The Village of Colonie Outreach Center office is currently located inside the Village Hall & Senior Center building at 2 Thunder Road. Please use the side entrance of the building across from the Locust Park playground.
The Village of Colonie Outreach Center staff is able to provide information on community services, resources and government programs that provide assistance to individuals and families in need. The Outreach Center Staff can help you understand the services that are available and make referrals to appropriate programs. In addition, the Outreach Center Staff works closely with our local school district for those families that have questions regarding their child’s education and with our Village Senior Center to assist with their needs and safety.
Mental and Emotional Health Support
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Would you like to talk to somebody outside your home?
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255, 24/7 availability
Albany County Mobile Crisis Team: 518-549-6500 (ask for Mobile Crisis)
- Monday to Friday 8:00am to 12:00 midnight, Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am to 9:30pm
- Emergency mental health assessment in the community access to Child and Adolescent Mobile Crisis Team
Parsons Child and Adolescent Mobile Crisis Team: 518-549-6500 or 518-447-4550 (ask for Child and Adolescent Mobile Crisis)
- Monday to Friday 11:00am to 9:30pm
- 60 Academy Road, Albany, NY 12208
- Crisis Assessment, Intervention & Stabilization; Consultation and Information; Facilitation of Alternate Levels of Care
- Responds to calls in Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady Counties
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Emergency HEAP can often help people who are confronted with heat-related emergencies, such as a lack of fuel, a utility shut-off, or inoperable/unsafe heating equipment.
If you are eligible for HEAP, we encourage you to apply.
Applicants who have no power or less than 1/4 tank of deliverable fuel should appear to the DSS office at 162 Washington Avenue. between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Please refer to https://mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits/begin for information related to eligibility and the ability to file your application online.
If you prefer to apply in person for HEAP Benefits in Albany County OR have already received a Regular (or initial) HEAP grant in the current season and have a new emergency situation please phone or appear in person:
Cornell Cooperative Extension will handle ALL HEAP in person and mail-in applications for the entire County at the following locations:
- CHOICES, Rte. 9 W Faith Plaza, Ravena. Phone (518) 756-8650, Fax (518) 756-3988
- Cornell Cooperative Extension, 230 Green St. Albany 3rd Floor. Phone (518) 765-3500 Fax (518) 463-8218
- Cohoes Multi-Service Senior Center, 10 Cayuga Plaza, Cohoes (only Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Albany County Department of Social Services phone number for HEAP is (518) 447-7323. That phone line is monitored at regular intervals during regular business hours and messages are returned promptly. You may also email energy@albanycounty.gov. The HEAP fax number is (518) 447-2518.
You can create a printable HEAP application on your own computer and bring it with you if you apply in person!
Simply follow the directions on the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website, https://otda.ny.gov/programs/apply/#heap , print out your application or bring it in to a location listed above.
Meet the Outreach Center Staff
Joan Rueckert
Contact Information
Biography
Joan Rueckert has worked for the Village of Colonie since June 2011 as an Outreach Worker. Joan is a graduate of Russell Sage College with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Psychology. She previously taught special education for Albany BOCES. Joan also worked for Families Together as a Parent Partner assisting families that have children with a mental health diagnosis. Joan continues to assist individuals and families by providing information and referrals to community services, resources and government agencies. She also works with the local school district assisting families with questions regarding their child’s education. Joan is the mother of two grown children and has extensive experience caring for elderly family members.
Contact Information
