Preventive Services

Preventive Services are supportive and rehabilitative services that are provided to children and their families for the purpose of:

  • Averting an impairment or disruption of a family which will or could result in the placement of a child in foster care.
  • Enabling a child who has been placed in foster care to return to his family at an earlier time than would otherwise be possible.
  • Reducing the likelihood that a child who has been discharged from foster care would return to such care.

Families in receipt of Preventive Services are often involved in the Family Court system.  The Court may impose orders such as an Order of Supervision or an Order of Protection stemming from a Neglect or Abuse Petition having been filed by the Department.  Staff and/or contract staff work with children and families to mitigate the identified risk, ensure child safety, and enhance family functioning.

Diversion Services are a preventive service geared toward the adolescent population displaying behaviors that place a youth at risk of out-of-home placement.  These services are offered primarily through contractual agreements and provide intensive home-based services to reduce the risk of placement. Often these youth present to the agency as having a child service need such as truancy, incorrigibility, or juvenile delinquency. Services are offered to assist children with a myriad of needs including but not limited to obtaining mental health services, reducing truancy and/or criminal behavior(s), accessing substance abuse programs, and working with parents on identified parent needs that may be impacting the child’s behavior.

Building Address Phone Number

Oneida County Office Building

800 Park Avenue
Utica, New York

(315) 798-5738

Oneida County Partners