglect and identify needs

*Arrange for appropriate community services

*Casework counseling and case management

*Homemaker/personal care services

*Money Management

*Legal interventions

*Assistance in obtaining entitlements and other general benefits and services

*Financial exploitation taskforce (education, training and service coordination.

CAP is working to alleviate poverty & empower low-income families to improve their quality of life. Provides a variety of programs and services related to financial self-sufficiency including: Programs for Individuals: Early Childhood, Special Education Advocacy. Family Action, Self-Sufficiency/Stabilization, Housing Assistance.

The Services Unit continued to fulfill its mandate to protect vulnerable children and adults. In addition, the Services division provided preventive services for children and families.

The Adult Services team deals with problems and concerns for the population of adults over the age of 18 in our community. They receive referrals from the community about adults who have a medical or emotional incapacity, are at risk of self-neglect, or are currently being abused, neglected, or exploited by someone else and have no one else willing or able to care for them. The caseworkers try to refer this population to services within the community or agencies with case management services so that their needs are met.

Some of those cases are opened to provide Adult Protective Services and caseworkers visit and monitor those adults on an on-going basis. Some Preventive cases are opened when the adult requires assistance with financial matters.

Most of the cases are dealt with in a voluntary manner, but the Ontario County Department of Social Services can appeal to the Court if a person is in immediate danger of harm and refuses assistance.

Created through the Attendance Support Program in the Olean City School District. A "Walking School Bus" is a group of children being walked to school by one or more adults. The program is aimed at reducing truancy rates, increasing safety, and promoting healthy lifestyle changes.

APS serves adults (age 18 and older) who, due to physical or mental impairments:

* are unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or other harm; or

* have no one available who is willing and able to assist responsibly.

Services provided (directly or through referral) may range from safety monitoring, linkages with other service providers (health, mental health, aging, etc.), assistance in obtaining benefits, informal money management, to appointment as a representative payee, to petitioning a court for appointment as a guardian or for some other legal intervention.

Programs that provide assistance for adults who are unable to act on their own behalf or manage their own affairs, or who are in immediate danger due to physical or emotional abuse, unsafe or hazardous living conditions, exploitation, neglect or abandonment