|
Take Action
|
This year was one of the toughest budget and policy years ever. Governor Paterson proposed a significant decrease in funding for child abuse prevention: 35% less for home visiting services and 10% less for the William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust Fund. But Prevent Child Abuse New York’s voice was heard loud and clear. “Kids can’t wait for a better budget year,” was our motto—and we succeeded, with your help, in several areas: Healthy Families New York Home Visiting program was restored to $23.3 million, from a proposed reduction of $8 million. Especially in this economically challenging time, New York must ensure smart investments in children and families. Healthy Families New York is one of the few programs funded by New York to meet the test of a stringent evaluation. Those findings show not only positive outcomes for high-risk families of young children, but also an immediate cost return and savings by cutting the rate of low birthweight in half. In addition, the program provides services to families immediately in need. Finally, the federal government has continuously included home visitation in its healthcare reform package with a state maintenance of effort requirement. Any reduction in spending for home visitation would have made New York ineligible for millions of Federal dollars.  Home Visiting White Paper The New York State William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust Fund restored by 90%, from a proposed elimination. The Trust Fund spurs the development and replication of innovative community-based services to prevent child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse. The Trust Fund plays a pivotal role in family violence treatment and prevention, and provides funding for services across the lifespan. Funding from the Trust Fund is provided to community-based organizations, a more cost-effective method of delivering services. In these tough times, the Trust Fund shines as an example of innovation in economically sound human services policy investment. Policy Briefing on NYS Children and Family Trust Fund Preventing Juvenile Delinquency by Investing in Child Abuse Prevention PCANY's Testimony Before the Joint Legislative Conference Committee on Human ServicesThe passage of S.2233/A.5462 (Montgomery/Aubrey), which adjusts the rigid mandates of the Adoptions and Safe Families Act to maintain relationships between children and their incarcerated parents, or parents in substance abuse services. Regarding the negative effect of parental incarceration on children ,it is without a doubt that the loss of apparent into the criminal justice system is not only devastating, but can hold long-term effects on the child’s development and in particular, his behavior as an adolescent and throughout his adult life. However, significant research has emerged that frequent and positive interactions with the incarcerated parent and child can, and do, mitigate these negative outcomes, and can provide a significantly healthier future and more positive outcomes for both parent and child. The termination of parental rights should never be taken lightly; nor should the decision to retain a child in foster care. Without pause, consideration should always be given to the child’s best interests – even when that does not include an immediate path to permanency. The most fundamental and important tool for a child or adolescent’s development is his relationship with his parents, and this legislation ensures access and supports to encourage and strengthen that relationship without jeopardizing the child’s future. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We are the New York State chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. Call 1-800-CHILDREN to reach your state's chapter. |
|
View our GuideStar Profile in their national database of nonprofit organizations. |
|
- We're an official partner! |
|
| Prevent Child Abuse NY | 33 Elk Street, 2nd Floor | Albany, NY 12207 | | P: 518-445-1273 | 1-800-CHILDREN | F: 518-436-5889 | | |
