EMPOWER Programs

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EMPOWER programs are small, community-oriented programs certified by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to provide high-quality residential care to youth who are eligible for foster care placement and have experienced or are at-risk of sex trafficking. Created under the Families First Prevention Services Act, these programs are grounded in positive youth development and healing-centered engagement; they center youth as the experts in their experiences, needs, and goals.

To learn more about operating an EMPOWER program please see the EMPOWER Program Manual (2024).

Contents

Regulations

EMPOWER programs are established by law and governed by the rules and regulations of New York State. In addition to the EMPOWER-specific regulations, programs must also maintain compliance with the other regulations governing the certified setting in which an EMPOWER program operates.

• The Family First Regulations were filed with the Department of State on August 24, 2021, and became effective immediately upon filing. They will appear in the State Register on September 8, 2021, and are now available on the Office of Children and Family Services Emergency Regulations page.
• Please refer to the document titled “Text of Proposed Rule”; part 440 pertains to EMPOWER programs.

Policies

The policies listed below are specific to certified EMPOWER programs. Many other policies (ADM) and informational memos (INFs) also apply to certified programs and their operating agencies.

• 22-OCFS-ADM-07 - Provision of Aftercare in Qualified Residential Treatment Programs and EMPOWER Programs
  Word document for 22-OCFS-ADM-07 | PDF document for 22-OCFS-ADM-07
• 22-OCFS-ADM-06 - Utilization of Stress Passes in an EMPOWER Program
  Word document for 22-OCFS-ADM-06 | PDF document for 22-OCFS-ADM-06
• 21-OCFS-ADM-27 - Referral Process for Placement in an EMPOWER Program
  Word document for 21-OCFS-ADM-27 | PDF document for 21-OCFS-ADM-27
  • Attachment 1: OCFS 5575 - Appropriateness of Placement Assessment in a Prenatal, Postpartum or Parenting/EMPOWER Setting
    Word document for 21-OCFS-ADM-27 Attachment 1 | PDF document for 21-OCFS-ADM-27 Attachment 1
  • Attachment 2: Common Referral and Intake Packet for EMPOWER Programs
    Word document for 21-OCFS-ADM-27 Attachment 2 | PDF document for 21-OCFS-ADM-27 Attachment 2
• 21-OCFS-ADM-22 - Reimbursement for up to 14 days of Absence Without Consent (AWOC) in EMPOWER Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Exception Programs
  Word document for 21-OCFS-ADM-22 | PDF document for 21-OCFS-ADM-22
• 21-OCFS-ADM-19 - Requirements to Operate an EMPOWER Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Exception Program
  Word document for 21-OCFS-ADM-19 | PDF document for 21-OCFS-ADM-19
  • Attachment A: EMPOWER Program Standards
    Word document for 21-OCFS-ADM-19 Attach A | PDF document for 21-OCFS-ADM-19 Attach A
  • Attachment B: OCFS-5376 - EMPOWER Program Application Checklist
    Word document for OCFS-5376

Currently Certified Programs

Other Information

For more information about EMPOWER programs please contact your Regional Office or humantrafficking@ocfs.ny.gov