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Specialized Services


Intensive Case Management (ICM)

The ICM program is a voluntary, in-home program offered to a wide range of families involved in Children and Youth services. ICM workers aim to maintain children’s safety within their home and address ongoing concerns that could lead to out-of-home placement. ICM workers can offer support and guidance for parenting and discipline or assist in housing and employment opportunities.

Time Limited Family Reunification (TLFR)

This program works intensely to reunite families as quickly as possible when children are placed out of the home. The TLFR worker will guide, assist, and support parents to alleviate concerns that led to placement as well as observe visitations between parents and children to assess areas of need. The worker will provide reports to the court on the progress, assist with supervised visitations, and advocate for the family.

Effective Safe Parenting (ESP)

ESP services are offered to families with children in and out of the home, with an emphasis on drug and alcohol addiction, relapse prevention, and sober parenting. The program promotes positive drug-free activities while rebuilding the relationship between parents and their children.

Plans of Safe Care (POSC)

A POSC is a voluntary service that is mandated to be offered to expecting or existing mothers with substance use. The program is designed to alleviate long-term effects of substance use on neo-natal and post-natal infants.

Support, Teach, and Educate Parents (STEPS)

The STEPS program provides help and support to parents. It is a voluntary, in-home program offered to families who are receiving Children and Youth services. Using a variety of methods and materials, STEPS workers teach parenting, household management, child development, and anger management skills. A parent can count on their STEPS worker to be a helper who can be called upon for parental advice and direction, to be an advocate who will work with them on solving household management problems, and to be a support person for the times when they just need someone to talk to about being a parent. 

Promoting Responsible Fatherhood (PRF) 

The Promoting Responsible Fatherhood program targets fathers who are receiving Children and Youth Services. Its purpose is to teach fathers the following: 

  • appropriate parenting skills to include non-physical modes of discipline
  • how to manage anger and resolve conflict
  • how to use teamwork within the family to accomplish goals
  • how to resolve issues involving their work and community

The PRF Program uses a combination of resources including the Nurturing Father’s Program. This program describes a nurturing father as “a man who actively provides guidance, love, and support to enhance the development and growth of children for whom he cares.” Each father also undergoes standardized testing before and after program completion in order to determine the extent of learning that has occurred.

Child Safety Seat Loaner Program 

Offered in cooperation with the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Program, the loaner service provides safety seats for infants, toddlers and children under the age of 8. Recipients must participate in a short training in proper car seat care and installation. A small initial deposit is requested, and refunded if the seat is returned in good condition. The safety seat loaner program is available to all Tioga County residents regardless of income.

Adventure Challenge Experience (A.C.E.)

The A.C.E. after school and summer program for youth is goal-oriented and prevention-based offering outdoor activities and educational opportunities in a structured environment. Youth sign a behavioral contract, work to meet the goals, and participate in activities that build trust, teamwork and endurance. Youth also engage in a variety of educational programs including preventative health and drug and alcohol prevention. A.C.E. programs are available to Tioga County youth who meet the eligibility guidelines. The A.C.E. program includes these three components:

     Wilderness Experience

     Specialized activities are used as motivational tools to encourage positive behavior and help youth develop self-esteem. Working with highly trained                counselors, youth participate in activities including mountain biking, canoeing, skiing, camping, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, snowshoeing, rock-                  climbing, and the ropes course. Non-competitive games support team building and pro-social skills. 

     NYPUM (National Youth Project Using Minibikes)

     Minibikes are used to encourage positive behavior, help youth develop self-confidence, and a sense of belonging. As youth work toward the goals of their       behavioral contract, they earn the privilege to ride a minibike at the program site. All youth participate in a 21-lesson preparation course prior to actually         operating a minibike.

     Fairways to Success

     The privilege of playing golf is a motivational tool to encourage youth in building self-confidence, leadership, and strong communication skills. This                 program is based on the national First Tee golf and life skills curriculum.

Adventure Ropes Course

The ropes course is situated on a hill overlooking the department and combines outdoor adventure with lessons in teamwork. The course consists of 19 stations creating a maze of cables, logs, platforms, and ropes. There are both high and low rope challenges designed to increase confidence, leadership skills, cooperation, and physical fitness. Full and half day sessions are available for groups with activities tailored to meet a range of age and skill levels. Highly trained instructors guide participants through all course activities. The course is available to community groups for a fee.

Family Group Decision Making

This is a process for families to gather and create their own plans to ensure the wellbeing and safety of children. A facilitator guides relatives, friends, and case management through discussion of family strengths and concerns. The family is then given opportunity to develop a plan that will both protect and prevent future harm to their children.

Seeds of Hope Partners, Inc.

This is a ministry of area communities of faith, private individuals, and TCDHS. “Seeds” works with families in crisis to provide basic needs for the purposes of maintaining families and aiding reunification efforts. Seeds can provide clothing, diapers, hygiene, food, and furniture. Home repairs and transportation for medical reasons can also be requested.

Student Transition and Recovery Program (STAR)

STAR is an innovative program that combines a military-style structure, counseling, and academic support to improve the overall quality of the learning environment. The program also addresses truancy and reduces the need for out-of-home placements. Youth ages 9-15 who have committed offenses that warrant suspension from school or detention in a juvenile facility can be candidates for the STAR program. 

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

This federal program helps to supplement the nutritional needs of low-income families by providing them with emergency food assistance. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases food supplies and distributes them throughout the country. States receive supply distributions based on low-income and unemployment statistics. States provide the food to local agencies who then disperse to pantries and soup kitchens that serve the public directly.

In Tioga County, the Department of Human Services distributes TEFAP allocations to five food pantries located in Mansfield, Westfield, Wellsboro, Millerton, and Tioga. TEFAP recipients are required to sign a Self Declaration of Need form that confirms their financial need based on total household income. No income verification is required and no person is turned away who demonstrates food insufficiency. Each person or family is able to make one visit a month to the food pantry closest to their home.