Education Services Division

Head Start

Head Start provides a comprehensive, center-based child development program for 417 three and four year old children and their families with a focus on social competence and school readiness, including early literacy.

Eligibility

• 3 and 4 year old children
• 100% Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
• SSI and TANF recipients categorically eligible
• A small percentage of over-income children may be enrolled
• Children with special needs receive priority
• Rensselaer County residents

Early Head Start

Provides a comprehensive, center-based child development program for 103 infants, toddlers and pregnant women. The focus for Early Head Start is social skills, and age appropriate development.

Eligibility

• Pregnant women and children up to age 3
• 100% Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
• SSI and TANF recipients categorically eligible
• A small percentage of over-income children may be enrolled
• Children with special needs receive priority
• Rensselaer County residents

Universal Pre-K and Targeted Pre-K

Head Start has formed collaborations with Troy, Lansingburgh, Hoosick Valley, and Hoosick Falls School Districts to form partnerships with these districts to prepare children for kindergarten.

Eligibility

• Must be Head Start eligible
• Must reside in appropriate school district

Daycare / Child Care

Day care provides full-day, full-year day care services for working families. Children's ages range from 6 weeks to 5 years. During the summer months, a summer program for school age children is held and field trips are incorporated into the program.

Eligibility

• Children ages 6 weeks to 5 years
• Summer program for school age children (5-12 years of age)
• Weekly Fees are charged for program services.

WIC

Provides nutrition education, food vouchers and health referrals for infants and children to age 5, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.

Eligibility

• Pregnant women, infants and children to age 5
• 185% Federal Poverty Level Guidelines

Community Based Services

Teenage Opportunity Program

Assists pregnant, parenting and at-risk teenagers to learn about and access needed services in the community.

Eligibility

• Youth ages 14-21
• Must be receiving Medicaid through Rensselaer County

YouthBuild

The Youthbuild program provides an innovative education, construction training and leadership development program for low-income young men and women residing in Troy’s Enterprise Community and surrounding area.

Eligibility

• Youth ages 16-24
• Must be low-income, but no set requirements
• Priority given to youth residing in disadvantaged areas of Troy
• Program targets school drop-outs

Students Outreach Services

CEO has partnered with the Troy City School District to provide educational, family development & counseling services to Middle & High School students.

The program is located at the Family Resource Center and provides 2 teachers, a crisis prevention specialist and a monitor in the classroom.

Eligibility

• Troy  City  School  District
• Middle  and High School Students
• 7-12 grades

Family & Children’s Service

Family & children's Services provides counseling for individuals, families, couples and groups; classroom observations; and training for staff and community customers.

Eligibility

• No income requirements.  Fees are determined using a sliding scale.  MVP is the only insurance accepted (Medicaid not accepted)
• YouthBuild students and Head Start/Early Head Start families are eligible to receive counseling services free of charge

Children’s Center at Family Court

Children's Center at Family Court provides drop-in care for children whose caregivers have business in Family Court.

Eligibility

• Children 6 weeks to 12 years of age whose care givers are attending Rensselaer County Family Court proceedings

Community Connections

Community Connections provides any and all citizens and providers with information about CEO programs and other community resources.  Emergency services are available through this program.

Eligibility

• No income requirements.  Services provided according to need.

Supplemental Homelessness Intervention Program (SHIP)

SHIP provides assistance to TANF-eligible families at risk of becoming homeless to help them avoid eviction.  On going family development case management services are available to help participating families maintain safe, affordable, permanent housing.

Eligibility

• 200% Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
• Families, including non-custodial parents, per eligibility criteria for TANF services
• Must be facing eviction or utility shut off

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry provides a three-day supply of nutritious food to individuals and families.  CEO’s food pantry is unique among food pantries in the area because it is able to offer a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eligibility

• No income requirements.
• Services available 2 times per month according to need.

Interview Outfitters

Interview Outfitters provides CEO customers with free clothing and accessories for job interviews.

Eligibility

• No income requirements.  Services provided according to need.

Foster Grandparents

The foster Grandparent program allows seniors, age 60 or over, to volunteer up to 40 hours each week with children who have special needs.  Foster Grandparents receive transportation reimbursement and stipends if income eligible.

Eligibility

• Must be 60 years of age or older
• 125% Federal Poverty Level Guidelines to receive $2.65 per hour stipend
• Medical expenses an allowable deduction when determining income eligibility

21^st Century

The 21st Century Program is an after school and summer academic enrichment and recreation program for students attending the Enlarged City School District of Troy.  CEO provides family development services for this school district program.

Eligibility

• Program is designed to help targeted middle school students achieve a score of three or better on the New York State English Language Arts Assessment.

Housing Division

Weatherization Assistance Program

Our Housing Division provides energy conservation and health & safety measures, including insulation and heating system repair/replacement, at no charge to eligible homeowners and renters in Rensselaer County.

Eligibility

• Open to homeowners and renters in Rensselaer County
• 60% State Median Income Guidelines
• SSI, HEAP, TANF and Food Stamp recipients categorically eligible

Weatherization Network Initiative

WNI provides electric reduction measures for eligible 1 to 4 family homes.  Electric reduction measures may include the installation of energy efficient appliances and lighting, as well as fuel conversions from electricity.

Eligibility

• Open to homeowners and renters in Rensselaer, Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady and Washington Counties
• 60% State Median Income Guidelines
• This program is coordinated with the Weatherization Assistance Program to provide customers meeting specific criteria with electric reduction measures.

Home Performance and Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star Programs

As a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified contractor, CEO offers complete home analysis services, including energy audits and property inspections, through the Home Performance and Assisted Home Performance with Energy Star^â Programs.  Recommendations are made and CEO staff is available to assist with improvements.  Income eligible households may receive subsidies and low-interest loans to help cover the cost of recommended work scopes.

Eligibility

• Open to all homeowners in Capital Region
• 80% State Median Income Guidelines to receive Assisted Home Performance subsidy and low-interest loan option

Assisted Multi-family Program (AMP)

As a local case manager for this program, CEO is available to provide owners of multi-unit buildings with low-income tenants with access to technical and financial assistance to identify and install energy efficient measures in their buildings.

Eligibility

• Program is for owners of buildings with more than 4 units that rent to low-income population

EmPower New York

CEO is a participating contractor for this NYSERDA sponsored program.  The goal of the program is to help low-income customers reduce energy use and costs.  As a participating contractor, CEO can install energy saving measures for customers that utility companies refer to EmPower New York.

Eligibility

• Customers must be referred to the program through either Niagara Mohawk or New York State Electric and Gas

HOME Program (Troy)

The HOME program provides housing rehabilitation for elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners in the City of Troy, including heating, electrical, plumbing and construction work.  Rehabilitation services address health and safety concerns in the home.

Eligibility

• Open to homeowners in Troy
• Must meet specified HUD income criteria
• Priority given to elderly, disabled and very low-income

HOME Program (Berlin)

The HOME program provides housing rehabilitation for low-income homeowners in the Town of Berlin that address health and safety concerns in the home.

Eligibility

• Open to homeowners in Berlin
• Must meet specified HUD income criteria
• Priority given to elderly and very low-income

HOME Program (Village of Hoosick Falls))

The HOME program provides housing rehabilitation for low-income homeowners in the Village of Hoosick Falls that address health and safety concerns in the home.

Eligibility

• Open to homeowners in Village of Hoosick Falls
• Must meet specified HUD income criteria
• Priority given to elderly, disabled, single parent households and very low-income