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Where can seniors take a refresher course on driver safety?
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AARP offers a driver safety refresher course (both classroom and online) for drivers age 50 and older. The course helps seniors to tune up driving skills, update knowledge about the rules of the road, learn about normal age-related physical changes and how to adapt to allow for these changes, and most importantly, to drive more safely. Most states also provide for an auto insurance discount for those who successfully complete the course. Go to the AARP website for more information and to find a driver safety class near you:
http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/.
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What housing is available for seniors? What is Section 8 Housing?
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There are several forms of subsidized housing for senior citizens in Dutchess County. Some housing complexes are run by governmental agencies, while others are operated by not-for profit organizations or profit making companies. In addition to housing sites, the Section 8 program also includes housing vouchers and certificates which may be used as payment toward rent in privately owned apartments. Visit our Section 8 Housing web pages for more information on Section 8 housing income guidelines and a list of available units.
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Does Dutchess County provide assistance for me to fix up my home?
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The County has a program to help income eligible seniors with home repairs. See the application on the web or for more info contact: (845) 486-3600.
Neighborworks Homeownership Center - The Homeownership Center can help current homeowners review their options for home equity loans and refinancing to pay for home repairs. They can also advise persons over 62 regarding reverse mortgages. They can be reached at (845) 454-9288.
Visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Home Repairs: New York for a list of programs and resources to help homeowners with home repairs and improvements.
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Where can seniors get help paying for prescriptions?
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New York State's Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program is a prescription plan for senior citizens who need help paying for their prescriptions. Medicare-approved drug discount cards are also available. Contact HIICAP at the Dutchess County Office For The Aging at (845) 486-2555.
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What housing is available for seniors? What is Section 8 Housing?
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There are several forms of subsidized housing for senior citizens in Dutchess County. Some housing complexes are run by governmental agencies, while others are operated by not-for profit organizations or profit making companies. In addition to housing sites, the Section 8 program also includes housing vouchers and certificates which may be used as payment toward rent in privately owned apartments. Visit our Section 8 Housing web pages for more information on Section 8 housing income guidelines and a list of available units.
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What are the eligibility criteria for the Community Solutions for Transportation Program?
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The eligibility criteria for the Community Solutions for Transportation Program are:
- the applicant must be financially responsible for a minor child who is under the age of 18 or under the age of 19 and attending secondary school or an equivalent level of vocational or technical training, and
- the applicant must be in receipt of Family Assistance through the Department of Social Services or have income less than 200% of the poverty level, and
- the applicant must have a have a work-related transportation need.
Generally, minor-age children without children of their own are not eligible for TANF services. The best thing to do is to apply for the CST service and the program administrator will determine your eligibility.
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If I am under 21 can I choose to leave foster care?
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Yes, after age eighteen you may choose to sign yourself out of foster care. However, you may be encouraged to stay in foster care even after age 18 so that you may continue your education while in a safe structured setting and perhaps save some money to give yourself the best start possible when you do leave foster care. Once age twenty-one is reached, you must leave foster care. Youth between the age of 18 and 21 who remain in foster care must be in an educational, vocational or work program.
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How do I get medical and dental care if I don’t have any money?
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You can apply for Medicaid, or someone can apply for you on your behalf, at:
Dutchess County Department of Social Services
60 Market Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 – 10:30 AM.
You can also apply at Dutchess County Community Action Partnership. The offices are open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. (Closed for lunch from 12 noon to 1:00 PM). An appointment is required. Call (845) 437-0222 to schedule an appointment at a Branch office near you.
POUGHKEEPSIE
84 Cannon Street
RED HOOK
44-46 E. Market Street
DOVER PLAINS
3414 Route 22
BEACON
544 Main Street
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If I am under 21 am I eligible to receive Medicaid?
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Individuals under 21 are eligible to apply for Medicaid. If they are under 21 and living with their parents, their own income and their parents’ income and resources would also be taken into account. If they are NOT living with a parent only their own circumstances would be used to determine eligibility. However, they would be required to file for Medical Support against each parent.
For the new (10/02) Family Planning Benefit Program, (FPBP) if an individual under 21 years of age does not have access to parental financial information or doesn’t want their parents to know about the application for this program, the Department will determine eligibility based on the child’s income. The Department of Social Services (60 Market St., Poughkeepsie, NY) will NOT require the applicant to file for medical support against his/her parents.
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If I am being abused or neglected by my parent, guardian, or another family member (or want to call to report suspected child abuse) can I make a Child Abuse Report? Where can I get help?
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Yes, you can. The toll free hotline telephone number to make a report is 1-800-342-3720. Anyone (including the victim) can make a report and the Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When you call the Hotline you will be asked some questions about the abuse or neglect which has occurred. You do not have to reveal your name. A report can be made on behalf of any youth under the age of 18 years. Once a report is made, it is transmitted to the county (ies) in which the youth and family reside. An investigation into the allegations on the report commences within 24 hours. If you are not sure that what has happened is considered abuse or neglect, make the call anyway. The staff at the Hotline are trained to take the information and make this determination.
There is help available for youth who are being abused or neglected. In addition to making a hotline report, other options include going to the police or going to a trusted adult such as a family member, teacher, counselor or therapist, doctor, foster parent, friend or case manager for help. If you are in imminent danger call 911 or call your local police department for help.
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My child has an elevated blood lead level. What do I do?
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The Dutchess County Department of Health can help you and your child’s health care provider by providing a range of services that might include any of the following: health information, reminder letters, child development assessment, nutritional information, environmental assessment. For more information call (845) 486-3419. Visit the New York State Department of Health's website for more information on elevated blood lead levels in children: .
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What contaminants are likely to be found in well water?
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Bacteria are the most common. Bacteria are normally present in the air, soil, and water. Most of these bacteria are beneficial or harmless. Bacteria can enter the well through improperly installed or damaged equipment.
- Nitrates (dangerous for infants) from sewage systems or fertilizers have been found in some wells.
- Sodium and chloride (salty taste) from water softeners or road salt have been found in some wells.
- Iron and manganese (brown or black staining) are found in some of the bedrock and are found in some wells.
- Certain wells have contaminants from fuel spills or spills of other industrial or agricultural chemicals.
Click Here for Dutchess County Department of Health's Environmental Health Services contact information.
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What should a well be tested for?
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DCDOH recommends testing for bacteria yearly. See the Department of Health's webpage titled Environmental Water Laboratory for more information.
Your eyes and nose are very sensitive. If you notice a change in the water quality, you should consider testing. Suggested test parameters depend on the nature of the change.
Other chemical tests should be done if there are specific problems in you area. Click Here for information regarding Environmental Health Services contacts.
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Where do I call to get a water reading?
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Water systems in Dutchess County can be owned and operated by a variety of public and private entities. Each system has its own set of requirements for readings and you must contact the entity that operates the system that provides service to your property to determine their requirements. Generally the local municipal (Town, Village or City) office will be able to provide the information regarding which system services which properties in their municipality as long as they have a specific address or tax parcel number. To get a water useage reading from one of the systems that is owned and operated by the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority that is outside the normal scheduled cycle, for such purposes as property closings, call the Billing Department at (845) 486-3640, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The systems owned and operated by the Authority include: Chelsea Cove Wastewater System, Hyde Park Water System, Rokeby Water System, Staatsburg Water System, Schreiber Water System, Valleydale Water and Wastewater Systems, Zone D Water System, Dalton Farms Water System (Zone H), and Dalton Farms Wastewater System.
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How do I hook up to a public water service or sewer system?
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There are many different entities that provide water and sewer service in Dutchess County. Each system has its own set of requirements for hook-ups and you must contact the entity that operates the system that has the ability to provide service to your property to determine their requirements. Generally the local municipal (Town, Village or City) office will be able to provide the information regarding which system services which properties in their municipality as long as they have a specific address or tax parcel number.
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Is my well protected?
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The Sanitary Code provides some protection (chiefly by regulating development) for individual wells. The well owner should check the well and water system to ensure that all equipment is maintained and operated properly. The Dutchess County Department of Health is working with several agencies to increase the protection of wells and the public.
Click Here to find related links to sanitary codes; click Here to find additional information regarding wells; click Here for more Environmental Health Services contact informaiton.
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What is tested by Public Water suppliers?
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Public water supplies test for coliform bacteria at least quarterly. Larger supplies may test for inorganic, organic, and radioactive compounds. For exact details, you can look up Part 5-1 tables 1 through 12 elsewhere on this site. Your water company should be sending a yearly report on their water quality. Click Here to find related links; click Here for Environmental Health Service contact information.
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Who can I call when I have problems with my water?
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If you have your own well, you can call the Dutchess County Department of Health for advice. The Department of Health does not regulate individual wells. You may also wish to call a well driller or plumber.
If you receive your water from a Public Water Supply, you should call the owner or operator of the supply. If they do not solve your problem, you may then call the Department of Health's Environmental Health Services division with any health and safety questions.
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Where do I call about a problem with my water bill?
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To resolve problems with a water bill call the municipality or water company that provides your water service. For services from a water or wastewater system that is owned and operated by the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority, call the Billing Department at (845) 486-3640 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The systems owned and operated by the Authority include: Chelsea Cove Wastewater System, Hyde Park Water System, Rokeby Water System, Staatsburg Water System, Schreiber Water System, Valleydale Water and Wastewater Systems, Zone D Water System, Dalton Farms Water System (Zone H), and Dalton Farms Wastewater System.
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How come my water is white or milky?
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If a glass of water appears milky, watch it for awhile. If the milkiness clears at the bottom first and gradually goes away, the milkiness was caused by air in the water. This condition has no health significance. Air in the storage tank or pressure tank (or well) has dissolved into the water. When the pressure drops (from in the pipe to in your glass) the air comes out (undissolves) and forms tiny bubbles that float to the top and rejoin the atmosphere. This condition is more likely to occur during the colder months (because the solubility of gases in water increases as the temperature decreases). Click Here for Environmental Health Services contact information.
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Is my well contaminated?
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The best way to check for contamination is to test your well. The Dutchess County Department of Health can assist your efforts with specific advice on test types. Call (845) 486-3404 for assistance. Click Here to view more information regarding wells. For Environmental Health Services contact information, click Here.
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