Social Services Committee Meeting - August 25, 2026

The Albany County Legislature's Social Services Committee met on August 25, 2026, to discuss several procurement and funding matters. The committee authorized acceptance of a $16,949 grant from the New York State Office of Crime Victims to support safe harbor funding for youth at risk of trafficking. Additionally, the Department of Recreation is conducting an RFP for after-school and evening youth services at the College of St. Rose. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the planned implementation of an artificial intelligence system called EVA, provided by Typco Automated Systems, to improve public assistance services. The contract for EVA includes modules for automated phone responses, staff support tools, rights and responsibilities recordings, and telephone interviews for temporary assistance applicants. The total contract cost is approximately $249,000, with phased implementation expected by the end of the year and early next year. Committee members discussed concerns about AI's impact on staffing, accuracy, and user experience, with assurances given about quality control, compliance, and optional participation. The meeting concluded with a motion to close after addressing questions about the AI system's operation and procurement details.