The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office is the top law enforcement agency in the county. Both the Sheriff's Office and the County Jail are located in the Tompkins County Public Safety Building on Warren Road. The Sheriff's Office issues:

gun/pistol permits,

party permits,

permits for door-to-door sales in Tompkins County

For information call 257-1345. IDENTIFICATION CARDS: For people who do not have driver's licenses and need picture IDs for such purposes as cashing checks. SEX OFFENDER Registry Medication Disposal drop-box for medication disposal at the Sheriff's Department is available 24/7/365. Prescription, over-the-counter and pet medications in many forms are accepted, including:

pills

capsules

powders

liquids

inhalers

patches

epi-pens

No household hazardous waste, medical waste, or sharps (needles, lances, etc.) Disposal instructions: -any human or animal medication, either over-the-counter or prescription, is accepted -if possible, keep medications in their original containers -DO NOT black out the medication name, dosage or amount dispensed -DO black out your name and address on the label. Blacked out or not, no personal information will be collected from bottles. -Controlled substances must be brought by person for whom the medication was prescribed Non-controlled substances can be brought by family member, friend, etc.

First Candle unites parents, caregivers and researchers nationwide with government, business and community service groups to advance infant health and survival. Through research, education, and advocacy programs, the organization works to prevent stillbirth, SIDS and other sudden, unexpected infant deaths (SUID). It also provides compassionate grief support to those affected by a baby's death.
First Candle

• supplies parents and caregivers with educational and bereavement materials
• provides education and training to health professionals
• conducts grassroots advocacy campaigns to bring attention to important infant health issues at the local, state and national levels

The NYS Smokers' Quitline offers services to help callers quit smoking, such as

• free starter kit with nicotine patches, gum or lozenges
• trained specialists offering help with quit plans
• information about local stop smoking programs
• informational taped messages

*Please Note: the automated calling system may take patience and time to navigate.* Please advise callers to do the following:

1. listen carefully to instructions
2. press 1 only if you know the old extension, (previous extensions are valid)
3. press 0 to get Ithaca office (a real person)

The Social Security Administration administers federal financial programs such as Medicare, Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for retired and disabled persons. Assistance is offered in the following areas:

• Obtaining necessary proofs and records to process claims
• Explanation of rights and responsibilities under the Social Security Law
• Social Security cards
• Work and earning reports
• Marriage, death, adoption and student benefit reports

As of February 2014, the Social Security Administration will no longer offer Social Security number (SSN) printouts and benefit verification information in our field offices. However, to ensure a smooth transition, they will continue providing these services if requested until April 2014. Because the SSN printout is not an official document with security features, and is easily duplicated, misused, shared illegally, or counterfeited, eliminating it helps prevent fraud. Employers, departments of motor vehicles, and other entities requiring SSN verification can obtain this information in real time or overnight using online government services such as E-Verify and Social Securitys Business Services Online. Beneficiaries and recipients needing a benefit verification letter can obtain one immediately by registering for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount, or through the mail within 57 days by calling our national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. The Social Security Administration has expanded the services available with a My Social Security account, a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can now access their benefit verification letter, payment history, and earnings record instantly using their online account. Social Security beneficiaries also can change their address and start or change direct deposit information online. Social Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients with a My Social Security account can go online and get an official benefit verification letter instantly. The benefit verification letter serves as proof of income to secure loans, mortgages and other housing, and state or local benefits. Additionally, people use the letter to prove current Medicare health insurance coverage, retirement or disability status, and age. People age 18 and older can sign up for an account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. Once there, they must be able to provide information about themselves and answers to questions that only they are likely to know. After completing the secure verification process, people can create a My Social Security account with a unique user name and password to access their information. People age 18 and older who are not receiving benefits can sign up for a My Social Security account to get a personalized online Social Security Statement. The online Statement provides eligible workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information, and estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their retirement. In addition, the portal also includes links to information about other online services, such as applications for retirement, disability and Medicare. For more information, please go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

The Coordinated Childrens Services Initiative is a three- to six-month process to help families stay together and avoid out-of-home placement of children with emotional and behavioral challenges. The family, child, family support representative and, as needed, representatives from other county child and family services systems meet to review the family's needs and strengths. Based on those findings, a service plan is developed and implemented. Follow-up meetings track the family's progress. The program is open to Cortland County families with children ages 5 to 18.

Foster Care provides safe, temporary placement for children unable to safely live with their own families. Returning children to their homes is the goal; when not possible, a permanency plan may free the child for adoption, independent living or discharge to an adult residential setting. Referrals come from PINS, Child Protective Services or self-referral. After referral from individuals, other agencies, or Child Protective Services, Preventive Services conducts a needs assessment, creates a service plan and makes referrals to community agencies. Caseworkers provide financial management for some clients.

This unit's workers provide casework counseling, transport, mediation and crisis intervention.

The Coordinated Childrens Services Initiative is a three- to six-month process to help families stay together and avoid out-of-home placement of children with emotional and behavioral challenges. The family, child, family support representative and (as needed) representatives from other county child and family services systems meet to review the family's needs and strengths. Based on those findings, a service plan is developed and implemented. Follow-up meetings track the family's progress. The program is open to Cortland County families with children ages 5 to 18.

Foster Care provides safe, temporary placement for children unable to safely live with their own families. Returning children to their homes is the goal; when not possible, a permanency plan may free the child for adoption, independent living or discharge to an adult residential setting. Referrals come from PINS, Child Protective Services or self-referral. After referral from individuals, other agencies, or Child Protective Services, Preventive Services conducts a needs assessment, creates a service plan and makes referrals to community agencies. Caseworkers provide financial management for some clients.

This unit's workers provide casework counseling, transport, mediation and crisis intervention.

This division administers:

• Public Assistance
• Medicaid
• Food Stamps
• Emergency Assistance
• HEAP
• day care and employment services to help individuals become self sufficient

Temporary assistance services determines initial and on-going eligibility. Eligibility includes means-tested income guidelines, fraud investigations and cooperation with employment activities.

The Department operates under the authority of New York State Social Services Law and Part 18 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) and is comprised of three major divisions:

1. The Income Maintenance Division administers the following programs based on eligibility and income guidelines:
   • Temporary Assistance, which includes
     • the partially federally funded Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program
     • and the partially state funded Safety Net (SN) program
   • Food Stamps
   • Medicaid
   • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
   • Employment programs
   • Child Care Block Grant (CCBG) programs
   • Child Support program.
   • Emergency programs
2. The Services Division includes
   • Foster Care
   • Preventive
   • Adoption
   • Child Protective Services (CPS)
   • Coordinated Childrens Services Initiative (CCSI)
   • Adult Protective services
   • Long Term Care services
     
3. The Administrative Division handles:
   • Resource Recovery
   • Records Retention
   • Network Technology
   • Accounting
   • Staff Development
   • Security
   • Legal
   • Fraud
   • Special projects, including implementation of various TANF allocations as they are available

Child Protective Services responds to reports of child maltreatment with a family assessment or an investigation. To report suspected cases of abuse, call the 24- hour, toll-free New York State hotline.

Tompkins Care Connection provides:

• in-home assessment
• information and referral
• case management
• home care services

to Tompkins County senior citizens and disabled residents of any age who need long-term care.

County residents who meet program guidelines qualify for home care services through the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program (EISEP) and Medicaid.
Additional services include:

• private duty nursing
• Long Term Home Health Care program
• Traumatic Brain Injury program
• Care at Home
• Medicaid waivers for children
• Medicaid Personal Emergency Response System
• PRI assessment for nursing home placement

Tompkins Care Connection is Tompkins County's "New York Connects" program. Tompkins County residents interested in starting a family-type home (residential and non-nursing home care) for seniors can call Long Term Care Services, 274-5222, for an application.

Family Home Requirements include:

• meeting water and fire code regulations
• passing a safely inspection
• applicant must:
  • be in good standing in the community
  • provide personal references
  • obtain a physician's statement of his/her ability to perform the services

Youth and Family Services unit specializes in preventive and foster care services for Tompkins County adolescent youth and their families, such as:

• working with families to prevent out-of-home placement of an at-risk child
• working with youth placed in foster care by Family Court because of PINS/JD behaviors. Foster care placements include:
  • family foster care
  • group home care
  • residential care
  • treatment foster care
• sub-programs include:
  
  • multi-systemic therapy
  • youth advocacy program
  • sex offense evaluations
  • William George Agency Therapeutic After School Program for boys at high risk of residential placement
• managing detention placements for Tompkins County youth

Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse and neglect of adults and provides financial management, case management and legal interventions needed to protect at-risk adults. Adult Protective is also a member of the Hoarding Task Force of Tompkins County. Visit http://hoarding.weebly.com/ for information on hoarding resources.

Child Protective Services responds to reports of child maltreatment with a family assessment or an investigation. To report suspected cases of abuse, call the 24- hour, toll-free New York State hotline.