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Bridges to Health Helps Keep Disabled Foster Children in Community
Governor Eliot Spitzer and Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión today announced that the agency has received the first application for its new Bridges to Health comprehensive community care program, which focuses on the most vulnerable children in foster care. The program is the first of its kind in the nation and will commence on January 1, 2008.
Bridges to Health will provide expanded and enhanced services to at least 3,300 foster children with disabilities, including children in OCFS custody, over the next three years. These children typically have serious emotional problems or developmental disabilities or are medically fragile. The program also will serve their families, including birth parents, foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, and siblings. Governor Spitzer Announces First Application Received for Landmark Community Health Program for Foster Children
Fun-Filled Event Nov. 3 for Parents and Children
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced the fifth annual New York Loves Safe Babies event to be held at Crossgates Mall, Albany, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3.
This fun-filled event, on the lower level across from Regal Cinemas, will provide mothers, fathers and other caregivers with valuable information on how to prevent serious injuries and keep their children safe. Radio Disney and Merdwin the Mediocre Magician will participate, providing entertainment and fun activities for both children and parents. Child Safety Event to be Held at Crossgates Mall
Heart Gallery Exhibit Highlights Waiting Children
The first New York Statewide Heart Gallery will be on display at the Empire State Plaza in Albany from Nov. 5-12 to help mark November as National Adoption Month, announced state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq.
The public is invited to attend the opening reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, or to stop by and view the gallery through Nov. 12. It will be located on the South Concourse (Madison Avenue entrance). Empire State Plaza Exhibit Marks Adoption Month
It is a privilege for me to be here today to take part in this budget hearing. I would like to discuss highlights of OCFS' budget request and also to inform you about some of the exciting work that is currently underway at OCFS. After having served as Commissioner for 10 months, I am now in a better position to update you on critical programs needing improvement as well as strategies for transformational change in child welfare, juvenile justice and child care. The changes we have already made and are continuing to make are based on guidance from public and private stakeholders as well as best practices and procedures. Testimony of Gladys Carrión, Esq., Commissioner, New York State Office of Children & Family Services on Agency Priorities and Budget Request (PDF)
$3 Million in Trust Fund Grants to Fight Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse
New York State Office of Children & Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced grants totaling more than $3 million to 27 programs across the state to fight child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse. The grants are administered by OCFS through the William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust Fund. OCFS Announces Family Violence Prevention Grants
Bridges to Health Program Will Help Children Avoid Costly Institutional Care
Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced a new program to expand support services to thousands of children in foster care with serious disabilities. The Bridges to Health program is the first of its kind in the nation enrolling children in foster care exclusively.
Bridges to Health targets foster children who have developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses, and medical problems that are so severe they would otherwise likely be in restrictive and high-cost institutions. By making services available to these children, the state will help them function in family and community settings instead. The program will be launched in early 2008 and will serve more than 3,300 foster children when it is fully implemented. Governor Spitzer Announces First Program in Nation to Provide Supportive Services Exclusively to Children in Foster Care with Serious Disabilities
Promotes Innovative Initiatives and Safety, Creates 163 New Child Care Slots
New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced the award of $1,061,758 in grants to expand and improve New York's child care facilities. The grants will enhance safety at existing child care facilities; create 163 new child care slots for New York's families; and support innovative approaches to improving child care across the state. OCFS Announces Over $1 Million to Expand and Improve Child Care
Event Features "Reel" Kids Videos by Le Moyne College
The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS), Syracuse Regional Office, will host "Reel" Kids, a special multimedia open house, to help find homes for children awaiting adoption. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, at the Holiday Inn - Liverpool, at Thruway Exit 37.OCFS to Hold Adoption Program in Central New York
Program Improves Birth Outcomes, Promotes Healthy Parenting Practices
New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced the award of $4,414,278 million in grants to 11 community agencies across New York State for the Healthy Families New York (HFNY) Home Visiting Program. HFNY is a voluntary home visiting program that offers systematic assessment of pregnant women and new parents for risks that may lead to child abuse and poor health/development outcomes. Ten of the awards are for new HFNY Home Visiting sites, and the 11th will expand an existing site. OCFS Announces $4.4 Million for Healthy Families New York
Planned for Rensselaer, Rochester and New York City
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) will hold three public hearings in May on the state's proposed multi-year plan for federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds. State Holding Hearings on Federal Child Care Funds
Proyectadas para Rensselaer, Rochester y la Ciudad de Nueva York
La Oficina de Servicios para Niños y Familias del Estado de Nueva York (New York State Office of Children and Family Services-OCFS) llevará a cabo en mayo tres audiencias públicas sobre el plan estatal propuesto para varios años en relación a los fondos federales del Bloque de Subsidios para el Desarrollo y Cuidado Infantil (Child Care and Development Block Grant). Audiencias Estatales Sobre Fondos Federales de Cuidado Infantil
Grants Will Help Reach At-risk Youth and their Families, Provide Preventive Services
New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq., today announced the award of nearly $4.4 million in grants to 23 community agencies across New York State for preventive services for at-risk families who are not yet in the child welfare system. OCFS Announces $4.4 Million for Family Enrichment
Recognize Excellence in Educating Communities About Child Abuse, Neglect
The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) and Prevent Child Abuse New York announced the 2007 Excellence in Child Abuse Prevention Awards at the 12th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference held April 16-18 in Albany. 2007 Child Abuse Prevention Awards Announced
Funds Will Help Create 10 New Child Advocacy Centers
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión today announced the award of grants totaling more than $1.4 million that will create 10 Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) that centralize and increase access to necessary services for child victims and non-offending family members. OCFS Announces Over $1.4 Million for Child Safety
Law Allows for Criminal Background Checks on Mentors, More Information for Parents
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión joined today with Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City and the National Mentoring Partnership to announce the implementation of the Safe Mentoring Act, a new law that becomes effective April 1, 2007. Safe Mentoring Act Takes Effect April 1, 2007
Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee
Chairman Johnson, Chairman Farrell, and distinguished members of the Legislature, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about the 2007-2008 Executive Budget for human services. I am pleased to be here with my distinguished colleagues, David Hansell, Acting Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and Patricia Smith, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Labor, with whom I will be working very closely. I am honored that Governor Spitzer has given me the opportunity to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). I look forward to working collaboratively with partners across the State, including the Legislature, to improve the lives of New York's vulnerable children and families. My entire career has been dedicated to that goal and I look forward to continuing this work as Commissioner.
I believe the 2007-2008 Executive Budget will help strengthen the continuum of services for which OCFS is responsible. But before I talk in more detail about the Budget, I want to say a few words about the approach I will be taking, and requiring of my staff, during my tenure as Commissioner. Going forward, openness and inclusion will be the guiding principles at OCFS. We will actively reach out to, and seek input from, diverse groups of public and private partners across the State who have a stake in improving outcomes for children and families. I believe this approach is a prerequisite for the success of any agency and it will be the approach taken at OCFS. Testimony of Commissioner Gladys Carrión, Esq. (PDF)
Grant Extends Study of Nationally Recognized Program
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Acting Commissioner Gladys Carrión announced today that the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has awarded $639,563 to OCFS to extend a randomized trial of Healthy Families New York (HFNY) from three years to seven years. The grant will help OCFS to broaden and build on data collected from the existing randomized trial of HFNY that was initiated by OCFS and the Center for Human Services Research at the University of Albany. OCFS Awarded Just Under $640,000 for Healthy Families New York Study
New York City Council Committee on General Welfare
Chairman de Blasio and distinguished members of the City Council, my name is Gladys Carrión, and I am the Acting Commissioner of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). As a former legal services attorney who has practiced in Family Court, I am honored to have this opportunity to provide written testimony regarding child welfare and the increased demands on the New York City Family Courts.
OCFS is charged under State and Federal laws and regulations with supervising, monitoring, and providing technical assistance to 58 local social services districts, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, and numerous providers which serve "at-risk" adults, families, children and youth. The primary program areas that OCFS oversees include Foster Care, Adoption, Prevention Services, Child Protective Services, Child Day Care, Services for Domestic Violence Victims, Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, Adult Protective Services, and Native American Services. In addition, OCFS operates the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR), which is sometimes referred to as the "Child Abuse Hotline." The SCR is responsible for handling phone calls from mandated reporters and the general public reporting suspected incidents of child abuse, maltreatment or neglect on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis. Testimony of Commissioner Gladys Carrión (PDF)