Support a comprehensive system of home visiting by establishing a model-neutral system of support and services to promote optimal health, mental health, family functioning and self-sufficiency for all pregnant women, infants, and “new” families (including first-time parents, existing families with new babies, and other caregiver situations—such as grandparents, etc.).  This system of services will include universal contact/screening of all pregnant women and new families; assessments for parent, child and family health, mental health, developmental, social, literacy and other service needs; referrals to an array of coordinated supports and services; and home visiting services of varying duration and intensity as needed. For more information, download the Home Is Where the Start Is Home Visiting White Paper (PDF).

Reinvest monies saved from the closure and/or loss of a residential bed into prenatal and infancy home visiting services by passing S.7227 (Golden). Each year, children and family programs must fight to sustain access to funding and resources. While investments have been made in education, services for children under the age of 4 have been drastically cut. Education begins at home, and to ensure that children are ready to learn and perform their best in the classroom, we must invest in providing services to their families prenatally. For more information, download Memo of Support for S.7227 (PDF).

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.

Pass legislation (A.4425a-Mayersohn/S.2978-Robach) protecting children and those that protect them. A reasonable and valid assessment depends on full and reliable information about the adults living with the child or otherwise named as subjects of the report. Currently, Child Protective Service investigators do not have access to criminal record information databases that would enable them to immediately determine if a person named in the report has a violent criminal history or previously committed crimes against children. This is a necessary disclosure of information in safeguarding the wellbeing of our children and those that work to protect them. For more information, download Memo of Support for A.4425a (PDF).

Prevent Child Abuse New York's advocacy efforts during the 2007 state legislative session and 2006 state legislative session saw several successes.

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