NORWICH – Chenango County legislators have authorized a contract deal with Catholic Charities of Chenango County intended to curb the local homelessness epidemic.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the county’s Board of Supervisors this month permits Chenango County Behavioral Health Services (BHS) to work with Catholic Charities in a joint venture specifically targeting the area’s homeless population. The contract establishes supervision provided by BHS personnel over Catholic Charities’ newly created Safe Options Support (SOS) program.

Catholic Charities has received grant funding from the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) to grow its SOS program, an initiative launched by Catholic Charities to help manage the homelessness issue in the community by providing case management and assistance to individuals in need of housing.

However, OMH grant stipulations require that Catholic Charities has a licensed agency to oversee the clinical social worker assigned to the SOS program. Enter Behavioral Health Services.