County accepts $25,905 Chafee allocation to support foster youth independent-living services

Saratoga County’s Health and Human Services Committee voted June 3 to accept a $25,905 allocation from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) under the John H. Chafee foster-care independent-living program and to amend the county’s 2025 budget accordingly.

Commissioner Sherman described the allocation as federal Chafee funds administered through OCFS to assist current and former foster youth with independent-living skills and a stipend to practice budgeting and money management. "It authorizes the acceptance of the allocation in 25 25905 dollars from, OCFS, to assist former and current foster care children to achieve self sufficiency," Sherman said. He added that the county has received annual allocations dating back to the late 1990s and that last year’s allocation was $24,831, with the current award representing an increase of $1,074.

Sherman said the resolution authorizes himself, as commissioner, and the board chairman to sign documents necessary to accept the funds, with items requiring county attorney review to be submitted for approval prior to signing. He described the funding as part of a federal-state distribution process; county staff will claim eligible expenditures after they are incurred. The committee approved the resolution on a motion by Supervisor Landau; approval was recorded by voice vote and the chair declared the motion carried.

County officials said the funds will be used to provide independent-living skills training and stipends for eligible youth transitioning from foster care or aging out of care. The transcript does not include a detailed breakdown of the local program caseloads or precise stipend amounts.