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11_Human Services_ Final 5-16 2019 CLEAN
SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate ThisdocumentwaspreparedfortheNewYorkStateDepartmentofState withfundsprovidedunderTitle11oftheEnvironmentalProtectionFund. HumanServices Final August10,2012 UpdatedMay16,2019 HumanServices 1 Humanservicesisanall-encompassingtermrelatingtohelpingandsupportingpeoplesotheycan livemoresatisfying,autonomous,andproductivelives.Thismayincludefulfillingbasicneedssuchas food,housingandmedicalcare,orprovidinggreateropportunitiestosupportachievingself- sufficiency.Whetherthroughdirectinterventionwithhumanservicesprovidersorthroughaccessto knowledge,resources,andprograms,providinghumanserviceshelpsindividuals,families,groups, andcommunitiesaddressand/orbettercopewitheconomic,health,andsocialissuestopromotetheir greaterfunctioningwithinsociety. Inadditiontofosteringcommunityresponsibilityandsocialequity,theprovisionofhumanservices emphasizesthevalueofdiversityandrespectforpeopleofdifferentincomes,ages,abilities,races, ethnicities,andcultures. Localmunicipalitiesgenerallyhavealimitedroleinaddressinghumanservicesneedssincetheyrely onalargerinfrastructureofgovernment(federal,state,andcounty)withenhancedfundingto efficientlyandeffectivelyprovideservices.Privatehumanservicesproviderscomplementtheefforts ofgovernment. ThechapterwillarticulateservicescurrentlyprovidedeitherdirectlybySoutholdTownorthose providedbySuffolkCountyandprivateagencies;highlightunfulfilledneedsthatmayneedtobe addressedinthefuturethatarecriticaltothewell-beingofindividuals,families,andcommunitiesin theTownofSouthold;andassisttheTown’sHumanServicesdepartmentwithongoingplanningfor coordinatedandintegratedservices. BACKGROUND SoutholdTownhasprovidedhumanservicesforoverfourdecades.Inresponsetothefederal enactmentoftheOlderAmericansActin1965,theSoutholdTownSeniorNutritionProgramwas establishedin1974atSanSimeonbytheSound.Sincethentheprogramhasbroadeneditsnetwork ofservicestomeettheincreasedneeds.In1993,theTownofSoutholdpurchasedtheHuman ResourceCenter(HRC)andestablishedtheSoutholdTownDepartmentofHumanServicestoserve asaCommunityFocalPointandtoincreasecapacityforco-locationandcoordinationofprograms andservicesfortownresidents.InadditiontotheservicesprovideddirectlyattheHRC,theHRC servesthecommunityasresourceforallhumanservicesneedsbyprovidingcoordinationwithother publicandprivateagencyprogramsandservices(see Appendix8 foralistofservicesprovidedand coordinated). Currently,residentsbelongingtothefollowingcategoriesaretargetedforassistancethroughthe humanservicesgoalsandobjectivesoftheTown: HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 2 •SeniorCitizens •Youth •Individualswithdevelopmentaldisabilities •Individualswithbehavioralhealthneedssuchasmentalillnessand/orsubstanceabuse •Victimsofdomesticviolence •Householdsexperiencingpoverty •Unemployedandunderemployed •Medicalandhealthservices •Lackofaccesstohealthcare •Underservedminoritieswhomaylackresourcesorbediscriminatedagainstduetotheir minoritystatus •Recreationalprograms •Housing Throughaseriesofcommunityinterviews,thefollowinghumanservicesneedswereidentified: Transportation.Thelimitedavailabilityofpublictransportationimpedestheabilityofsome residentstoaccessservicesandprograms. Employment.AdditionalemploymentopportunitiesareneededforTownresidents. Budgetcuts.Thefiscalcrisisfacingfederal,state,andcountygovernmentshasnegatively impactedhumanserviceproviderbudgets.Thisdecreaseinfundingforhumanserviceshas promptedsomeproviderstochargeafeeforservices(orincreasefeesforservices),affecting manyoftheTown’smostvulnerableresidents. Housing.Housingisveryexpensiveandremainscompletelyoutofreachformostcitizens withorwithouthumanserviceneeds. Healthcarecosts.Healthcarecostshavesky-rocketedandpolicychangestoMedicareand Medicaidhaveimpactedolderandlow-incomeresidents.Manystruggletoobtainaccurate informationregardingbenefits,entitlements,andsupportiveservices. LackofSpanishlanguageresources.DespitethesignificantincreaseoftheLatino population,manyhumanserviceprovidersdonotofferSpanish-speakingstaffand/or resources. Opportunitiesforyouthactivities.Youthneedamulti-purposegymnasiumandswimming poolcomplexincludingateencenterforafterschoolactivities.Inaddition,youthreported thattheywouldliketheTowntoconsidercreatingaYouthCourtinconjunctionwiththe SoutholdPoliceDepartment. HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 3 TrendsandProjections Increaseinseniorpopulation Southold’syear-roundpopulationcontinuestoage.Accordingtothe2010U.S.Census, seniors60yearsofageoroverincreased3.5percentoverthedecadeandrepresentonein threepeople.NationallyoneineightAmericansisovertheageof60.OutsideofNewYork City,SuffolkCountyhasthesecond-largestseniorpopulationinthestate.In2010,66 percentofallclientsservedbytheSuffolkCountyOfficefortheAgingwere75yearsofage orolder.Thispopulationismostlikelytohavemultipleandchronichealthconditionsand requireavarietyofservicestoremainsafeandindependentintheownhomes.Thegrowth oftheseniorpopulationinSuffolkCountyandSoutholdTownhasincreasedthedemand forpublicandprivatecommunity-basedservicesbyseniorservicesnetworkprovidersonthe EastEnd. Increaseinsecondhomeowners Thenumberofhomesidentifiedassecond(notaprimaryresidence)hasincreased.Many secondhomeownerswillretireinthefutureandmaketheTownofSoutholdtheirprimary residence,therebyincreasingthealreadyagingpopulationofyear-roundresidents. Declineinschool-agedchildren Thenumberoffamilieswithschool-agechildrenisdeclining. IncreaseinHispanicpopulation TheHispanicpopulationincreasedfrom982to2,382accordingtothe2000and2010 Censusdata.This142percentincreasewillrequirebilinguallanguageprogramsandservices toassistthisgrowingsegmentofthepopulation. Decreaseoffundingfromfederal,state,andcountygovernments Asgovernmentsmustdomorewithless,lessfundingisavailableforhumanservices programsandresources. Increaseinrequestsforfoodstampassistance From2007to2012,SuffolkCountyhaswitnessedanincreaseof168percentforhouseholds seekingassistancefromthefoodstampprogram. Decreaseinhouseholdincome Whenadjustingforinflationoverthepasttwodecades,medianhouseholdincomeincreased infivehamlets(Cutchogue,GreenportWest,Laurel,Mattituck,andSouthold).However,the medianhouseholdincomedecreasedintheotherhalfoftheTown,includingEastMarion, FishersIsland,NewSuffolk,Orient,andPeconic.Whilethepriceofothergoods,namely HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 4 housing,fuel,andgroceries,hassteadilyincreased,incomelevelshavenotbeenabletokeep up. Decreaseinchildcaresubsidies Subsidizedchildcarewasahallmarkof“welfarereform”tohelpgetparentsbacktowork. Fundingwentfromthefederaltothestatetothecountygovernmentstoprovidesubsidies forchildcare/daycare.Duetosignificantfundingcuts,SuffolkCountyhaschangedeligibility requirements,makingitfarmoredifficulttoaccesspayments,asparentsnowmustbeator belowthefederalpovertyline.Thisharshmeasureiscounterproductiveinassisting householdsnearthepovertylevel,asheadsofhouseholdsfrequentlycannotworkwithout thisassistance. Increaseinincidentsofdomesticviolence Inadditiontoacorrelationwithsubstanceabuse,incidentsofdomesticviolenceare exacerbatedbydiminishedeconomicopportunities.TheEastEnd’sonlyproviderof domesticviolenceservices,theRetreat,reportedin2012asignificantincreaseofcallsfor assistanceonitsmultilingualhotline. FundingforHumanServices TheTownreceivesfundingfromvariousrevenuesourcestosupporthumanservices(see Appendix 8 fordetailedlistoffundingsourcesandservices).Itisimportanttonotethatthereisatrendfor diminishedfundingforhumanservicesprograms. HumanServiceNeedsofResidents TherearemyriadhumanservicesneedsfortheresidentsofSouthold.Fortunately,manyofthese needsarecurrentlyaddressedbyexistingtownandcountyprogramsaswellasresourcesfrom privateproviders(hospitals)andnon-profits.BecauseofSuffolkCounty’sfiscalcrisis,itisprobable thatfundstoaidhumanservicesneedswillcontinuetodiminish.Despitethisreducedfunding,the Townwillcontinuetocreativelyandeffectivelydeliverprogramsandservicestoaddresshuman servicesneeds. HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 5 Goals 1.ServicesforSeniors SeniorcitizensmakeupamajorpartofthepopulationoftheTownofSoutholdandarevaluable assetsfortheTown’sgrowthandstability.Seniorsareknownforsupportinglocalbusinessesand theyprovidevaluablecontributionsbyvolunteeringtheirtimeandexpertisetowardtown committeesandnon-profitsservices.Tomeettheneedsofitscitizens,theTownwillcontinueto funditsricharrayofprogramsandresourcesforseniorsaswellasseektoimprovetheirlives throughadditionalresources(see Appendix8 fordetails). 1.1 Sustainservicesforseniors Objectives 1)ContinuetoprovidethefollowingprogramsforseniorsthroughtheTown’sHumanServices Department: a.home-deliveredmeals b.congregatemeals c.casemanagement d.residentialrepair e.transportationforshoppingandsocialevents f.medicaltransportation g.entitlementcounseling h.wellnesseducation i.telephonereassurancetohomebound j.Caregiversupportgroupsandcounseling 2)Continuetoprovidesocialmodel(i.e.,non-medical)adultdaycareservicesatKatinkaHouse. 3)SupportthemedicalmodelofadultdaycareservicesatSanSimeonbytheSound. 4)SustaintheTown’scollaborationwithEasternLongIsland’sGeriatricCenterofExcellence andSuffolkCounty’sNewYorkConnectsProgramtopromoteavailabilityofinformation andresourcestobenefitseniors. 5)Continuetoprovidepart-timeservicestoseniorslivingonFishersIsland. 6)Continuecommunityoutreachregardingvouchersforseniorstoenablethemtomeettheir nutritionalneedsthroughtheNewYorkStateSeniorFarmersMarketNutritionalProgram. HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 6 1.2 Enhanceservicestoseniors Objectives 1)Continuetopartnerwithnon-profitsgroupstoinitiateNaturallyOccurringRetirement Communities(NORCs)thatfosteraginginplacewithindependencesupplementedbyhuman serviceagencies. 2)InvestigatefundingopportunitiesthroughtheNewYorkStateOfficeofMentalHealthto continueprovidingmentalhealthscreeningstoseniorsandcaregivers. 3)WiththeYouthBureauandschools,developintergenerationalprogramshelpingseniorswith propertymaintenancesuchasleafrakingandsnowplowing. 4)WithSuffolkCounty,improveaccesstobenefitsforeligibleseniorsthroughashared electronicapplicationprocess. ResponsibleParties:HumanServicesDepartmentandSoutholdYouthBureau PossiblePartnerships:FamilyServiceLeague,EasternLongIsland’sGeriatricCenterof Excellence,SuffolkCounty’sNewYorkConnects,SanSimeonbytheSound,PeconicLanding,NY StateOfficeofMentalHealth,NYStateOfficeforAging,IslandHealthProject,RebuildTogether LongIsland 2.ServicesandProgramsforYouth Youthareourfuture.Overtheyears,theTownhaswitnessedadeclineofchildrenandyoung peoplelivinginTown.Indeed,manyyouthdonotremaininthecommunityaftertheygraduate fromhighschoolduetothelackofemploymentopportunitiesandaffordablehousing. 2.1 Sustainservicestoyouth. Objectives: 1)ContinueannualfundingrequestwiththeNewYorkStateOfficeforChildrenandFamily ServicesforYouthBureaufunding. 2)ContinueannualfundingrequestwithSuffolkCountyYouthBureauforassistancewith operationoftheTown’sDARE(DrugAbuseResistanceEducation)programforelementary students. 3)SupportthefundingrequestfortheFamilyServiceLeague’scounselingprogram. 4)ContinuetosolicitfundingforSummerWorksprogramforyouth. 5)SupporttheeffortsoftheSoutholdBusinessAdvisoryprogramtoprovidejobmentoringand jobshadowingexperiencewithtowndepartments. HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 7 2.2 Enhanceservicestoyouth. Objectives: 1)Withseniorservices,expandintergenerationalprogramsforyouth. 2)Improverecreationalopportunitiesforyouth. 3)Seekfundingfromprivatecorporationstosupplementprogramsforyouth. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdYouthBureau,HumanServicesDepartment,SoutholdPolice Department,SoutholdRecreationCenter,SoutholdParks,BeachesandRecreationCommittee PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyYouthBureau,FamilyServiceLeague,localschools, IslandCommunityCenter,IslandPeople’sProject,U.S.ArmyReserveOfficerTrainingCorps, CommunitiesThatCare,NorthForkAlliance,PrivateCorporations 3.Employment Chapter7,“EconomicDevelopment,”addressesemploymentissuesintheTown.Theimportant connectionbetweenemploymentandqualityoflifeforresidentsisreemphasizedinthisgoal. 3.1 ImproveemploymentopportunitiesforTownresidents Objectives: 1)Co-locateemploymentcounselorsattheHumanServicesDepartmentfromSuffolkCounty DepartmentofLabortoteachskillsrelatingtojobsearch,resumewriting,interviewskills, etc. 2)Hostamonthly“jobbank”withlocalemployersseekingemployees. 3)ContinuetosolicitfundingforstudentSummerWorksprogramtoprovideemployment opportunitiesforfinanciallydisadvantagedyouth. 4)OnTown’swebsite,providelinkforSuffolkCountyDepartmentofCivilServicefor employmentopportunities. 5)ExploreutilizationofSuffolkCountyOfficeofRetiredExecutives(SCORE)toassist residentswithemploymentsearchandretention ResponsibleParties:HumanServicesDepartment,SoutholdYouthBureauandSouthold EconomicDevelopmentCommittee PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyDepartmentofLabor,SuffolkCountyCivilService, SuffolkCountyOfficeofRetiredExecutives HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 8 4.RecreationalandCulturalOpportunities Recreational,educational,andleisureactivitiesevolvewithtimeanditisimportanttoremaincurrent whilesatisfyingtheneedsofadiversepopulation.Technologicaladvancesrequirethatthefacilities andactivitiesremaincompellingandinstructionalforallTownresidents.Chapter13,“Parks& Recreation,”addressesthistopicinmoredepth. 4.1 Provideforavarietyofrecreational,educational,andleisure experiencesandprogramstomeetthediverseneedsofthe community. Objectives 1)Issueannualsurveystoassessparksandrecreationalneedsofthecommunityandfacilitate focusgroups. 2)Developandenhancerecreationalprogramsbasedonresponsesfromthecommunity; includeculturalprograms(PeconicLaneCommunityCenter). 3)Partnerwithexistingentities(EastEndArtsCouncil,PeconicLanding,NorthFork CommunityTheatre,SouthamptonCulturalCenter,NortheastStage,etc.)thatprovide culturalprogrammingtooffereducationalclasses,performances,artexhibits,concerts,and otherleisureactivities. 4)EnhancetechnologicalcapacitiesoftheRecreationCenterandPeconicLaneCommunity Centertopromotecutting-edgeprogramofferings. 5)Createadditionalculturalandrecreationalprogramsforpeoplewithdevelopmental disabilitiesthatcouldincludeyouthvolunteers. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdRecreationDepartment,SoutholdParks,Beachesand RecreationCommittee,DepartmentofDataProcessingandInformationTechnology,Planning Department,SoutholdDevelopmentalDisabilities,HumanServicesDepartmentandSouthold YouthBureau PossiblePartnerships:PeconicLanding,FishersIslandCommunityCenter,Historical Societies,Libraries,EastEndArtsCouncil,NorthForkCommunityTheatre 5.Transportation GettingaroundintheTownofSoutholdcanbechallengingforsomeresidentssincepublic transportationislimited.Thecurrentlimitationsofpublictransportationparticularlyaffectlow- incomefamilieswhocannotaffordtopurchaseavehicle,seniorswhocannolongerdrive,youth whoarenotoldenoughtoacquirealicense,andindividualswithdisabilities. Localpublictransportationisrestrictedtoonebusline,theS92,whichisprovidedbySuffolk CountyTransitandtravelsfromOrientPoint,throughtheVillageofGreenporttoEastHampton alongNewYorkStateRoute25.Busestypicallyrunonceevery15minutesinthewestbound HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 9 directionduringtheweekdaymorningpeakof5to7AMandonceevery25minutesinthe eastbounddirectionduringtheeveningpeakof5to8PM.Weekendserviceisalsoavailablewith lesserfrequency,withbusesrunningevery40minutesatpeaktimesandeveryhourotherwise. OpportunitiestotransfertootherbuslinesthroughoutSuffolkCountyexist;however,thereisoften aprolongedwaittime.SuffolkCountyAccessibleTransit(SCAT)servesindividualswithdisabilities, butcertainprogramlimitationsexistincludingnodoor-to-doorassistanceprovided(curbsidepick- upsonly);pick-upislimitedtowithin¾milefromaSuffolkCountyTransitfixedbusroute;and reservationsaremadeonafirst-comefirst-servedbasisandcannotbemadebeyondaweekin advance.TravelbytrainisevenmorelimitedastheLongIslandRailRoadprovidesfragmented serviceatoddtimesthatfrequentlydoesnotcoincidewithworkschedules. 5.1 Improvepublictransportationopportunitiestoenableresidents totravelthroughoutTownandtheCountywhilealsoenabling employerstheabilitytoattractemployeeswithoutvehicles. Objective •WorkwithSuffolkCountyandNewYorkStatetoincreasepublictransitopportunities. 5.2 Expandtransportationservicestoincreaseaccesstohuman servicesprograms.(e.g.,youthprograms,recreationprograms forpeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilities). Objective •Explorethefeasibilityofrepurposingtownfleetvehiclesforalternativeusesthataddress transportationneedsforhumanservicesprograms. ResponsibleParties:HumanServicesDepartment,YouthBureau,Southold DevelopmentalDisabilities PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyOfficeforAging,SuffolkCountyYouthBureau, MetropolitanTransportationAuthority,LongIslandRailRoad,EastEndTransportation Commission,SoutholdTransportationCommittee 6.ImproveOpportunitiesforHouseholds LivinginPoverty WhilemosthouseholdsinSoutholddonotexperiencepoverty,asafetynetmustbeinplacetohelp thosewhostruggledailytosurviveandtohelphouseholdswhostruggletosubsistandmeettheir economicandhealthcareneeds.Theimpactofpovertyonindividualsandfamilieshasmany ramificationstoeverydaylife. HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 10 6.1 Continuethesupportofhumanservicesthatremediatethe impactofpovertyonresidentsofSoutholdTownandGreenport Village. Objective •ContinuefundingofhumanservicesthroughtheTown’sCommunityDevelopmentBlock Grant(CDBG)fundsthatprovideassistancetofoodpantries,childcareandafterschool programs,sheltertothehomeless,counselingservices,andotherrelatedprograms. ResponsibleParties:TownBoard,HumanServicesDepartment,CommunityBlockGrant ReviewingCommittee PossiblePartnerships:FamilyServiceLeague,NorthForkEarlyLearningCenter, CommunityActionofSoutholdTown,NorthForkParishOutreach,SuffolkCountyOfficefor Aging,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofHealth,SuffolkCountyDepartmentofSocialServices, PeconicCommunityCouncil,CatholicCharities,IslandHarvest 7.EducationaboutHumanServices Programs Manyresidentswhocouldbenefitfromservicesareunawareandsometimesreluctanttoaskabout existingresources. 7.1 Expandawarenessofandaccesstohumanservicesinformation andresources. Objectives 1)Developacomprehensiveresourcedirectoryofhumanserviceagenciesandresources. 2)ContinuetoupdateandproduceaYouthBureauResourceDirectory. 3)Hosteducationalforumstoinformpublicaboutresources. 4)Expanddistributionofinformationbrochuresandotherprintmaterialstown-wide. 5)UsetheTown’swebsitetopostimportantinformationandtoprovidedirectlinkstoother humanservicesagenciesandresourcesincludinglocallibraries. 6)Coordinatewithpublicandprivatecommunityorganizationsandlocalmediatoinform residentsofavailableservicesandresources. 7)FeatureaneducationaliteminprintmediaandontheTown’swebsite(e.g.,DidYou Know…?). 8)EnsurethatcommunicationsaredevelopedinSpanishandotherlanguagesasneeded. ResponsibleParties:SoutholdHumanServices,SoutholdYouthBureau,Departmentof InformationTechnology HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 11 PossiblePartnerships:HealthCareIssuesandtheElderlyCommittee,FamilyService League,NorthForkEarlyLearningCenter,CommunityActionofSoutholdTown,NorthFork ParishOutreach,NorthForkApostolate,Collegestudentintern,volunteers 8.HumanServiceDeliveryandCoordination Effectiveandefficientdeliveryofhumanservicesiscrucial.Itisessentialthatallservicedelivery agencies,publicandprivate,collaborateandcontinuetobuildstronginterrelationshipstomaximize servicedeliveryandminimizeduplicationofeffortsandcost.Inaddition,morecomprehensivedata collectionandon-goingsharingofinformationisnecessaryasregionalhumanservicesproviders developimplementationplansandidentifypotentialfundingsources. 8.1 ContinueeffortscurrentlyfundedbySoutholdTowntoprovide forthecoordinated,efficient,andeffectivedeliveryofhuman servicesthatintegrateprogramsandreduceduplicationof services. Objectives 1)Developastandardizedreportingtoolthatcanbeutilizedbyserviceprovidersformore comprehensiveprogramevaluationandplanning.Datacanalsobeusedforgrantapplications andprogramdevelopment.SeekgrantfundsfromtheLongIslandCommunityFoundation fordevelopmentandimplementationofstandardizedmonitoringtools.Hostworkshopsto invitehumanservicesproviderstobroadentheirknowledgeaboutmoreeffectivereporting andevaluationtools. 2)Schedulequarterlymeetingswithhumanservicesproviderstoenhancenetworkingand informationexchange. 3)Forimprovedclarityforresidents,considerrenamingthe“HumanResourceCenter” (sometimesreferredtoasthe“SeniorCenter”orthe“NutritionCenter”)to“The DepartmentofHumanServices”(includingsignage,website,andotherreferencestothe department)tobroadenanawarenessofthediverseprogramsavailabletoaddresshuman servicesneeds. ResponsibleParties:HumanServicesDepartmentandSoutholdCommunityDevelopment ReviewingCommittee PossiblePartnerships:Regionalnon-profits,LongIslandCommunityFoundation HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 12 9.AssistUnderservedPopulations/Minorities Populationsidentifiedasunderservedcanbenefitfromadditionalassistancefromthehuman servicesdeliverysystemthrougheducation,accesstoresources,andspecializedprograms. UnderservedpopulationsmayincludeHispanics,AfricanAmericans,Women,Veterans,Victimsof DomesticViolence,SexualMinorities(gay,lesbian,transgendered),PhysicallyandMentally Disabled,andothers(see Appendix8 fordetailedcensusdata).Underservedpopulationsmaybe morevulnerableandsociallyisolatedbecauseoftheirminoritystatus.TheDepartmentofHuman Servicescurrentlyprovidesa“communityservicesroom”toallowgreateraccessforallresidents includingthoseintheunderservedpopulations. Minoritiesmayexperiencediscriminationinhousingandemployment.Anextremeformof discriminationisbiascrimesagainstminorities.TheTownmustexhibitawelcomingatmospherefor allunderservedpopulationsandaffirmitszerotolerancefordiscriminationandbias. 9.1 Provideresourcesandprogramsthatcanbenefitunderserved populations. Objectives 1)Expandopportunitiestogroupsthatserviceminoritiestoco-locateatthecommunityservices room.ThiscouldincludeSuffolkCountyOfficesofMinorityAffairs,OfficeforWomen,and theNorthForkSpanishApostolate(bilingualresources). 2)PartnerwiththeCounty'sMinorityBusinessDevelopmentCouncilandWomen’sBusiness EnterpriseCoalitiontoincreasebusinessopportunitiesforminorities. 3)HighlightinformationandresourcesinHumanServicesResourceDirectory. 4)ProvideworkshopsfortheTownandlocalbusinessesonfederalmandatesunderthe American’swithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)andRehabilitationAct. 5)PromoteliteracythroughenhancingtheprovisionofEnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL) servicestominoritiesattownsitesandlocallibraries. 9.2 EnsureTowninfrastructureisADAcompliant Objectives EnactanADATransitionPlananddesignateanADACoordinatorforTowninfrastructure accordingtoTitle6Federalregulations. 9.3 Discourageandremediateactsofdiscriminationandbias. Objectives 1)Hostworkshopsforbusinessesonequalopportunitypractices. HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 13 2)Sponsoreducationalforumsondiscriminationandbias. 3)Continueanti-biaseducationinitiativewithlocalschools. 4)Documentandmonitorincidentsofhatecrimesandbiasacts. ResponsibleParties:HumanServicesDepartment,SoutholdPoliceDepartment,Southold TownEngineeringDepartment,SoutholdAnti-BiasTaskforce,EconomicDevelopment Committee,SoutholdYouthBureau PossiblePartnerships:Regionalnon-profits,SuffolkCountyVeteransServiceAgency, SuffolkCountyOfficeofMinorityAffairs,SuffolkCountyOfficeforWomen,LongIslandGay LesbianBisexualandTransgenderedNetwork,LongIslandAIDSCoalition,NorthForkWomen forWomenFund,NorthForkWomen’sResourceCenter,TheRetreat,NorthForkSpanish Apostolate,HolocaustMemorialandToleranceCenterofNassauCounty,LocalLibraries 10.BehavioralHealthNeeds: Behavioralhealthissuessuchasuntreatedsubstanceabuseandmentalillnesscanhaveaserious impactonindividuals,theirfamilies,andthecommunityasawhole.Increasedaccesstoeducation andavailableresourcesinthecommunitycanprovidegreateropportunityforimprovedhealthanda betterqualityoflife. 10.1 Coordinateresourcestoaddressbehavioralhealthissuesand promotewellness. Objectives 1)Partnerwithpublicandprivateserviceproviderstohosteducationalworkshopsatthe HumanServicesDepartment,PeconicLaneCommunityCenter,etc.,featuringspeakersand resourcesonvarioustopicsrelatingtobehavioralhealthneeds.Inaddition,workwithlocal hospitalsandproviderstoincreasetheawarenessabouttheavailabilityofbehavioralhealth servicesfortownresidents. 2)Co-locateintheHumanServicesDepartmentcommunityservicesroomthehumanservices providerswhogiveinformationandreferralsforbehavioralhealthneeds. 3)Workwithschoolstopreventandaddressbehavioralhealthneedsofstudents. 4)Continuewellnessseminarsandworkshopsforseniorsandcaregiverswithrelevanttopics (e.g.,Alzheimer’sdisease,depression,seniornutrition) ResponsibleParties:HumanServicesDepartment,SoutholdYouthBureau PossiblePartnerships:EasternLongIslandHospital,PeconicBayMedicalCenter,South OaksHospital,MentalHealthAssociationofSuffolkCounty,AmericanFoundationforSuicide PreventionLongIslandChapter,SuffolkCountyHealthDepartment,CommunitiesthatCare, NorthForkCoalition,Regionalschools HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 14 HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 15 11.HousingforPersonswithHumanService Needs Personswithhumanservicesneedshaveacutehousingneedsthatmaybedifferentfromthoseof thegeneralpopulation.Safeandaffordablehousingisvitaltoacommunity’sstability.Many residentsareinneedofaffordablehousing,particularlylow-incomeindividualsandfamilieswhorely ongovernmentsubsidies. Southoldhasanunusuallylargenumberofseniorcitizenswhere40percentofyear-roundresidents areage55orolder.Thissizablesegmentofthepopulationwillrequirespecialformsofhousingand assistancetomakeitpossibleforthemtoageinplaceandcontinuelivingintheTown.Asthe Town’spopulationofretireesandseniorcitizenscontinuestogrow,theneedforayounger,stable workforcewillalsoincrease. 11.1 Provideadditionaldiversifiedhousingfromexistingstockinall oftheTown’shamletstohelpmeettheneedsofcurrentyear- roundresidents. Objectives 1)Encouragethedevelopmentofaccessoryapartmentsinexistingbarnsandgaragesthatcan berenovatedintosmallapartmentsforsinglesorcouplesorthatallowthehomeowners (retirees,etc.)todownsize. 2)ContinuetoworkwiththeFamilyServiceLeaguetoexpanditsHomeShareLongIsland program,whichprovidesaffordablehousingforbothseniorsandnon-seniors,generallyin theformofroomswithinexistinghomes. 3)Promoteuniversaldesignelementsinthebuildingcodetoaccommodateseniorsageingin placeandpersonswithphysicaldisabilities.EstablishloansandgrantsfromtheTown’s CDBGfundingtoconvertlargerhomesfromexistingstockintounitsofaffordablerental housing. ResponsibleParties:HousingAdvisoryCommission,SoutholdSeniorServices,Building Department,ZoningBoardofAppeals,PlanningBoard,ArchitecturalReviewCommittee, CommunityDevelopmentBlockGrant PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing, SuffolkCountyOfficeforAging,FamilyServiceLeague,WalshParkBenevolentAssociation, HabitatforHumanity,CommunityDevelopmentCorporationofLongIsland,LongIslandHousing Partnership HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 16 11.2 Encouragethedevelopmentofdiversifiedhousingtohelpmeet theneedsofcurrentyear-roundresidents,includingsenior citizens (thissub-goalisalsoinChapter8,“Housing,”alongwithmoredetailson thehousingneedsoftheTown). Objectives 1)Developunitsofmoderate-incomehomeownershipthroughtheTown’sinclusionary zoningpolicies,SuffolkCounty72Htransfers(taxdefaultproperties),achangeofzoningto AffordableHousingDistrict,andpartnershipswithnon-profithousingdevelopersutilizing NewYorkStateHOME funding.Thiscouldincludeconsiderationofchangingthebuilding codetoallowsmallerhomesthanhavebeenpreviouslyenvisioned(fewerthan850square feet). 2)Developpartnershipswithnon-profithousingdeveloperstobuildage-restrictedapartments usingHUD’sSection202funding. 3)Developmoderate-incomehome-ownershipunits(condos,etc.)withagerestrictions throughinclusionaryzoningpolicies,changeofzoningtoAffordableHousingDistrict,and partnershipswithhousingproviders. 4)Explorethefeasibilityofidentifyingpotentiallocationsthatwouldbeappropriateforhigher- densityaffordablehousingreadilyavailabletopotentialsponsorsfordevelopment. IdentificationofsuchlocationswouldbepartofapublicmeetingprocesswiththeTown Board,PlanningBoardandHousingAdvisoryCommission. 5)Supportthedevelopmentofassisted-livingfacilitiesinappropriatelocations. ResponsibleParties:HousingAdvisoryCommission,TownBoard,PlanningBoard, ZoningBoardofAppeals PossiblePartnerships:SuffolkCountyEconomicDevelopmentandWorkforceHousing, CommunityDevelopmentCorporationofLongIsland,LongIslandHousingPartnership,Housing UrbanDevelopment,NewYorkStateHomesandCommunityRenewal,WalshParkBenevolent Association,CommunityLandTrustofSouthold,PrivateDevelopers,IndependentGroupHome Living,Inc.,AidfortheDevelopmentallyDisabled 12.Civicengagementandvolunteerism TheimplementationofhumanservicesstrategiesrequirestheengagementofTownresidentsto improvetheconditionoflivesforindividuals,families,andneighbors.Thehighdemandforhuman servicesrequiresadedicatedbaseofvolunteerstoassisttheTownandcommunityservicegroupsto helpothersimprovetheirlives.Inaddition,volunteereffortsbylocalfirefightersandemergency techniciansareinvaluabletotheTown’ssafetyandwell-being. HumanServices SoutholdTownComprehensivePlanUpdate 17 12.1 PromoteCivicEngagementandVolunteerism Objectives 1)Facilitateanarrayofvolunteeropportunitiesthroughcommunitymeetingswithnon-profits, hospitals,faith-basedinstitutions,etc. 2)Develop“jobdescriptions”ofpositionsavailable. 3)Initiatea“SoutholdCommunityServiceDay”withnetworkingopportunitiestoenable potentialvolunteerstolearnaboutopportunities. 4)Formalizea“TownofSoutholdCommunityService”programforyouthandthegeneral population,especiallyretiredseniors. 5)ContinueRetiredSeniorVolunteerProgram(RSVP)telephoneassuranceprogramto homeboundseniors. 6)ContinueprovisionofElderlawclinicsforseniors. 7)Exploreopportunitiesforfreelegalcounselingfornon-seniors. 8)ContinuetheTown’sparticipationinprovidingcommunityserviceopportunitieswiththe JusticeCourt. 9)Wherefeasible,supporteffortsofFireDepartmentssoastoassisttheirrecruitmentand retentionofvolunteersandenableteachingandre-certification. 10)Engageunderservedminoritiestoincreasetheirparticipationincivicaffairsand volunteerism. 11)PromotemobileTownBoardmeetingsthroughoutthecommunitytoincreaseaccessand citizenengagement. ResponsibleParties:HumanServicesDepartment,SoutholdTownBoard,Southold YouthBureau,SoutholdJusticeCourt,SoutholdAnti-BiasTaskforce,LocalCivicAssociations. PossiblePartnerships:CommunityActionSoutholdTown,FamilyServiceLeague,North ForkEarlyLearningCenter,RobertPerryDayCare,PeconicCommunityCouncil,Faith-based institutions,EasternLongIslandHospital,RetiredSeniorVolunteerProgram,PeconicBayMedical Center,FireDistricts,U.S.ArmyReserveOfficerTrainingCorps,BoyScouts,GirlScouts,Rotary Clubs,LionsClub