Here's why foster care experts are gathering today
A shining light on the horizon. Shutterstock
A who’s who of New York City foster care players are convening today. They will meet at The New School (65 W. 11th Street, 5th Floor, Manhattan) at 8:30 a.m. to discuss the effect of preventive services on the child welfare system. “Panelists will review current practice, discuss the recent addition of evidence-based treatment models, and discuss how to amplify the voice of families in shaping future services,” reads a Jan. 29 press release.
Panelists include Administration for Children’s Services Commissioner David Hansell, Jim Purcell, CEO of The Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies, Sharmeela Mediratta, a vice president at Graham Windham, Jewish Child Care Association CEO Ron Richter, a former ACS commissioner and family court judge, and others.
News 12 The Bronx featured a parenting program for people incarcerated at the Vernon C. Bain Center. The two-minute story examines the Specialized Model for Adult Re-entry and Training program supported by Samaritan Daytop Village, where participants learn parenting skills and reflect on their own childhoods. See the broadcast here.
Child welfare advocates were busy at the state Capitol lobbying lawmakers on Jan. 29. They detailed their lobbying through social media posts and media appearances. “The Capitol Pressroom” – a WCNY radio program based out of the Capitol – featured Mariama Toe, a youth who benefitted from the Fostering Youth College Success Initiative, and Yolanda McBride, director of public policy at the Children’s Aid Society:
Look at this great group of #childwelfare advocates! #COFCCACares pic.twitter.com/69rEmZDG1X
— COFCCA (@COFCCA) January 28, 2019
Thanks so much @dianesavino for meeting with @ChildrensAidNYC and @_ShelteringArms about the @COFCCA agenda focused on foster care services. #COFCCACares https://t.co/AoWN0XXU4P
— Yolanda McBride (@YMcBrideCANYC) January 28, 2019
@risinggroundny Nancy Hruska and I are closing out today’s @COFCCA #Advocacy Day where we joined over 80 representatives from throughout NYS in #Albany to discuss the #NYChildWelfare budget priorities #COFCCACares #advocatesinthecity pic.twitter.com/4SQeHmsm7h
— Annie E. Minguez (@AnnieEMinguez) January 28, 2019
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is celebrating its centennial by donating $1 million. A dozen activists and advocates will be the beneficiaries of grants from the philanthropy, which, The Buffalo News notes, has a $485 million philanthropic presence in western New York.
There are five new board members at ANDRUS, according to a Jan. 29 press release. David Sullivan is a public accounting expert and former chief financial officer at Durst Fetner Residential LLC. James Black is the president of Blackstone Heating & Air Conditioning in New Rochelle. Katy Tucci is a senior wealth manager at BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Rene Garcia is a former state senator. Michael Spensley is the managing director at Pyxis Global Consulting LLC. The Westchester County-based nonprofit works with children who have behavioral and mental health issues.