For Immediate Release:  March 16, 2018

Contact: Stephanie Gendell, (646-232-6721), sgendell@cccnewyork.org
Kari Siddiqui, (518-463-1896 ext. 130), ksiddiqui@scaany.org

The New York State Child Welfare Coalition responds to the New York State Assembly and Senate One House Budget Bills for SFY 2018-2019

The New York State Child Welfare Coalition appreciates the commitment the New York State Assembly has made to the children and families of New York, including those residing in New York City, but was greatly disappointed that the Senate did not make the same commitment in its One House Budget bill.

The Assembly One House Budget Bill for State Fiscal Year 2018-2019 rejects the proposed cap and cut to child welfare services in New York City, which includes funding for child protective services that keep children safe and preventive services that support families so that children may remain safely with their families.  The Assembly also fully funds the Foster Youth College Success Initiative, restores all $41.4 million to the Close to Home juvenile justice placement system in New York City and ensures all counties, including New York City, will be reimbursed for expenses associated with raising the age of criminal responsibility.  This One House Budget Bill reflects the values of supporting New Yorkers, including those in New York City, and particularly those that are most in need of support.

While the Senate did include language to ensure that all counties, including New York City, would be reimbursed for raise the age expenses, the Senate Majority accepted with prejudice the cuts to child welfare services and Close to Home and failed to restore or increase funding for the Foster Youth College Success Initiative.  In accepting the cuts with prejudice, the Senate resolution did say, “The Senate expresses concern over the impact these actions will have on New York City’s ability to provide these services and urges the Executive, in the strongest terms, to reconsider these misguided actions.”

The New York State Child Welfare Coalition is similarly concerned and urges the Executive and the Legislature to ensure the Adopted Budget rejects these dangerous cuts to child welfare and juvenile justice services.