Certified Counselors provide free and confidential counseling to assist in solutions to budgeting, credit and debt problems. Debt repayment programs are available to assist clients if appropriate. We also provide housing counseling, pre-filing bankruptcy counseling, pre-discharge bankruptcy education and credit report services.

Loan applicants must be Orange County residents who are 18 years of age or older and who are, or have been, recipients of mental health services

Farming with family

It is critical that farm families maintain both positive business and family skills in order to be successful. NY FarmNet consultants provide free, confidential assistance in strengthening the communication skills required for farm families to make the most of their dynamic structure that is filled with daily opportunities and challenges.

•Setting goals

•Conflict management

•Management principles

•Conducting family meetings

•Financial management

•Business decision making

•Time management

•Farm succession planning

According to the National Registry of Evidence-based programs and practices (NREPP), Life Skills is “a program that aims to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors.”

In short, it teaches students the skills necessary to lead a happy, productive life. Life Skills shows students how to have positive behaviors, relationships, and develop a personal sense of well being.

The Council has programming for students 3rd to 12th grade, in addition to a ‘Transitions’ program for young adults age 16-20. A program will take six to twelve weeks, depending on grade level. Students complete worksheets, engage in discussion, and listen to short lectures for one hour, each week.

Life Skills Training

Each grade has it’s own age appropriate curriculum that cover one or more of the following skills:

◾Decision making

◾Coping with stress

◾Coping with anxiety

◾Self-Esteem

◾Self-Image

◾Violence

◾Social Skills

◾Communication

◾Risk-Taking

◾Family Communication

◾Healthy Relationships

◾Time & Money management

◾Setting Goals

Our trained Education Coordinators, and School-Based Educators provide programming throughout the Finger Lakes in; Ontario, Seneca, Yates, Schuyler, and Wayne Counties. We are available to provide programming in; schools, community spaces, summer programs, after school programs, various locations involving criminal justice populations, etc.

For more information, visit the following:

◾Elementary Programs

◾Middle School Programs

◾High-School Program

◾Transitions Program

Those facing an inability to cover your basic needs, JFS can help. We offer Interest Free Loans, a Summer Internship Program for college students, and a Jewish Children's Home Scholarship Program.

This program provides free and confidential financial coaching to help individuals and families manage their money and improve their financial future. Trained volunteers will work one-on-one to help them learn to pay bills on time, set up and follow a budget, and achieve personal financial goals.

Exploring Credit & Debt Management Issues

Making Ends Meet

One-to-One Financial Coaching

Contact:

Linda Law-Saunders

Family and Consumer Science Educator

lsl64@cornell.edu

(518) 746-2560

Did you know you should NEVER have to pay a fee for foreclosure prevention services?

Foreclosure remains an important issue in our community. If you are unsure about your ability to pay your mortgage or programs that may be available to assist you, we urge you to contact us.

Hudson River Housing offers one-on-one counseling, group information sessions, and off-site workshops for homeowners in Dutchess County to help them assess their financial situation and their options for homeownership preservation, including loan modifications. Additional sessions on loan modifications are available. In addition, our counselors are available to meet one-on-one with homeowners to assist you:

Realign your budget | Repair your credit | Learn about being a homeowner

Our counselors are trained in all aspects of the foreclosure process. Wherever you believe you are in this process, we urge you to contact us. We will review your case and advise you as to the best course of action depending on what stage of the foreclosure process you are in. Our counselors will not charge you a fee for our services. We are recipients of federal, state and local funding that has been made available by the government to assist in stemming the housing crisis.

This program provides benefit payment management and will assist you in paying your bills with your Social Security, Veterans Benefits, or wages.

The Representative Payee Program office hours are: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm

The Parkway Center offers a service called the Bill Payer Program. Through this program we match seniors in need of help managing their monthly finances with a screened, certified, and trained volunteer. Volunteers meet with their clients once per month to ensure that their finances are in order. If this is a program you, or someone you love, could benefit from please call one of the numbers below.

For Oneida County please contact the Oneida County Office for the Aging at (315) 798-5456.

For Herkimer County please contact the Herkimer County Office for the Aging at (315) 867-1121.