ARTICLE 8
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

   Section 801. Department of Social Services; Commissioner; term. There shall be a Department of Social Services headed by a Commissioner who shall be appointed on the basis of her administrative experience and her qualifications for the duties of office. The Commissioner of Social Services shall be appointed by the County Executive subject to confirmation by the County Legislature as provided in Section 302(c) of this Charter. The term of office of the Commissioner of Social Services shall be five years.

   Section 802. Powers and duties. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Commissioner of Social Services shall:

(a) have all the powers and perform all the duties conferred upon or required of a County Commissioner of Social Services under the Social Services Law of the State of New York, or other applicable law;

(b) administer all mandated and optional social service programs for needy persons throughout the County, including, but not limited to, elderly assistance programs, aid to dependent children, aid to the disabled, child welfare, institutional care and other related programs;

(c) investigate suspected fraudulent applications for, and the receipt of, public assistance and refer cases where appropriate to the District Attorney for prosecution;

(d) within such appropriations as the County Legislature may make, to employ attorneys who shall act in cooperation and consultation with the Department of Law as legal advisors to the Commissioner, her staff, agents, designees and other employees of the Department of Social Services regarding issues pertaining to the provisions of the Social Services Law of the State and the performance of mandated duties and services as now or hereafter set forth in such law; and

(e) have all the powers and perform such other and related duties as shall be required or delegated to her by the County Executive, or the County Legislature.