Happy Fall!

As the weather begins to cool and the changing leaves mark the winding down of another year, we’re starting to look forward to what the new year will hold. In our line of work, this means looking to the upcoming State budget process and legislative session. The 2015 session resulted in several exciting advances—protecting kids’ teeth with the Healthy Teeth Amendment and helping youth in foster care stay in school with funding to support foster youth in college, to name just two! However, there remains much to work toward during the coming year.

We’ve spent the last several months examining data and speaking with stakeholders from across the state about how to help children who are in or at-risk of entering New York’s child welfare system. We heard a lot about the problems: poor outcomes and a federal review that puts New York near last in several categories; services and supports that arrive too late to make a difference for kids; disparities in outcomes; and limited data about who is served, how much is spent, and who benefits from funding intended to prevent a child’s entry into the child welfare system. We are working with those same stakeholders to provide recommendations that are practical, cost-effective, and good for children. Our report with recommendations is forthcoming.

New York is undertaking significant changes in how Medicaid is organized and paid for, with the goals of improving health outcomes and lowering costs. As part of this endeavor, significant changes are planned for how vulnerable children—children in foster care, children with behavioral health care and other special needs—receive coverage and care. The Schuyler Center is working with partners in and outside of government to ensure that the State dedicates resources to ensure that children in need have access to a robust network of high-quality providers and services.

It is time for New York to renew our investment in our most vulnerable children and families!

Kate Breslin
President & CEO

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