Continue to expand Healthy Families New York Home Visiting by supporting S.4098 (Robach), which would establish an incremental funding schedule to carry the program across the state over the next five years. Healthy Families New York is one of the few programs in New York to have met the test of a stringent randomized trial evaluation. Those findings show positive outcomes for high-risk families of young children, both in children’s health and development and in parents’ positive, non-abusive parenting. $35,750,000 in the 07-08 budget will enable 20 percent of New York’s most vulnerable families of newborns to provide the care and protection their children need and deserve. Governor Spitzer’s Executive Budget made a good start, adding $200,000 to the $25 million that the Legislature assured for the program last year.

Enable taxpayer gifts to support child abuse prevention in our state through personal income tax and corporate franchise tax check-offs for Prevent Child Abuse New York, It is estimated that New York government spends as much as $2.5 billion each year to treat the damages of child abuse,  alcohol and drug abuse in later life, increased Medicaid costs, incarceration, foster care, prostitution and more. Child abuse can be prevented and several programs to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect are already in operation in New York State. The addition of a check-off box on the Personal Income Tax forms will greatly support these crucial programs and provide a convenient way for people to contribute to the prevention of child abuse and neglect in New York State and in their communities.

Reform Child Protective Services by establishing a Differential Response system so the care and safety of children is improved by strengthening family engagement and provision of needed services.  Also known as “Dual Track” or “Alternative Response,” the focus for less serious cases is on assessing and meeting the family’s needs, rather than conducting an investigation to establish whether the parent did or did not maltreat the child.  Investigative resources are targeted to serious cases, e.g. of physical and sexual abuse, as is currently required for all cases reported to New York’s hotline.  This system has been found, in other states, to assure both child safety and family support. ACHIEVED.

Maintain $2 million for the New York State Children and Family Trust Fund, which spurs the development and replication of innovative community-based services to prevent child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse.  The Trust Fund’s early support has been responsible for the start-up and replication of some of New York’s most effective, research-proven programs, including Healthy Families New York and the nationally renowned Shaken Baby Prevention Program started at Buffalo Children’s Hospital. ACHIEVED.

Prevent Child Abuse New York's advocacy efforts during the 2006 state legislative session saw several successes.

Find out about the 2008 Legislative Program

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