September: Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. 

Below is a compilation of Westchester County Suicide Prevention Coalition (SPC)-sponsored events as well as others we are aware of/involved in.  Please join us and spread the word !

-All month: Pinwheels have been placed at the Healing Garden at Ridge Road Park for each person lost to suicide in 2024 - Ridge Road Park

-All month: DCMH will hold a social media campaign (Facebook, X, Instagram) for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Recovery Month. Theme is #988

-All month: County Center electronic banners will be promoting 988 and Suicide Prevention  

-9/14/25: The WC SPC Veterans Committee is hosting a Firearms and Medication safety event at the Larchmont VFW 2pm-4pm (see flyer attached for details)

-9/16/25: 6pm-7:30pm at the Greenburgh Public Library - 3 year anniversary of 988 (see flyer attached)

-9/22/25: LETS Save Lives Virtual Training (see below link for flyer)

-9/27/25: Yonkers Will Library Veterans event

ESG Turning the Corner- Homelessness Prevention Funds

Westchester County Emergency Solution Grant (ESG) Homelessness Prevention Funds are once again available to Westchester County residents.

(Please note, This ESG funding cannot be used to serve households residing in the City of Yonkers.)

ESG Homeless Prevention Eligibility (must meet 1, 2, 3):

  1. At Risk of Homelessness  with a Pending Eviction within 21 days (Must show proof)

2. Income at or below 30% AMI (listed in the HP  applicant sheet)

3. Lacks sufficient resources or support networks immediately available to prevent them from moving to an emergency shelter

What can ESG funds be used for:

  • Rental Arrears (up to 6 months back rent) MAX no exceptions

  • Utility Arrears (The arrears have to relate to the pending eviction)  

  • First Month’s rent

    If you are currently working with a household who meets (1,2 & 3) Eligibility Criterial please submit the completed following documents (below) to your DV Coordinated Entry Assessor Candice Blyden-Gill candice@chhop.org.

Yonkers Office for the Aging hosts Farmers Market- 3 DAY Coupon Distribution

The coupons are available to qualified applicants 60 years or older that have a monthly income of $2,413 per month or less for a one-person household, $3,261 per month or less for a two-person household and $4,109 per month or less for a three-person household. Each older adult in a household is eligible to receive a booklet if they meet the age and income requirements. Yonkers seniors must bring photo ID and proof of age. Coupons may be used in many Farmer’s Markets in Westchester County including at St. John’s Church (Getty Square) in Yonkers.

Date: August 4th 2025 - August 6th 2025

Time: 9:00am-3:00pm

Location: Chema Community Center; 435 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10705

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE PROVISION OF AN EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND RELATED HOUSING SERVICES

ISSUE DATE: July 14, 2025

DUE DATE: July 24, 2025 at 4:00 pm

Issued By: Leonard G. Townes Commissioner Westchester County Department of Social Services 112 East Post Road White Plains, New York 10601

The County of Westchester (the “County”), acting by and through its Department of Social Services (the “Department” or “WCDSS”), is requesting proposals from qualified vendors for services to provide an Emergency Housing Assistance Program (“EHAP”), consisting of the provision and operation of six (6) two-bedroom Emergency Housing Units (“EHUs”) and the provision of related housing services (the “Housing Services”), for the ‘RISE’ Program (as defined below), to customers deemed eligible for temporary housing assistance by WCDSS. Copies of this request for proposals (“RFP”) may be downloaded from the County’s website for RFPs: http://rfp.westchestergov.com/rfp/rfps.jsp or under “RISE Emergency Housing Assistance Program”

Westchester Continuum of Care & Greater Mental Health of New York Presents: Cultural Competency: Words Matter!

Destigmatizing Mental Health, Substance Use, Trauma and Disabilities Through Language

Join us for an interactive, 90-minute training designed for providers in Westchester County who want to foster inclusive, trauma-informed care.

This session will explore how the language we use impacts stigma, engagement, and trust in healthcare and other social work/human services.

Participants will learn practical strategies and try hands-on exercises to replace stigmatizing terms with respectful, person-centered alternatives.

Together, we can build a culture where all individuals feel seen, valued and safe.

Registration is mandatory. Please click on the button below to register.

Date: July 23rd 2025

Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm

2025 Summer EBT Program

Summer EBT is a food benefit program that helps low-income families with school-age children buy groceries during the summer when kids might not have access to school meals.

Starting June 2, 2025, eligibility letters for Summer EBT 2025 will begin to be mailed and will continue throughout the summer. Most eligible children will automatically receive Summer EBT food benefits, however, some families may need to apply.

The Summer EBT benefit will only be issued once, in the full amount of $120 for each eligible child. Benefits are loaded onto an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and can be used anywhere SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted.

Funding Opportunity Alert: Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative - Round Nine

Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) Inter-Agency Service and Operating Funding Opportunity Request for Proposals

The State Fiscal Year 2025-26 Enacted Budget continues funding to advance Governor Hochul’s comprehensive plan for affordable and supportive housing to ensure New Yorkers have access to safe and secure housing. The State has committed this funding in order to create or preserve affordable and supportive housing units.

New York will invest a portion of these resources to specifically address vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. To ensure the maximum benefit of this investment, the State will utilize the existing federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) model that engages localities and not-for-profit (NFP) providers in developing and implementing data-driven strategies to address homelessness in specific populations such as victims or survivors of domestic violence, runaway and homeless youth and formerly incarcerated individuals (see Section 1.4 for full list of eligible target populations).

The State intends to develop a total of 20,000 units over a period of 15 years. As such, the State is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to advance the goal of developing 1,400 units of supportive housing annually for persons identified as homeless with special needs, conditions, or other life challenges.

Calling All Westchester Housing Providers, Case Managers and Direct Support Staff

Please join us to learn more about resources that can assist individuals impacted by a disability and how we can help remove barriers!

Guest Speakers:

  • Maylin Baucage (Housing Program Coordinator)

  • Linda Hicks (Service Coordinator)

  • Gloria Wiggs (Transition Specialist)

  • Wendy Martinez (Program Coordinator)

When: June 18th 2025 at 1:00pm-2:30pm

Where: Remote via Webex.

*Webex Link will be sent prior to the event*

Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness presents: Child Care for Families in Need

Calling all Shelter Staff, Social Case Workers, and Direct Service Staff!

Please join us for an informative session about Early Head Start and Head Start child care.

Special guests Urban Strategies and Family Services of Westchester and will present on how their child care programs can help support the families you are servicing.

Date: Thursday May 29th, 2025 

Time: 10:00am-11:30am

Where: Remote via WebEx

Registration is required!

Child Care Alert: Family Services of Westchester's Head Start Program

Head Start is more than a preschool program. It supports parents and families in their vital roles as the primary influencers on their young children’s education and development by helping them sharpen their parenting skills and navigate the school system.

In addition to providing a comprehensive top-quality preschool education, Head Start also provides health and nutrition education to its students and their families.

Head Start emphasizes cognitive and language development, social and emotional development, physical and mental health and parent involvement. Participating Head Start families establish a “medical home” where children receive ongoing routine health and dental care.

In addition, parents have access to support programs that help the family move toward economic self-sufficiency.

Westchester County Continuum of Care Partnership to End Homelessness and the Lived Experience Advisory Group Presents: JumpStart for Dads


Calling all Dads, Expectant Dads, Providers, Case Workers and Direct Service Staff!

Please join us for an informative session about the JumpStart for Dads Program.

Dr. Vito Sessa and Ervan Caesar will present on: 

The JumpStart for Dads Program and how it can empower fathers with the skills to be THE BEST DADS THEY CAN BE!

Sessions are free and can be held in English and Spanish

Date: June 4th, 2025  

Time: 11:00 AM -12:00 PM

Where: Remote via Webex