Browse Working Group Recommendations

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 Below each working group recommendation is an initial list of County & City departments that have committed to implementation efforts. Quarterly progress updates for listed recommendations will be posted within thirty (30) days of the prior quarter’s end (Q3= July 1 – September 30, Q4= October 1 – December 31). This list will be revised and more information will be added in the future as we engage further with the County, City, and other community organizations.

BDK1R2
Working Group: Business Development
Key Issue: ACCESS TO CAPITAL
Recommendation: In partnership with local financial institutions, local government can create a guided pathway for MWBE borrowers, which connects them first to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and then moves them to traditional financial institutions, as appropriate.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Finance / Purchasing 1-3 years
City Neighborhood & Business Development < 1 year
City Rochester Economic Development Corporation < 1 year
County Planning 1-3 years
BDK2R2
Working Group: Business Development
Key Issue: OPERATIONS & MENTORSHIP
Recommendation: Provide culturally competent mentorship and support that is proactive at reaching MWBE businesses and entrepreneurs where they currently are:
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Finance / Purchasing 3+ years
County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion < 1 year
County Environmental Services 1-2 years
BDK4R1
Working Group: Business Development
Key Issue: COMMUNICATIONS/OUTREACH
Recommendation: Host an annual joint City/County MWBE Business Development Fair, which can:
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Finance / Purchasing < 1 year
County Communications 1-3 years
County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
County Planning 1-3 years
BDK4R1a
Working Group: Business Development
Key Issue: COMMUNICATIONS/OUTREACH
Recommendation: offer training on certification and contracting requirements;
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
BDK4R1b
Working Group: Business Development
Key Issue: COMMUNICATIONS/OUTREACH
Recommendation: publicize forthcoming contract work suitable for small businesses and MWBEs;
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
BDK4R1c
Working Group: Business Development
Key Issue: COMMUNICATIONS/OUTREACH
Recommendation: promote local and regional MWBE businesses;
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
BDK4R1d
Working Group: Business Development
Key Issue: COMMUNICATIONS/OUTREACH
Recommendation: provide matchmaking for MWBE vendors and subcontractors with municipal agencies, prime contractors, and major local purchasers.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
CJK1R1a
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: PRE-ARREST DIVERSION
Recommendation: Crisis Intervention Team: a team of mental health professionals, social workers and/or crisis counselors to send as first responders to calls involving mental health crises, welfare check, substance abuse, family disputes and homelessness such as the CAHOOTS model in Eugene, Oregon.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Rochester Police Department 1-3 years
County Human Services - Mental Health
County Public Safety - Conflict Defender
CJK1R2
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: PRE-ARREST DIVERSION
Recommendation: End Pre-Textual Stops
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Rochester Police Department 1-3 years
County Public Defender < 1 year
County Public Safety - Conflict Defender 1-3 years
CJK2R2
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND PUBLIC DEFENDER
Recommendation: 24 Hour Arraignment for City Court Residence: Create 24 hour arraignments for Rochester City Court allowing criminal defendant to immediately see a Criminal Court Justice upon their arrest.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Finance / Purchasing
County Public Defender < 1 year
CJK2R5
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND PUBLIC DEFENDER
Recommendation: Data Transparency: The district attorney should provide extensive data on cases, pleas, disposition etc., to the community through an open data portal.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Public Defender 1-3 years
CJK2R6
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND PUBLIC DEFENDER
Recommendation: Tie DA budget allocation to the increased use of diversion programs.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Public Defender < 1 year
County Public Safety - Conflict Defender 1-3 years
CJK3R5
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Invest in restorative justice and diversion programs
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
County Public Safety - Conflict Defender 1-3 years
CJK3R7a
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Counseling and mentorship.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Children's Detention Center Mixed
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
CJK3R7b
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Restorative Justice Circles. Increase restorative circles use starting in the schools and community for lower level offenses.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Children's Detention Center Mixed
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
CJK3R7c
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Case Managers that create a comprehensive plan for success with parents and youth.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
CJK3R7d
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Education for family members.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
CJK3R7e
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Respite Services.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
County Public Safety 1-3 years
CJK3R7f
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Forensic Psychiatric specialist equipped to handle youth with complex mental health issues.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
CJK3R7g
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Increase community mentoring programs opportunities for kids at risk.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
CJK3R7h
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Create a job training program that diverts youth from the penal system into skill training and employment.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
CJK3R7i
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Develop an after-hours diversion program for youth in jeopardy of detention placement.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Public Safety - Conflict Defender
CJK3R7j
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Place social workers in Youth Court.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
CJK3R7k
Working Group: Criminal Justice
Key Issue: COURT/ PROBATIONS / JAIL
Recommendation: Establish within Monroe County a psychiatric facility that is equipped to assist youth facing criminal charges who are struggling with mental illnesses. While these youth are often brought to the detention center, the center is not adequately staffed to meet their needs.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Children's Detention Center Mixed
County Human Services - Mental Health Mixed
EDK1R1
Working Group: Education
Key Issue: LIMITED ACCESS & RESOURCES
Recommendation: Integrate Monroe County youth services into school system to provide a continuation of learning and access during suspension and long-term absences.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
EDK1R3
Working Group: Education
Key Issue: LIMITED ACCESS & RESOURCES
Recommendation: Create a system for the Department of Mental Health to lead and set expectations for certifications and yearly training for teachers, school therapists, and social workers.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
EDK2R2
Working Group: Education
Key Issue: TESTING & CURRICULUM
Recommendation: Apply for a waiver from the New York State Board of Regents to use alternative methods of assessments that allow students to demonstrate proficiency.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 1-3 years
EDK3R1
Working Group: Education
Key Issue: LANGUAGE ACCESS
Recommendation: Create a centralized language center for residents to access resources in their native language
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
EDK4R4
Working Group: Education
Key Issue: FUNDING
Recommendation: Create a business incubator model, driven by the City and/or County, to stimulate multilingual translation services.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
EDPLR6
Working Group: Education
Key Issue: Parking Lot
Recommendation: Advocate all county school districts to implement a K-12 multi-racial, anti-racist, and cultural curriculum and require proof of inclusion in teachers’ lesson plans.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
HCK1R2
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS/INFRASTRUCTURE
Recommendation: Amend Chapter 101 of the County Codes to require representation of Black, Indigenous and People of Color on the County Medical Advisory Council and County Medical Advisory Board and (if permitted by state law) compensate members for their service
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Law < 1 year
HCK2R3
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE TO INCREASE RACIAL HEALTH EQUITY
Recommendation: Create/amend Land Trusts and Land Banks to include use of land for community health centers in neighborhoods with high populations of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Neighborhood & Business Development < 1 year
City Youth & Human Services 1-3 years
County Law 1-3 years
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 1-3 years
HCK2R4
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE TO INCREASE RACIAL HEALTH EQUITY
Recommendation: Decentralize Monroe County Department of Public Health services and put locations in neighborhoods with high populations of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Public Health < 1 year
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 1-3 years
HCK2R6
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY OF HEALTHCARE TO INCREASE RACIAL HEALTH EQUITY
Recommendation: Create a municipal health care access program that guarantees affordable healthcare for any uninsured county resident who does not qualify for another healthcare plan, regardless of immigration status, income level, or pre-existing conditions.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Public Health 1-3 years
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 3+ years
HCK3R2
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: IMPACTING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH TO INCREASE RACIAL EQUITY
Recommendation: Amend Zoning Codes, Incentive Zoning, and Planned Development Districts to support development of grocery stores, pharmacies, community health centers, primary and specialist care, recreational green space, and fitness centers in neighborhoods with high racial health disparities.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Planning 1-3 years
County Public Health 1-3 years
HCK4R1
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: PREVENTATIVE CARE TO REDUCE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Recommendation: Create a partnership between Department of Public Health, Monroe Community College, and Rochester City School District to offer free online and in-person courses on preventive health topics in community settings
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Public Health < 1 year
HCK5R4
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: ANTI-RACIST, RESPECTFUL, INTEGRATED, AND QUALITY CARE
Recommendation: Establish a County-wide ombudsperson office where residents can report discrimination in healthcare (whether provided by the County or private healthcare systems) and receive assistance in filing complaints with the NYS Commission on Human Rights. Office to have a Community Advisory Board with requirements that members include Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and representatives from other marginalized groups who (if permitted by state law) are compensated for their service.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
HCK5R6
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: ANTI-RACIST, RESPECTFUL, INTEGRATED, AND QUALITY CARE
Recommendation: Amend Section 63 of City Charter to prohibit discrimination, including racial discrimination, in health care
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Law
HCK6R5
Working Group: Healthcare
Key Issue: ANTI-RACIST TRAINING & LEADERSHIP
Recommendation: Convene a partnership between BOCES and RCSD to offer the New Visions program to RCSD students to introduce them to healthcare professions and mentor them in applying for post -secondary certification and higher education programs
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Public Health 1-3 years
HOK1R1
Working Group: Housing
Key Issue: DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES IN HOUSING
Recommendation: Monroe County and the City of Rochester should adopt a policy in support of “greenlining.”
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Neighborhood & Business Development < 1 year
City Rochester Economic Development Corporation 1-3 years
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 3+ years
HOK1R3
Working Group: Housing
Key Issue: DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES IN HOUSING
Recommendation: Consider adoption of a County-level law prohibiting discrimination in the sale, purchase, financing, renting or leasing of housing
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Law
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations
HOK2R1
Working Group: Housing
Key Issue: LAND USE REGULATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES
Recommendation: Work to reduce or eliminate exclusionary zoning.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Neighborhood & Business Development < 1 year
County Law 1-10 years
County Planning 1-3 years
HOK2R2
Working Group: Housing
Key Issue: LAND USE REGULATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES
Recommendation: Encourage or incentivize affordable housing in all communities within Monroe County.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Neighborhood & Business Development < 1 year
County Planning 1-3 years
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 3+ years
HOK3R2
Working Group: Housing
Key Issue: HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Recommendation: Explore the feasibility of a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase law in Rochester.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Neighborhood & Business Development 1-3 years
County Planning 3+ years
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 1-3 years
HOPLR1
Working Group: Housing
Key Issue: Parking Lot
Recommendation: Advocate for a public bank that can be used to support affordable housing efforts as well as credit unions that produce mortgages for low-income homebuyers. Public banking appears to require state legislation to amend state finance and / or banking law. State Sen. James Sanders Jr. has a pending bill to amend banking law to create a framework to allow cities and counties to create public banks. It is before the Banks Committee.144
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Neighborhood & Business Development 3+ years
JCK1R1
Working Group: Job Creation
Key Issue: EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CIVIL SERVICE JOBS
Recommendation: Simplify and streamline job classifications and applications.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Human Resource Management 1-3 years
County Human Resources
JCK2R1
Working Group: Job Creation
Key Issue: MINORITY-AND-WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES (MWBEs)
Recommendation: Create a local MWBE certification program that supports businesses both before and after the certification process.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 1-3 years
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 1-3 years
MHK10R1
Working Group: Mental Health/Addiction
Key Issue: Cross Sector
Recommendation: Create a County-City Accountability Committee/Board composed of a diverse consumer, non-governmental organizations, and professional membership for monitoring system initiatives to overcome barriers to care based on structure, race, or ability to pay. To ensure independence and accountability to the community, however, the committee should not be led by a professional.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Mental Health 1-3 years
County Public Health 1-3 years
MHK1R1
Working Group: Mental Health/Addiction
Key Issue: Availability of sufficient, high-quality mental health and addiction services is extremely limited in trusted community settings for people of color and low-income people.
Recommendation: Practices: Develop Community Behavioral Health Advocates (CBHA), a program employing local residents who are trained and certified to assist people with advocacy; offer help to connect with and navigate behavioral 170 Mental Health Association of Rochester / Monroe County. “Racism is a Public Health Crisis.” https://www.mharochester.org/mha-acknowledges-racism-as-a-public-health-crisis/ 183 health services; identify distressed persons who need services before emergencies occur; and provide low-complexity therapeutic interventions, as appropriate.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Mental Health 3+ years
County Public Health 3+ years
County Public Safety - Central Police Services 1-3 years
MHK3R1
Working Group: Mental Health/Addiction
Key Issue: Mental health and addiction services are often unaligned and disconnected, as are City and County initiatives on these issues. Misalignment exacerbates and prolongs racial and ethnic inequities in access to mental health and addiction services.
Recommendation: Systems: Assure that current County and City initiatives regarding mental health emergency response services are fully integrated — i.e., one emergency response system, not two. A
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Human Services - Mental Health 3+ years
County Public Health Mixed
County Public Safety - Conflict Defender 3+ years
POK1R3
Working Group: Policing
Key Issue: HIRING
Recommendation: We are recommending the City of Rochester enhance the Career Pathways to Public Safety program offered by the Rochester City School District, and the PREP program offered by Monroe Community College to firmly establish a direct pipeline for the youth of Monroe County to enter the ranks of local law enforcement
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services 1-3 years
County Human Services - Youth Bureau 1-3 years
County Public Safety 1-3 years
POK1R5
Working Group: Policing
Key Issue: HIRING
Recommendation: we recommend the final interview for police candidates include representatives from the community as interviewers, including interviewers from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds for all local law enforcement officers.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
POK2R2
Working Group: Policing
Key Issue: TRAINING
Recommendation: Our working group recommends significantly increasing this requirement to include cultural competency training, implicit and explicit bias training, Procedural Justice training and historical aspects of policing training.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Rochester Police Department 1-3 years
POK3R1
Working Group: Policing
Key Issue: OPERATIONAL PRACTICES
Recommendation: We recommend local law enforcement agencies be mandated to collect and regularly report on a quarterly basis, demographic information of all individuals they interact with in arrests, traffic investigations, street stops, and uses of force. Furthermore, we recommend the demographic information be collected and regularly reported for personnel complaints, also on a quarterly basis. We further recommend this data be included in their annual reports and, relative to the Rochester Police Department, be included on their Open Data Portal, entered into their TRACS system, and sent to the Rochester Police Accountability Board. If other local police agencies develop a similar civilian oversight process, we recommend this data be sent to their board for review
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
SSK1R1
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: CHILD WELFARE
Recommendation: Implement Blind Removal Meetings
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Human Services - Child & Family Services < 1 year
SSK1R2
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: CHILD WELFARE
Recommendation: Hire Cultural Brokers
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Human Services - Child & Family Services 1-3 years
County Public Safety - Conflict Defender 3+ years
SSK1R3
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: CHILD WELFARE
Recommendation: Create Kinship Navigators
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Human Services - Child & Family Services < 1 year
SSK1R4
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: CHILD WELFARE
Recommendation: Internal DHS Policy Change
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Human Services - Child & Family Services 1-3 years
SSK1R5
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: CHILD WELFARE
Recommendation: Cultural Competence and Community Education
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services
County Human Services - Child & Family Services 1-3 years
SSK2R1
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Since most sanctions are a result of non-compliance of requirements related to employment or substance abuse, we must assess the way Monroe Co determines compliance and relax any regulations that create particularly high rates of sanction (see analysis to follow).
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance
SSK2R10
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Establishment of a Working Group for Continuous Improvement
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance 1-3 years
SSK2R11
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: The County must also provide consistency in case workers and in the application of federal laws like the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act and the Interethnic Adoptions Provisions law. (Human Services)
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
SSK2R2
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Reimagine the process by which someone is sanctioned and then conciliated in order to create a system that uses sanctions as an absolute last resort (analysis to follow).
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance
SSK2R3
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Begin to track sanctions and Fair Hearings by race and ethnicity.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance
SSK2R4
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Monroe County should review its Employment Plan in the context of the comparative information gathered and submit revisions that significantly relax the employment requirements for individuals receiving public assistance. This particularly important right now, as the COVID-19 epidemic has significantly impaired our local economy and created exceptionally high unemployment rates. Monroe County’s employment plan must match this economic reality and be “person-centered” to ensure that we are providing public assistance to as many vulnerable households as possible. Specifically, we recommend:
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
SSK2R5
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Monroe County should review the ARES system with a committee that consists of experts in addiction recovery, community-based CASACs, and individuals who previously received public assistance. The committee should set out to amend the reporting system to follow best practices of addiction recovery, and to ensure that a sanction is never used as anything other than a last resort.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance 1-3 years
County Human Services - Mental Health 3+ years
SSK2R6
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Monroe County should permanently eliminate the 85% attendance threshold for individuals recovering from substance abuse. The County should work with the Committee established in Recommendation 1 to create new, person-centered requirements in line with NYS rules and regulations.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance
County Human Services - Mental Health 3+ years
SSK2R7
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Monroe County should evaluate all substance abuse practices and policies with a goal of embracing harm reduction as an evidence-based strategy, while still encouraging abstinence as appropriate. (This echoes a recommendation of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Working Group.)
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance
SSK2R8
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Move to a Pre-sanction Review Process
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
SSK2R9
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: ELIGIBILITY
Recommendation: Post-Sanction Support System: If a sanction is imposed, MCDHS should engage the individual and family to discuss the parameters of the sanction, opportunities to lift the sanction or come into compliance, and additional supports available to ensure compliance is maintained. Post sanction engagement would also assist the agency in keeping in contact with sanctioned individuals and families giving them the best possible opportunity for success and reengagement. Postsanction support should be provided orally by a caseworker and in plain language notices, covering the following:
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Financial Assistance
SSK3R1
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: OLDER ADULTS
Recommendation: Support and Invest in Livable Communities for Older Adults Initiative
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
County Human Services - Aging & Adult Services 3+ years
SSK3R3
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: OLDER ADULTS
Recommendation: Upgrade senior centers in neighborhoods of most need
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Youth & Human Services 1-3 years
County Human Services - Aging & Adult Services 1-3 years
County State and Federal Intergovernmental Relations 3+ years
SSK4R8
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: CULTURAL COMPETENCE
Recommendation: Evaluate contractors’ ability to provide culturally competent services when selecting contract providers (Contractors performing the work should be directly tied to the community. Articulate any cultural and language competence conditions in contracts with providers. Support contractors to meet these standards)
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Finance / Purchasing 1-3 years
County Planning < 1 year
SSK4R9
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: CULTURAL COMPETENCE
Recommendation: Create a Cultural Competence Advisory Committee
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
Owning Entity Pending
SSPLR3
Working Group: Human/Social Services
Key Issue: Parking Lot
Recommendation: Poverty - the disproportionately high rates of poverty among older Black Americans and other adults of color, and their greater need for services, is primarily caused by a lifetime of higher instances of occupational discrimination, underemployment, and lower rates of intergenerational wealth, due in part to redlining and discrimination. There are no quick fixes for the massive income and wealth disparities in our society that are engineered into the fabric of structural racism and the exploitation of labor. The only way to reduce these inequities in the next generation is to correct the current compensation structure of the workforce, while noting that many older adults are currently working in low wage jobs at well beyond “normal” retirement age. Nothing 159 short of “making work pay” will solve the moral injustice of increasing poverty and disparities in the older adult population of Monroe County, a condition largely attributable to declining wages and benefits. Therefore, both county and city governments should join and lead in all efforts to bring every job in Monroe County to a level of self-sufficient wages, comprehensive medical benefits, and retirement savings paid by the employer. One such effort is RMAPI’s employer pledge. Others include the “Fight for $15” and the drive for a voluntary living wage paid by all employers.
Get Involved
Owner Organization / Department Timeframe
City Finance / Purchasing < 1 year
City Youth & Human Services < 1 year
County Finance / Purchasing < 1 year

 View Summary Recommendations