Highland Chocolates: |
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A Department-run, community-based candy business, Highland Chocolates provides employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities and students involved in the School-To Work Program. |
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Adventure Challenge Experience (A.C.E.): |
The A.C.E. after school and summer program for youth is a Goal oriented and prevention-based offering outdoor activities and educational opportunities in a structured environment. Youth sign a behavioral contract and work to meet the goals specified in the agreement, participating in activities that build trust, teamwork and endurance. The youth also take part in a variety of educational programs on preventive health and drug and alcohol prevention. A.C.E. programs are available to Tioga County Youth who meet the eligibility guidelines. The program is open to 10-17 year olds. The A.C.E. program includes three components:
Wilderness Experience:
Specialized activities are used as a motivational tool to encourage positive behavior and help youth develop self-esteem. Working with specially trained counselors, the youth participate in a variety of activities including mountain biking, canoeing, skiing, camping, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, snowshoeing, , rock-climbing, ropes course, non-competitive games and team building skills with the goal of encouraging positive insight and behavior.
NYPUM (National Youth Project Using Minibikes):
The minibike is used as a motivational tool to encourage positive behavior and help youth develop self-esteem and a sense of belonging. By working toward the goals specified in their behavioral contract, youth earn the privilege to ride a minibike at the program site. Participants complete a 21-part lesson plan that teaches safe riding skills, responsibility to other riders and the mechanics of a minibike.
Fairways to Success:
The privilege of playing golf is used as a motivational tool to help youth build self-esteem and develop leadership and communication skills. Fairways is based on the national First Tee golf and life skills curriculum. |
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Adventure Ropes Course: |
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Situated on a wooded hilltop overlooking the Department, the Ropes Course combines outdoor adventure and lessons in teamwork. A 19-station maze of cables, logs, platforms and ropes, the course features both high and low rope challenges designed to increase self-confidence, develop leadership skills and promote cooperation and physical fitness. Both full and half-day sessions are available for groups with activities tailored to meet each groups’ age and skill levels. Specially trained instructors guide participants through each activity and help ensure a safe and fun-filled day of challenges. The course is available for use by community groups and businesses for a fee.
Ropes Course sessions are available seven days a week during daylight hours and can be customized to meet the needs of the organization. Teambuilding workshops can be portable and on-site. |
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Child Safety Seat Loaner Program: |
| Offered in cooperation with the Lycoming Comprehensive Highway Safety Program, the loaner service provides safety seats for infants, toddlers and children under the age of 8. A nominal deposit is required initially, but is refunded if the seat is returned in good condition. The program also includes education on proper seat installation and safety check-ups every three months to ensure that the seat is still in safe condition and is still appropriate for the child’s weight. The safety seat loaner program is open to all Tioga County residents, regardless of income. Loaner seats are available for as long as needed. |
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Family Bicycle Safety Derby: |
| FREE bicycle derbies are held in various communities throughout the county. These derbies are designed to promote bike safety and help educate youth and their families on proper bike maintenance. Each derby features a riding course that gives the participant an opportunity to test his or her riding skills and to learn proper signaling and how to avoid common handling mistakes that can lead to bicycle accidents. |
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Student Transition and Recovery Program (STAR): |
| STAR is an innovative program that combines military-style discipline efforts, counseling, and academic instruction to improve the overall quality of the learning environment, address truancy issues, and reduce or eliminate the need for out-of-home placement. The program primarily addresses the needs of middle school students (ages 9-15) who have committed offenses that warrant suspension from school or detention in a juvenile facility. STAR allows students to remain in their homes and schools as an alternative to juvenile detention centers and alternative schools. The program is unique in the fact that the instructors are contracted employees of STAR, but the Tioga County Department of Human Services supplies tutoring and counseling services to the program. |
| Family Support Alliance (FSA): |
| This program provides handouts and literature offered through various departments of the Tioga County Department of Human Services. This literature can help parents and/or caregivers develop new skills and behaviors to prevent, or eliminate child abuse in the home. Resources are available regarding communication and interaction, as well as how to give and receive support. For information, call 1-800-242-5766 and ask for the Community Services Department. |
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Child Care Information Services (CCIS) of Tioga County: |
| For Parents:
The hub of child care information in Tioga County, CCIS not only provides parents with information about how to choose an appropriate child care provider but, upon request, also provides computer generated referrals to regulated day care facilities. In addition, CCIS has a wealth of materials about other programs and services available for children and their families, including the child care subsidy program.
For Child Care Providers:
CCIS also offers services for child care providers in Tioga County and those interested in becoming a child care provider – from keeping existing providers up-to-date on current policy changes, to training and grant opportunities, licensing information and technical assistance. |
| Support, Teach, and Educate Parents (STEPs): |
| Educational programs on homemaking, parenting and life skills are available to individuals and families living in Tioga County who are receiving children and youth services through Family Services. Taught in the home are: parenting methods using role modeling techniques, educational materials to read or watch and/or work sheets to complete, and homemaking skills such as menu planning, grocery shopping, preparing food, cooking, cleaning, and/or doing laundry, as well as developing a budget for the household, paying bills and other life skills. |
| Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): |
| The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families. Each day, millions of children who are enrolled at participating child care centers and day care homes receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The program also provides meals to children residing in emergency shelters, and snacks to youth participating in afterschool care programs. |
| Supervision Program: |
| The Tioga County Supervision Program was developed to address the need of visitation when contact with a parent raises concerns for the health or safety of a child. The mission of the Program is to arrange and facilitate safe, supervised visitation by children with their parent(s) when a court, agency, or other individual has determined that custody or unsupervised contact may endanger the child. The goal is to provide: a safe and neutral environment for visits; to promote family interaction by enabling positive ongoing visits between parents and children; to provide feedback to the Court and/or private attorneys; and, to assist in facilitating the early return home of children in foster care or other placements. Referrals are made by the Court, private attorneys, and parents. Supervised visitation is available during normal business hours and in the evening and on weekends as available. |
| Time Limited Family Reunification: |
| This is an intensive children and youth program that works in specialized case management teams to provide and work closely with parents and caretakers of children in placements to return the children to their homes as quickly as possible. The family is offered therapeutic programs, FGDM Family Group Decision Making) and any other services to aid in the reunification. |
| ICM (Intensive Case Management): |
| This is an intensive children and youth program that works with families to help them enhance their strengths in crucial areas such as child care, discipline, physical standards, budgeting, and hygiene. This program provides the necessary services to keep children in their homes. |
| Seeds of Hope Partners: |
| This is a ministry of area churches and other interested individuals in partnership with TCDHS. “Seeds” works with families in crisis to provide basic needs to maintain families and aid in reunifying families. One focus is home repairs for health and safety. Seeds can provide diapers, clothing, hygiene, and food, for needy families. Providing beds and bedding to children is also a major priority. Seeds also assist with transportation to doctor and other necessary appointments. |
| Volunteer Services: |
| A list of volunteers wanting to work with families involved with the Tioga County Dept. of Human Services is maintained for the purpose of having readily available transporters, mentors, visitation supervisors, etc. The Coordinator of Volunteer Services assures that appropriate clearances are obtained for the department’s volunteers and that they are placed on a list that is available to staff when searching for a volunteer to meet consumer needs. |