Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does SCAA do?
2. Who is SCAA's constituency?
3. What subject areas does SCAA work on?
4. Is SCAA affiliated with the state of New York?
5. Where is SCAA located?
6. Who heads your organization?
7. Does SCAA have a board of trustees?
8. How do I contact the right staff person about a particular initiative?
9. How do I obtain a specific SCAA publication, press release, or testimony?
10. How is SCAA funded?
11. Does SCAA fund other services or other organizations?
12. Does SCAA provide any direct services?
13. How does SCAA do its work?
14. Can I join SCAA?
15. Does SCAA accept interns or fellows?
16. How do I obtain child placement/adoption information from SCAA's earlier Child Placing service?

1. What does SCAA do?
   SCAA is an independent, nonprofit, public policy organization based in Albany, New York. We promote the public interest by advancing policies to improve the heatlh, welfare and human services for poor and vulnerable New Yorkers. SCAA achieves its reforms through creative and detail-conscious policy analysis, coalition-building and advocacy to elected officials, agency executives and stakeholders.
2. Who is SCAA's constituency?
   All New Yorkers, especially those who are poor or vulnerable.
3. What subject areas does SCAA work on?
   SCAA's policy initiatives are determined by its citizen-led Board of Trustees and include work in the following areas: child care & early education, employment training & workforce development, child welfare & child support, mental health, health care policy & finance, and welfare & income maintenance.
4. Is SCAA affiliated with the state of New York?
   SCAA is an independent, non-profit organization and is not affiliated with the State of New York.
5. Where is SCAA located?
   Directions to SCAA's office at 150 State Street
   
   * Take the Thruway to Exit 23.
   
   * Take Interstate 787 North.
   
   * Take the exit that says Downtown Albany. Follow the Broadway signs. You will be making a left at the light and going under an overpass. When you come out from under the overpass there's a light. Go straight through the light and bear right. Keep to the left lane. At the second light make a left onto State Street. Go up the hill. The Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel at State and Lodge is on the right and has parking. SCAA is up the hill to the left of the Capitol Building at 150 State Street. It's one building up from the corner of Eagle and State Street.

   Parking Suggestions:
   
   * Parking in downtown Albany can be a challenge. There is metered parking, and parking garages at the Pepsi Arena off of Pearl Street, and the Albany Crowne Plaza Hotel at State and Lodge Streets.

6. Who heads your organization?
   Karen Schimke is President & CEO of SCAA.
7. Does SCAA have a board of trustees?
   There are currently 21 Board of Trustee members representing a diverse, statewide constituency. Visit the Board page for a current list of members.
8. How do I contact the right staff person about a particular initiative?
   Visit the Staff page for a list of SCAA staff members linked to a description of employment history and current agency responsibilities with individual e-mail addresses and phone numbers for contact purposes.
9. How do I obtain a specific SCAA publication, press release, or testimony?
   Go to the Publications page where you will find a brief description of the publication and order form. Most of the listed publications are available in PDF files and can be viewed and printed directly from our website. If you are interested in a bulk publications order, contact Carole Holden at cholden @scaany.org or by phone at 518-463-1896 ext.21.
10. How is SCAA funded?
    SCAA relies on a modest endowment, contributions from Board members and others, and foundation support to carry out its extensive agenda.
11. Does SCAA fund other services or other organizations?
    SCAA does not provide funding to other services.
12. Does SCAA provide any direct services?
    SCAA does not provide direct services in the traditional sense. We do provide technical assistance to other organizations on policy, service delivery, and advocacy.
13. How does SCAA do its work?
    The organization receives policy direction from its Board of Trustees and the Program Committees established by the Board. There are currently four committees: Health, Economic Security, Children's Services, and Mental Health. The committees consist of SCAA board members and invited experts in the specific issue area. They average four meetings each year to consider current policy issues, define SCAA's agenda and prepare recommendations to the full Board. The full board meets three times a year. Professional staff carries out the day-to-day work of the organization. The primary strategies used to carry out the organizational agenda include 1) development of public policy alternatives, creation of coalitions and legislative advocacy, and 2) education of the public and decision-makers through a quarterly newsletter, forums, policy papers, and periodic informational alerts.
14. Can I join SCAA?
    Go to the Membership Page outlining the membership levels with an order form to join SCAA.
15. Does SCAA accept interns or fellows?
    SCAA provides an excellent opportunity to graduate students interested in policy analysis, research, and advocacy. With our office located across from the NYS Capitol, interns receive a hands-on overview of the legislative process including attending hearings and meetings with legislators, writing memos in support & opposition, involvement in collaborative efforts with diverse advocate organizations, and research on specific policy issues. The State University of New York at Albany's School of Social Welfare, School of Public Health, and the Center for Women In Government programs have placed students at SCAA.  For questions about internship availability, contact Karen Schimke at (518) 463-1896 x. 25 or by e-mail at kschimke@scaany.org.
16. How do I obtain child placement/adoption information from SCAA's earlier Child Placing service?
    SCAA divested from its Child Placing Service in February 1964, and all records were given to the Children's Aid Society in New York City. Information requests should be sent in writing to:
    
    Children's Aid Society
    150 East 45th St.
    New York, NY 10017
    
    Attn: Carolyn Masters