N.Y. Social Services Law § 138-a: Responsibility of the department for recipients in family care

§ 138-a. Responsibility of the department for recipients in family

care. 1. Any inconsistent provision of this chapter or other law

notwithstanding, the department shall be responsible for furnishing

public assistance and care to mentally disabled persons residing in

family care homes licensed by the office of mental health or the office

for people with developmental disabilities who are admitted to such

facilities in accordance with regulations of the office which licenses

the facility. However, the department may, at its option, discharge such

responsibility, in whole or in part, through social services districts

designated to act as agents of the department. While so designated, a

social services district shall act as agent of the department and shall

be entitled to reimbursement as provided in section one hundred

fifty-three of this article.

2. The department shall possess and may exercise like powers and

perform like duties in respect to the assistance and care of persons in

family care as social services officials exercise and perform in

relation to persons in their respective jurisdictions.