March

The Saratoga County DMV is partnering with Donate Life New York State, in observance of National Donate Life Month, to raise awareness of the lifesaving impact made by organ, eye, and tissue donors.

Donate Life NYS is the statewide nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase organ, eye and tissue donation in New York State through collaborative advocacy, education, research, and promotion.

Statewide, more than 80% of donors sign up while completing a transaction at a DMV. During April — and every month — Saratoga County DMV customers can enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry when conducting a license, permit, or non-driver ID transaction. Anyone aged 16 and older can enroll in the New York State Donor Registry, regardless of their medical history.

“We are honored to support Donate Life New York State in its efforts to spread awareness and expand the organ donor registry,” Hayner said. “Organ donation saves thousands of lives each year, yet many more are still waiting. That’s why we are committed to the DMV’s vital role in boosting donor enrollment.”

While more than 3,600 lifesaving organ transplants were performed in the state last year, nearly 8,000 New Yorkers remain on the national organ transplant waitlist. In 2024, approximately 350 patients awaiting an organ transplant in New York State died because the organ needed to save their lives was not donated in time.

The theme of 2025’s Donate Life Month, “Let Life Sing!” takes its inspiration from birds, one of the most welcomed and visible signs of spring.
As part of the local effort, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors earlier this month unanimously passed a resolution recognizing April as Donate Life Month, encouraging staff members of Saratoga County departments and agencies to participate in Donate Life’s “Blue and Green Day,” which is April 11.

Saratoga County’s enrollment has increased steadily in the years since the County DMV began promo􀆟ng Donate Life Month in 2014. According to the most recent statistics from Donate Life NYS, at the end of 2024, 74% of the eligible population in Saratoga County was enrolled in the registry. In 2013, it was just 39%. “It’s been very encouraging to see our county’s enrollment numbers climb over the years,” Hayner said. “However, more work still needs to be done to ensure everyone who needs life-saving organ donations gets them.”

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April 2 at 10AM and April 3 at 10:30AM: Resume Development – This workshop presents the basics of a powerful and effective cover letter including formatting, tailoring to the job, and getting through the online application process to land an interview. Please have a rough draft of your resume with you. Facilitated by Rensselaer & Columbia-Greene.

April 3 at 11AM and April 17 at 1:30PM: Transferable Skills – Transferable skills are qualities you have already acquired which can be used in a different job. Make it easy for employers to see the connection between your qualities and the skillset needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem. Learn ways to research the employer’s needs then identify and show them that you have these skills. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

April 14 at 12pm: Broadview Financial Well-Being – Your budget is a key that opens doors, guiding you to your money goals. Get ready to take control of your finances and your future! Find out how to organize what you make, spend, and save; set goals to save up, spend down, look ahead; harness the power of mindful spending; and identify budget tactics that work best for you. Facilitated by Broadview and Schenectady.

April 8 at 10:30AM: Interview Preparation – Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. Facilitated by Schenectady.

April 9 at 10AM and April 22 at 1:30PM: Goal Setting – Goals are what take us forward in life. They are the first step in every journey we take. In this workshop we will explain how goal setting works, why goals are important, and take home more helpful resources to get you started. Remember: “if you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” Find out how to reach your dreams. Facilitated by Washington and Albany.

April 9 at 10:30AM Civil Service – Join us for a workshop on navigating the civil service system in New York State (NYS). This session will cover essential steps to secure a civil service job, focusing on the hiring process. Participants will learn about competitive examinations for state and local government positions and how to prepare for them. Facilitated by Schenectady.

April 16 at 10:30AM and April 17 at 11AM: Completing Job Applications – Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. Facilitated by Warren and Washington.

April 16 at 10:30AM and April 23 at 10:30AM: Networking – Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. Facilitated by Warren and Albany.

April 22 at 10:30AM: Overcoming Barriers – Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. Facilitated by Fulton-Montgomery-Schoharie.

April 24 at 1:30PM: Social Media – Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. Facilitated by Schenectady.

Registration is required for all workshops. Visit https://swwworkforce.org/calendar to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at (518) 884-4170 for more information.  The workshops are offered as part of the Saratoga County Career Center’s WorkPays! workforce education campaign.

The Saratoga County Department of Workforce Development provides comprehensive training and employment services to residents through its Career Center and works with local businesses to attract and retain the local workforce.

The Greater Capital Region Career Centers is a group of local county and city-based Career Centers and partners that coordinate services to address the workforce needs of the Greater Capital Region by providing a variety of career and workforce resources, training opportunities, and more.  Members include Capital Region Workforce New York; Columbia-Green Workforce NY; City of Albany Career Center; L.E.A.P; Rensselaer County Career Center; Saratoga County Career Center; Schenectady County Connects; Warren County Career Center; Workforce Solutions System of Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie Counties.

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Building on the success and positive feedback from the County’s initiative during the 2023-24 school year, Mr. Hill will return to Saratoga County to present “Speak Sobriety,” to students and community members.

Schedule of student events at area schools:

• Ballston Spa High School, March 31, 2025
• Saratoga Springs High School, April 2, 2025
• Schuylerville Middle/High School, April 3, 2023
• Waterford-Halfmoon Jr/Sr High School, April 11, 2025
• Shenendehowa High School East, April 21 & 25, 2025
• Shenendehowa High School West, April 24, 2025
• Stillwater High School, April 23, 2025
• Burnt Hills- Ballston Lake High School, May 1, 2025
• Galway Jr/Sr High School, May 2, 2025
• Oliver W. Winch Middle School, South Glens Falls School District, May 27, 2025

A community event, open to the public, will be held at Schuylerville High School on April 2 at 6PM.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett (Clifton Park) said, “Partnering with our school districts, students and families across the County through comprehensive support efforts to assist with the battle against substance abuse, has been a consistent focus for Saratoga County. I witnessed the ability of Stephen Hill to engage with students in a meaningful fashion during the first phase of this program.  The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors has also approved a new program offering CRPAs (Certified Recovery Peer Advocates) who work directly with our schools and students.  We will continue to expand our ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and address substance abuse in our communities. I thank our participating schools for allowing us to bring Speak Sobriety to Saratoga County students and community members.”

Stephen Hill is the founder of Speak Sobriety, a young person in recovery, bestselling author, recovery coach, and a defense attorney. He is a renowned national speaker on substance use prevention & mental health awareness with a truly inspiring comeback story that everyone must hear. Stephen has presented in front of thousands of people for more than 500 schools, drug free community coalitions, alliances, and organizations across the country, sharing his cautionary tale of addiction to recovery and beyond, leaving people better educated, feeling hopeful, and motivated to make smart choices and positive change.

The substance use prevention and mental health awareness presentations are provided to schools for free by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Saratoga County is utilizing a multi-department approach to address the opioid epidemic through prevention, education, treatment, and response efforts and continues to make investments in a wide range of programs, equipment, and professional personnel to help communities battle the harmful grip of drug addiction that affects every municipality.

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Currently, Saratoga County has six open Corrections Officer positions.  Although our goal is to have all positions always filled, we understand our situation is enviable compared to other Counties.  Some Counties in New York have dozens of open Corrections Officer positions, with difficulty attracting trained and experienced personnel.  We fully support officers who had serious concerns that were unaddressed by the State for their own personal safety initiated by the Governor signing the HALT Act and encourage these individuals to apply for employment in Saratoga County.  We believe the availability of seasoned officers added to our professional staff, will enhance our overall effectiveness, particularly during this challenging situation our Sheriff’s Offices is experiencing.

The process of applying for a Saratoga County Corrections Officer position begins by emailing sh*********@**************ny.gov. Our standard practice involves a full vetting process and interviews prior to an individual being hired to join our team. Learn more about Saratoga County careers at www.saratogacountyny.gov/careers.

We thank all the members of our Sheriff’s Office for your continued efforts to keep our County safe and the deployed individuals who have been assigned to duties that are completely unexpected.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett

Saratoga County Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo

Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeff Brown

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Family, friends and community members are invited to attend a performance on Thursday, April 17th at 2PM in the Christopher Dailey Gym, Gavin Park, when the participants will demonstrate the skills they’ve learned.

This is the second year the County has held the event part of Youth Month. The event aims to promote physical fitness and teamwork among youth. Last year, there were 77 participants from eight Saratoga County municipalities.

The Double Dutch Jump Rope Clinic is a three-day event during spring break where participants will learn how to Double Dutch or improve their existing skills with nationally recognized Double Dutch trainers from Ms. K and her Swagga Jumpers. Participants will be grouped by age upon arrival and work on a group dance routine and individual Double Dutch skills.

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, participants are advised to wear comfortable, athletic clothing and sneakers. It is also recommended to bring a water bottle each day and a bagged lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday. Lunch will be provided on Thursday.
For more information, please contact the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4101.

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Each year, the third week in March is dedicated to reminding families to safeguard their homes from potential poisonings and to urge everyone to save the Poison Control number, 1-800-222-1222, ahead of needing to call. During this week, the Upstate New York Poison Center renews its promise to always be prepared to help in any poisoning emergency or for a poisoning question across our 54-county coverage area 24/7, 365 days a year. In Saratoga County, officials are using this week to remind residents of the importance of poison prevention and how the poison data dashboard is helping to shape poison prevention education efforts.

Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett (Clifton Park) said, “Poison prevention, awareness, and education are vital components of public health and public safety that help to save lives. During National Poison Prevention Week, we are highlighting the crucial work of our Department of Health and our Sheriff’s Office as well as the importance of poison prevention efforts everyone can take. The DOH poison dashboard is an important tool in the County’s overall commitment to public health and safety that is already being used not only by county departments, but also community organizations.”

Saratoga County Department of Health Commissioner Daniel Kuhles, MD, MPH said, “Understanding poison data is essential for effective prevention efforts, helping to identify risks, track trends, and guide public health strategies to protect communities from harmful exposures. I thank Upstate New York Poison Center for sharing their call data with our epidemiologists so we can track current data on potentially harmful substances that Saratoga County residents, young and old, are exposed to and help shape poison prevention efforts.”

Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeff Brown said, “The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is always prepared to respond to emergencies, but poison prevention is the first line of defense and is a key aspect of public safety that everyone can take part in. During National Poison Prevention Week, I encourage everyone to check your cabinets for old or expired medications and bring them to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office for safe disposal. By keeping potentially harmful substances secure and understanding poisoning risks, we can all protect lives and prevent emergencies before they happen.”

“Our team is unwavering in our commitment to be a trusted resource in times of uncertainty,” said Jeanna Marraffa, PharmD, MPH, Clinical Director of the Upstate New York Poison Center. “We are here 24/7 to provide accurate information and expert advice when it matters most. National Poison Prevention Week serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of poison safety and awareness. For Saratoga County residents and communities across New York, it’s an opportunity to learn how to prevent poisonings and protect loved ones. Our mission is to empower and educate, making sure every call is met with the expertise and care needed to keep families safe.”

Amy McBride, Executive Director of the Prevention Council of Saratoga County said, “The Saratoga County Poison Data Dashboard has been a helpful tool for our agency. We recently used this data for our campaign aimed at locking up cannabis to avoid accidental poisoning. This data helps to inform and strengthen our prevention efforts in the community.”

Saratoga County Department of Health epidemiologists update the dashboard monthly, analyzing call data on exposures from harmful substances collected by Upstate New York Poison Center and identifying emerging hazards and high-risk populations in Saratoga County. This information plays a key role in spotting trends to reveal poisoning risks and exposures, such as household products, medications, or recreational marijuana, and in developing tailored and targeted education to reach the most affected populations.

The Upstate New York Poison Center serves 54 counties across New York State, providing lifesaving support and expert guidance during poisoning emergencies. The center is staffed by highly trained specialists in poison information, including nurses, pharmacists, and doctors with specialized knowledge in toxicology. In 2024, they managed over 50,000 cases, helping to manage and keep 68% of callers safely at home without needing a visit to a health care facility. There are typically between 80 and 100 calls from Saratoga County to the poison center each month resulting in more than 1,000 calls each year.

According to the Dashboard Statistics:

• Unintentional pediatric exposures to edibles are the most frequent reason for poison center calls about cannabis and have increased in recent years.
• In 2024 the top exposures to children 5 years old and under were personal care products/cosmetics; cleaning supplies; foreign bodies/toys/miscellaneous; pain medications; and vitamins.
• The top exposures to adults age 20 and older in 2024 were sedatives, pain medications, antidepressants, alcohol, and cardiovascular drugs.

Steps to Prevent Unintentional Poisonings:

Everyone can take simple yet effective actions to reduce poisoning risks at home and in their communities:

• Store Medications and Chemicals Safely: Keep medicines, cleaning products, recreational marijuana, and toxic substances locked up and out of reach of children and pets.
• Read Labels Carefully: Always follow dosing instructions for medications and heed warning labels on household products.
• Keep Button Batteries Away from Children: Coin-size button batteries, used in a variety of electronics, are dangerous if swallowed. Do not leave products with accessible button batteries within reach of children.
• Dispose of Unused Medications Properly: Use take-back programs or follow FDA guidelines for safe disposal. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has a drug take-back drop box, accessible 24/7, in the County Jail lobby. (6010 County Farm Road, Ballston Spa, NY).

To view the Saratoga County Poison Data Dashboard, visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/DOH.

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Rabies Clinic Information:

Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Location: 4-H Training Center, 556 Middleline Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Times & Requirements:
Cats: 5:30-6:30 PM Must be in a carrier
Ferrets: 5:30-6:30 PM Must be in a cage or carrier
Dogs: 6:30-7:30 PM Must be on a leash

Animals must be at least three months old

Cost: Free

All vaccination certificates are written for one year unless prior proof of vaccination is provided. Owners must bring proof of prior vaccine to receive a three-year certificate for their animal.

For more information, please call the Saratoga County Animal Shelter at 518-885-4113 or visit www.saratogacountyanimalshelter.com/.

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The drive to collect individual-sized personal care items and snack foods will run from March 15 through April 7 and will be donated to the Blue Star Mothers of America NY-2 to put together and send packages to local troops serving abroad. The donation drive is held in conjunction with the annual celebration of New York State’s Yellow Ribbon Day, which takes place April 9 and is designated as a day to honor active-duty troops and their families.

In addition to municipal locations across the county, Hannaford Stores in Saratoga County are again participating in the drive, serving as drop-off points for donations.

Saratoga County Clerk Hayner said contributing to the Yellow Ribbon Day Donation Drive is a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation for the sacrifices military members make on our behalf every day. “Providing some comforts from home is something we can all do for our troops as they protect our freedom from many miles away,” Hayner said. “Now in its eighth year, I am hopeful this will be the most successful event yet, ensuring the Blue Star Mothers can meet and even exceed the high demand for their special care packages.”

Donna Abare, president of Blue Star Mothers of America-NY 2, said their shelves are virtually bare right now, so the need is great for items that can be packed into the Freedom Boxes. “Following the large packing we did for the holidays, we haven’t had anything really coming in, so we are very much counting on the Yellow Ribbon drive to be able to meet our goal of sending out about 400 boxes in May,” she said.

Abare added that when our service members are deployed, many of them feel like they are forgotten. “There’s not a lot of fanfare about deployments, and it’s not on the news, so people don’t even know,” she said. “When they get our boxes, they love all the stuff, but what means the most is to know that they are not forgotten.”

When she encounters people who have received boxes in the past, Abare says they gush with gratitude. “We will never stop doing what we do because when you have somebody in front of you telling you how much it meant to them and how they felt getting it; it’s everything.”

Frank McClement, director of the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency, said he knows from personal experience what receiving a package while deployed far from home can do to boost morale. “Getting a package from back home means so much more than just getting some good snacks. It lets our service men and women know that we care about them and value their service,” McClement said. “We hope everyone will consider giving to this important effort to support our troops.”

Donations can include non-perishable items like cookie and cracker snack packages, microwaveable soup cups, fruit snacks, granola bars and beef jerky, as well as personal care items such as insect repellent wipes, body wash (small), lip balm, puzzle books and more.

Donated goods can be dropped off at the following locations during regular business hours:
• DMV offices in Saratoga County (located in Ballston Spa, Clifton Park and Wilton)
• Saratoga County Clerk’s Office, 40 McMaster St., Ballston Spa
• Veterans Service Agency, 2144 Doubleday Ave., Suite 15, Ballston Spa
• Saratoga County Hannaford stores
• Various town and village offices in Saratoga County (Call to see if your local municipality has a collection box.)

Monetary donations are also accepted. As a reference, it costs $18 postage to send each “Freedom Box”. The cost to fill one box is about $45, so a $63 donation covers the cost of filling and sending one box. Checks can be made payable to Blue Star Mothers of America-NY 2 and sent to PO Box 243, Delmar, NY 12054. Please write “In honor of Yellow Ribbon Day” in the memo section. To donate through PayPal, go to www.paypal.com/fundraiser/hub and search “Blue Star Mothers of America-NY2”.

All items collected during the drive will be presented to the Blue Star Mothers during a Yellow Ribbon Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, at the Veterans Memorial, 162 Route 236, Halfmoon. The public is welcome to attend, and donations also can be brought to this event.

For more information, please visit the Saratoga County Clerk’s Facebook page, @saratogacountyclerk, which will be updated throughout the donation drive.

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