Memos in Support or Opposition

                                                                          2010 Session

Memo in support:
S5395A (Hassell-Thompson) / A3686A (Aubry), AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to establishing no fee shall be charged for certain requests for birth certificates. The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA) supports S5395A, legislation which allows no fee to be charged for obtaining a copy of one’s birth certificate for those inmates and youth exiting correctional and juvenile justice facilities. May 13, 2010. View

Memo in support:
A. 10790 (Ortiz); S. 7254 (Morahan), AN ACT to amend chapter 408 of the laws of 1999 constituting Kendra's Law, in relation to extending the expiration. The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA) strongly supports this legislation which would extend the expiration date of Kendra’s Law. April 2010. View

Memo in opposition:

A. 10421 (Gunther); S. 7596 (Young), AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law and the correction law, in relation to enhancing the assisted outpatient treatment program; and to amend chapter 408 of the laws of 1999 constituting Kendra's Law, in relation to the effective date. The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA) is strongly opposed to this legislation. The numerous amendments this legislation makes to the existing Kendra’s law would substantially reduce the rights of persons with psychiatric disabilities by expanding the scope of the law and making it permanent. April 2010. View

Memo in Support:
SCAA fully supports the Governor’s proposed Article VII legislation to create a Kinship Guardianship Assistance program in New York State. Mar. 22, 2010. View

Memo in Support:
The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy supports the proposal in the Executive Budget for an excise tax on syrup for sugar sweetened beverages. This proposal would benefit the health of New Yorkers and provide revenue for health related programs. Feb. 2010. View

Letter in Support:
Sent to Senator John L. Sampson in support of A.5462-A/S.2233-A, ASFA Expanded Discretion Bill, sponsored by Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Chair of the Social Services, Children and Families Committee and Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry, Chair of the Corrections Committee. This bill addresses the unique circumstances and difficulties in cases involving a parent who is incarcerated or in a residential drug treatment program by allowing local departments of social services to delay filing termination of parental rights papers. Feb. 17, 2010. View

New York Children's Action Network letter sent to Assembly Member Catherine T. Nolan regarding support of certain strategies adopted by the Board of Regents and State Department of Education to address funding challenges of current GED operations. June 24, 2010. View

New York Children's Action Network letter sent to Governor Paterson, asking for TANF funding restoration in his 21 day amendments to the Executive Budget. February 4, 2010. View  See the 2010-2011 TANF Funding Restoration Request list here.

                                                                          2009 Session

Memo in support:
S.4388 (Montgomery)/A.8504 Scarborough, An Act to amend the family court act and the social services law, in relation to trial discharges of youth in foster care and voluntary re-placements of older adolescents in foster care. June 8, 2009. View

Memo in support:

S. 5672 (Huntley)/A. 8611 (Morelle), An Act to eliminate the expiration and repeal of Timothy's Law. June 2009. View

Memo in support:
S3880 (Montgomery)/A8223 (Titus), AN ACT to amend the social services law and the family court act, in relation to permanency for destitute children, reinstatement of parental relationships and enhancement of supervised independent living programs; and to repeal certain provisions of the social services law relating thereto. May 15, 2009. View

Memo in opposition:
S.4790 (Montgomery)/A.3233 (Clark) Office of the Child Advocate. These “same as” bills establish an independent Office of the Child Advocate vested with the authority to examine systemic issues in state-funded programs overseen by OCFS in order to advocate for the rights, safety, and well-being of children in the state’s care. April 30, 2009. View

Memo in opposition & policy brief:
Governor David Paterson has proposed a New York Higher Education Loan Program (NYHELPs) to offer private student loans through the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). NYHELPs would be the largest state student loan program in the nation. March 13, 2009. View

Memo in support:

A. 3657 (Scarborough), which would reduce barriers to accessing child care for low-income families. February 10, 2009. View

Memo in support:
S. 1646 (Huntley), An ACT to amend the mental hygiene law to permanently extend Timothy’s Law, and S. 185 (Morahan) / A. 4572 (Rivera), An ACT to amend Timothy’s Law to include the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. February 10, 2009. View

New York Children's Action Network Memo's in Support/Opposition:

Memo in opposition:

S1510 (DeFransisco)/A182 (Christenson) Erin's Law, and S4249 (Aubertine) / A6791 Barclay, requires the local social services department to investigate and evaluate a family at least once a year for the next five years when there are three or more previous reports related to the same individual, including unfounded reports. June 4, 2009. View

Memo in support:
S1277 (Montgomery)/A 6057 (Errigo), an act amending social services law to establish a post-adoption services program that will expand a range of existing post-adoption services available to children and their adoptive and birth families. June 2, 2009. View

Memo in support:
S3880 (Montgomery)/A8223 (Titus), reinstatement of parental relationships and enhancement of supervised independent living programs (SILPs), as put forth by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). June 2, 2009. View

Memo in opposition:

S4790 (Montgomery)/A3233 (Clark), establishment of the Office of the Child Advocate. June 1, 2009. View