City’s DSS to remain open

Office to stay in place on Commercial Boulevard under current planning

TORRINGTON — The Department of Social Services Office on Commercial Boulevard will remain open and in place, according to a release issued Wednesday by Rep. Jay Case, R-Winsted, and Rep. Brian Ohler, R-North Canaan.

“The residents in the Northwest Corner deserve to have access to DSS services locally. Closing this office would really put those citizens, who are in need of life sustaining services, at a greater risk. Even traveling to Torrington, for some people out here, can take the better (part) of the day,” said Case in the release.

A pilot program to move the office to the New Opportunities building at 59 Field St. was included in the bill that implemented the state budget into law for the next two years, and was announced by Rep. Michelle Cook in October.

Because there is no proposal to close the Torrington office on the table, the pilot program will not be put into effect at this time, according to the release from Case and Ohler.

“It’s quite unfortunate that there has been some

misinformation put out regarding the fate and future of the Torrington DSS office. Because of that, agency employees and area residents have been reaching out daily for clarification on this matter. The budget that was passed does not mandate a closure nor does it mandate a pilot program; it is optional. If the office were to close and/or move there are many variables to consider before that can happen,” said Ohler.

Cook said in October that the pilot program would allow for the continued operation of the office, as it had been targeted for closure in past budget cycles.

“Moving the DSS office into the New Opportunities building not only saves money, but also centralizes

several social service providers in one location. It’s a win for residents of the Northwest Corner and for the state,” said Cook in a written statement at the time.

“I have successfully fought the proposed closure of this office before, and I was not going to allow our region to be abandoned. We are talking about serving some of the most vulnerable members of our community — the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income families.”

Cook said Wednesday that the pilot program was included in a contigency, to be potentially implemented if the office was to be closed.

“It’s in the budget as a protection and a precaution,” said Cook.

As part of the budget, the commissioner of Social Services is given the option to “establish a twelvemonth pilot project in partnership with the Torrington community

action agency to provide streamlined social services to assist eligible lowincome persons to achieve economic independence.”

A total of $100,000 is set aside for the pilot program, according to the implementer. Cook said this funding has been set aside, but would be used to fund the typical operations of the office if the program is not implemented.

Employees would be protected if the pilot program was put into action, according to the budget implementer.

As part of the pilot program, “the Governor shall not reduce any allotment requisition or allotment in force for the Department of Social Services that results in the premature termination of a twelve-month pilot project” through June 30, 2018.