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Our History
1980
Founding
In June 1980, more than 100 representatives from child abuse task forces and coalitions working in counties throughout New York State met in Albany to establish a statewide advocacy organization. With support and assistance from the Family Life Development Center at Cornell University and seed funding from the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, a steering committee elected at that meeting developed the New York State Federation on Child Abuse and Neglect.
1981
Board of Directors
By June 1981, they had created a mission statement and by-laws and formed a board of directors comprised of the task force and coalition members from eight regions (7 geographic, one minority group). The organization initially operated under the umbrella of the State Communities Aid Association (now renamed Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, SCAA). The agency was immediately invited to become the New York chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse and was chartered as such in 1982. The affiliation with the national organization led to increased emphasis on public education, professional training, and support for high-risk families.
1985-1999
Incorporation and Naming
In 1985, the organization moved from SCAA space to an office on South Swan Street in Albany and was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1986. In 1994, the agency's name was changed to National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse—New York State to affirm a closer identity with the national organization. It was changed again in 1999 to Prevent Child Abuse New York, when the national name became Prevent Child Abuse America.
2015-2023
Realignment and Advocacy
In 2015, PCA-NY began realigning workforce roles and program priorities and exploring new avenues for funding and advocacy. This reorganization focused on internal program alignment and added a Program Director to the staffing array. In April 2016, PCA-NY hosted its 20th annual prevention conference, obtained funding to expand the “Enough Abuse” sexual abuse prevention campaign, and created a senior staff position to strengthen its advocacy efforts. PC-ANY secured funding from the Hagedorn Foundation and the New York City Trust Foundation to support a full-time Director of Policy and Advocacy. This work focuses on the state and federal Early Childhood Home Visiting and Early Care levels. The Enough Abuse Campaign was expanded to four counties through new NYSOCFS funding.
In 2017, PCA-NY saw an expansion and broadening of the NYSPEP work. Staff facilitated a yearlong re-examination of the core work of the coalition, resulting in three significant changes:
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Inclusion of parent voice in the planning and execution of NYSPEP operations,
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Shift to community-based parent education/ engagement systems approach,
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Additional funding from NYSOCFS and support from NYSED.
That same year, the PIRC contract was renegotiated with NYSOCFS to refocus efforts on Protective Factors initiatives implemented at a regional and community level. The annual conference was replaced by regional summit events designed to reach more people and connect their work to local efforts to build Protective Factors.
With the increased emphasis on Advocacy, PCA-NY in 2018-19 advanced ACES and Resilience with the state legislature. Specific activities included screenings of the Resilience film, a legislative Roundtable, 2019 ACES Awareness Day, and multiple bills to advance trauma awareness and services. The 2018-19 regional initiatives included 12 counties hosting over 25 events, including professional development summits, parent leadership development events, community cafes, and focus group discussions. 2018-19 saw a significant expansion of PCA-NY’s training and technical assistance on ACES, Resilience, and the Protective Factors Framework. Staff booked over 80 screenings statewide with over 3000 participants. Of particular note was the initiation of paid consulting for communities on these topics, which resulted in a modest revenue stream. Consulting work included a variety of professional organizations, including law enforcement, libraries, DSS, community coalitions, and early childhood programs.
In 2021, the Resilience Leadership & Learning Institute was launched. PCA-NY received a Legislative Award to update the NYS Mandated Reporting Training. The PIRC contract was expanded to include technical assistance for all family-opportunity centers.
2024
Collaborative Leadership
In April 2024, PCA-NY announced, with unanimous agreement from the Board of Directors, a new era of collaborative leadership. This new model consists of four Managing Directors working collaboratively with the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors to lead our organization. This strategic shift towards a team-based model reflects our firm commitment to aligning our operation practices with our core mission and values. The team of Managing Directors will create a more inclusive, innovative, and responsive leadership approach that empowers everyone in the organization. The Managing Directors, with the support of the Board, will work together to steer the organization’s strategic direction, oversee critical functional areas, and champion our mission in a unified manner. This model emphasizes our belief in shared leadership and distributed decision-making, linking decisions to a Managing Director’s area of expertise and expediting action.
Prevent Child Abuse New York (PCA-NY) continues to be governed by a statewide board of directors who receive no compensation for their service. A 1990 by-laws amendment broadened board membership from regional representatives to "persons who support the purpose and goals of the organization" and represent business, health & human services, and civic sectors.
PCA-NY currently employs full and part-time staff, as well as the assistance of volunteers and college interns. PCA-NY receives funding from government grants, private contributions, corporate and foundation grants and gifts, and special events.
