OCFS Honors Greene County PSA Unit

RENSSELAER, NY (12/09/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) awarded Certificates of Recognition For Excellence in Providing Protective Services for Adults (PSA) to the staff of the Greene County Department of Social Services (DSS) PSA Unit on Thursday, December 4.

The awards were presented at the offices of the Greene County DSS, by OCFS Associate Commissioner Kirk Maurer, Director of the Bureau of Adult Services Alan Lawitz, and Michael Cahill, also of the Bureau of Adult Services. Also in attendance were Greene County Administrator Dan Frank and Human Resources Chair Larry Gardner.

OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., said: "Protective Services for Adults workers are on the front lines in responding to referrals of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation. They are the ones who act to protect vulnerable adults with impairments, who have no one else willing and able to assist them. With these Certificates of Recognition we proudly acknowledge and celebrate superlative work by PSA workers."

OCFS honored the Greene County PSA Unit for outstanding supervision and casework, above and beyond what is required, working as a team to protect vulnerable adults and assisting their clients obtain necessary services and benefits. Certificates of recognition were presented to: Penelope Fromer - Supervisor; Debora Donohue - Caseworker; Kathleen Gray - Caseworker; Margaret Lawrence - Case Manager; Vivian Byrne - Community Services Worker.

In nominating this team for consideration, Greene County DSS Commissioner Kira Pospesel stated that the PSA unit fills in the service gaps for transient, drug/alcohol, or mental health safety net cases, and goes the extra mile to assure clients are assisted in terms of both short-term and long-term housing needs. She said every member pitches in to help the clients from start to finish, from assisting with applications for services, to transporting clients to appointments, to responding to referrals to assess the safety of adults in the community.

Commissioner Pospesel said: "Greene County PSA staff members share a common principle in that they are charged with the duty to successfully service the vulnerable and needy adults in Greene County in the most respectful, efficient manner possible. Their formal recognition will be a testament to their tireless, hard work and dedication to the adults of Greene County, and will serve as a long overdue 'thank you' in what is often a thankless job."

Adults, 18 or older, may need protective services for a variety of reasons. A family member, friend, neighbor or other concerned person worried about an individual who may need adult protective services should call the local department of social services. Individuals who recognize their own need for help may call for themselves. For the telephone number of a county's adult protective services, call: 1-800-342- 3009 (press option 6). For more information, visit the website of OCFS, which oversees adult protective services: www.ocfs.state.ny.us .

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