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Center for Employment and Economic Supports
Rus Sykes, Deputy Commissioner
The Center for Employment and Economic Supports (CEES) is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures for OTDA programs that provide temporary assistance to families and individuals while helping them achieve economic independence. Among these programs are: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Safety Net Assistance, Food Stamps, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Center accomplishes this work through various bureaus that oversee specific programs, and offer advice and consultation to the local district social services (LDSS) offices, which administer the programs in each county. In addition to these functions, CEES is also responsible for the development of federally-required State Plans and related legislation, the development of State regulations and administrative directives for these programs and the oversight of current and new welfare reform initiatives.
The Center’s Bureau of Employment and Advancement Services is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of employment policies and programs for the public assistance and food stamp programs. As part of this work, staff develop programs and policies for particular groups of individuals including those with barriers to employment. CEES also provides training and outreach regarding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and other benefits and services available to working families and individuals.
Each year CEES also oversees the implementation and operation of the Summer Youth Employment Program. It prepares Requests for Proposals/funding applications and develops contracts/agreements with selected organizations for initiatives such as Educational Resources, Bridge, wage subsidy, transportation, and specialized work programs. In addition, CEES oversees regional Jobs staff who work across the State in LDSS, One-Stops, DOL offices and other community based locations providing direct employment services.
The Temporary Assistance Bureau not only oversees the all of the temporary assistance programs but also has responsibility for policy regarding housing and shelter programs that are offered by the local social services districts as part of their temporary assistance benefits. Additionally, the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS) Unit, under the TA Bureau, is responsible for the oversight of the various shelter litigation and shelter supplements that are available to temporary assistance recipients.
Working in concert with the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT), CEES is responsible for developing operating systems business rules to ensure that program, policy and procedure changes are reflected in OTDA’s existing Welfare Management System, and for developing new strategies and technological advancements such as “myBenefits”, an open portal, multi-program access point to human service programs, that can improve local district social services operations, The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Bureau manages the contract for the provision of EBT services and oversees and coordinates all EBT-related operations and activities within New York State. In addition, CEES provides specialized operational services to implement the State Supplemental Personal Needs Allowance (SSPNA) and a toll-free information Hotline. Additionally, the Center is responsible for the development of state policies, applications for Federal grants and development of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in numerous welfare-to-work and related contract programs to deliver services to families and individuals served through OTDA.