SARATOGA COUNTY CAREER CENTER ANNOUNCES OCTOBER VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS SCHEDULE BALLSTON SPA, NY -- The Saratoga County Career Center in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers will hold the following free virtual career workshops during November: November 6 at 10AM: Resume Development - This workshop presents the basics of a powerful and effective cover letter including formatting, tailoring to the job, and getting through the online application process to land an interview. Please have a rough draft of your resume with you. Facilitated by Rensselaer & Columbia-Greene. November 7 at 11AM: Transferable Skills - Transferable skills are qualities you have already acquired which can be used in a different job. Make it easy for employers to see the connection between your qualities and the skillset needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer's problem. Learn ways to research the employer's needs then identify and show them that you have these skills. Facilitated by Warren and Washington. November 12 at 10:30AM: Interview Preparation - Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady. November 13 at 10AM: Goal Setting - Goals are what take us forward in life. They are the first step in every journey we take. In this workshop we will explain how goal setting works, why goals are important, and take home more helpful resources to get you started. Remember: "if you aim for nothing, you'll hit it every time." Find out how to reach your dreams. Facilitated by Washington and Albany. November 15 at 10:30AM: Networking - Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. Facilitated by Warren and Albany. November 21 at 11AM: Completing Job Applications - Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington. November 26 at 11AM: Overcoming Barriers - Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie. November 26 at 1:30PM: Social Media - Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady. Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information. The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign. The Saratoga County Department of Workforce Development provides comprehensive training and employment services to residents through its Career Center and works with local businesses to attract and retain the local workforce. The Greater Capital Region Career Centers is a group of local county and city-based Career Centers and partners that coordinate services to address the workforce needs of the Greater Capital Region by providing a variety of career and workforce resources, training opportunities, and more. Members include Capital Region Workforce New York; Columbia-Green Workforce NY; City of Albany Career Center; L.E.A.P; Rensselaer County Career Center; Saratoga County Career Center; Schenectady County Connects; Warren County Career Center; Workforce Solutions System of Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie Counties. HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) Contact: Heap 518-884-4111 for an application The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that assists low income households with the cost of heating their homes during winter months. The 2023-2024 Regular HEAP program opens on November 1, 2023. Emergency HEAP will open on January 2, 2024. The Saratoga County Department of Aging & Youth Services will be accepting applications for persons 60 year of age and older as well as those under 60 and are disabled. You may drop-off your application or send it by mail. Households that received a HEAP benefit las year will automatically be mailed an application for this year's program. The HEAP program provides a once a year benefit which is credited directly to your heating account. Regular benefit amounts are based upon the households gross monthly income and commodity used to heat your home. This years guidelines are as follows: Household size: 1 = max. gross monthly income $3,035.00 2 = $3,970.00 3 = $4,904.00 How to Apply for Services: For an application call 518-884-4146 or you may also apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov
NYS DONATE LIFE PROGRAM: New York State Donate Life Registry (ny.gov) SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM (SNAP) Contact: SNAP/Ballston Spa Office – 518-884-4155 Objective: To reduce the hunger and to provide low-income households with a supplement to their income to purchase food. Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); referrals to other agencies; free nutrition education to qualified individuals. Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm Target Population: Any low-income individual/family living in Saratoga County. Eligibility Criteria: Must meet income eligibility. How to Apply for Services: Telephone for requirements or may apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov
TOWN OF DAY COMMUNITY PARK PICKLEBALL COURT Bring your own net to Day Community Park/Playground, or borrow the portable net, paddles & balls from Day Town Hall (1st come 1st serve basis). The basketball court at the park is also striped for pickleball! Town of Day residents may borrow the equipment from Day Town Hall. Call 518-696-3789 ext. 2 Tuesday-Thursday between 9am-3pm to reserve. Sign-out sheet is available at Town Hall NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Test Your Well: Protect Your Family's Water Take steps to make sure the water from your private well is suitable for drinking, preparing food and all household uses. Germs and chemicals can enter your drinking water from runoff and natural changes in the water that serves your well. The use of contaminated water for drinking, preparing food and making ice can make you, your family and your pets sick. Babies, children, pregnant people, older adults and people with health conditions are most at risk of health effects from consuming contaminated water. Tips to Protect Your Family's Water
Test your well water at least once a year for bacteria and for other contaminants every 3-5 years.
Test your water for E. coli and coliform bacteria after you disinfect and flush your well, or perform maintenance on your system to make sure problems are addressed.
Regularly check and maintain the well, system components and area surrounding the well.
Test your water if you notice changes in how your water looks, smells or tastes, after floods, changes in land use or concerns about local contaminants.
If you suspect your well could be contaminated by gasoline, heating oil or chemicals, contact your health department and the DEC Spill Hotline at (800) 457-7362.
Keep records of maintenance activities and water testing.
Take steps to get connected to a public water system, if you have the opportunity. Public water is the best option for household water because it is regularly monitored and managed by a certified water operator.
For further information visit https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/private_wells.htm New York State Department of Health Regional District Office number is: 518-793-389
Daily Gazette - Saratoga is state’s healthiest county, according to U.S. News & World Report By Andrew Waite | July 25, 2022 BALLSTON SPA – Saratoga County is New York state’s healthiest county and one of the healthiest counties in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Saratoga County finished 60th – which was in the top 2% – in U.S. News & World Report’s Healthiest Communities Rankings 2022, released last week. The rankings, analyzing 500 communities, used 89 metrics across 10 health and health-related categories to evaluate nearly 3,000 U.S. counties and county equivalents – think boroughs or other municipal entities – according to U.S. News & World Report. The study looked at population health, equity, education, economy, housing, food and nutrition, environment, public safety, community vitality and infrastructure. Saratoga County scored 79 out of 100 on the overall rankings, topping the state median score of 57 and the U.S. median score of 47, according to a Saratoga County news release on the study. “The 2022 Healthiest Communities report establishing Saratoga County as the healthiest county in New York State underscores what we in local government, our economic development partners and local business leaders have known for a long time – Saratoga County is a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Town of Moreau Supervisor Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said in a news release about the report. “We’ve set the conditions for a robust economy and a healthful quality of life across Saratoga County through thoughtful planning, conservative budgeting practices, and limiting bureaucratic red-tape that leads to over-regulation. The proof is in our results – a safe and welcoming community for all in a county that also boasts the lowest property and sales taxes in New York State.” Saratoga County scored 80 in education, 78 in public safety, 77 in economy and population health, 76 in infrastructure, 72 in food and nutrition, 71 in equity, 67 in environment, 64 in housing and 53 in community vitality. The next highest-ranking New York community was Nassau County at 98th. Los Alamos County, New Mexico, finished top overall. To collect and analyze the data behind the rankings, U.S. News collaborated with the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES). Data was collected from well-recognized and validated sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to U.S. News & World Report. Saratoga County’s data supported its strong ranking. In education, Saratoga County’s high school graduation rate is at 90.8%, compared to 89.3%, nationally, according to the county. Meanwhile 53.6% of Saratoga County’s residents have an advanced degree, compared to 30.6% nationally. In public safety, Saratoga County’s $441 per capita spending on health and emergency services is stronger than the national median at $358. The county’s violent crime rate is half that of the national average at 102.6 per 100,000 compared to 204.5 per 100,000 nationally. Economically, the county’s poverty rate of 5.9% is below the national average of 13.6%, while Saratoga County’s median household income is $84,971 compared to $58,759 nationally, according to the county. The county’s business growth rate clocks in at 8.2% compared to the national rate of 7.7%. “Saratoga County continues to grow upon our global hub of talent, innovation and opportunity. The combined efforts of county leadership, partner organizations and continued development investment positions us to support existing industry and encourage continuous investment; while also attracting targeted, complementary businesses,” Dennis Brobston, president of Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, said in the news release. Saratoga’s recognition in the U.S. News & World Report rankings follows last year’s U.S. Census Bureau data showing Saratoga County to be the Capital Region’s largest population gainer, growing by 7.24%. Saratoga County’s population gain came at a time when nearly two-thirds of the state’s counties saw a decline in population.
Saratoga County Sheriff's Office partners with OffenderWatch The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with OffenderWatch to offer a new and free family safety mobile app to keep children and families safe. OffenderWatch is the nation’s leading sex offender registry partner. The Sheriff’s Office announced the partnership and is offering the OffenderWatch App for free download on Android and iPhone smartphone devices. The app, which offers online safety information and tips for how to talk to children about sex offenders, will allow citizens to see registered sex offenders located near them or their family members. They will also receive alerts when a registered sex offender moves into their neighborhood. “The safety of our community is one of the most important fundamental concerns we have as police officers,” said Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo. “Our partnership with OffenderWatch provides our citizens with one more tool to keep them and their families safe.” Families will have the option to upgrade the app to a paid version, which will include additional features.
Mike Cormaci, president and co-founder of OffenderWatch, said that their mission is to help law enforcement protect their communities from sexual predators better. "As predators continue to groom and solicit children online, we’re helping law enforcement and families combat these efforts before it becomes a tragedy,” he said.
The OffenderWatch App works as follows: Parents who sign up for the OffenderWatch App download the app on their own smartphone and their child’s android or iPhone device. In the free version of the app, parents can see their child’s location and the location of registered sex offenders. Parents will receive notifications if a sex offender moves into their neighborhood. For the paid version, the app also monitors the child’s smartphone texts, emails, location and phone calls in the background without storing the child’s messages or interfering with its use. If a registered sex offender contacts the child, or the child lingers near the address of a sex offender the parent or guardian receives an instant notification. From there, parents should ask their children about their smartphone activity or contact law enforcement to investigate. Parents and guardians can download the app or learn more at communitynotification.com or OffenderWatch.com
SARATOGA COUNTY ADVISORY YOUTH BOARD The Saratoga County Advisory Youth Board encourages closer cooperation between employers, labor, schools, churches, recreation commissions, State and local employment programs, service clubs and other public and private agencies so as to stimulate employment for youth and encourage sound youth programs on the basis of community planning. All members of the Youth Board are appointed by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Membership is between 13 and 28 members, composed of a representative of each of the 19 Towns and 2 Cities in the County. Representatives from various agencies engaged in youth service, minority groups consistent with the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Plan, and 2 Youth 14-21 years of age. The Youth Board meets at least 4 times per year. Regular meetings are open to the public. https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/department-of-aging-and-youth-services/
SARATOGA COUNTY - Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Newsletter & Events Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) connects communities with research from Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Human Ecology to enrich and empower New York state neighbors, local businesses, towns and cities. For more information and to sign up to their newsletter please visit: Cornell Cooperative Extension (ccesaratoga.org)