Establishes an incremental funding schedule to make home visiting programs available to at-risk children

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing incremental funding for home visiting programs available to children at risk of child abuse and neglect

Purpose of bill

To increase funding for home visit programs across the state by establishing funding amounts for the years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 and requiring the office of children and family services to develop a statewide plan by 2011.

Summary of provisions

Adds a new paragraph 8 to section 429 of the social services law to establish specific funding levels for home visiting programs for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 fiscal years. Adds a new paragraph 9 to require the office of children and family services to develop a statewide plan for home visiting by January 31, 2011.

Justification

Approximately 1,300 children die each year in this country as a result of child abuse and neglect, and many others suffer serious injuries. In New York state, 75,000 children are maltreated each year. These are only the cases that are reported.

Regrettably child abuse and neglect continue to be a significant problem in this state and around the country. Insufficient resources are invested to prevent the abuse from occurring in the first place, while a huge financial cost is placed upon taxpayers to treat the consequences of child abuse including: Medicaid costs, court costs, incarceration, foster care, child protective services, and more. It is estimated that New York spends more than $2.5 billion to treat the consequences of child abuse, but about $25 million in primary prevention money.

Nicholas T., an eighteen month old, from Oswego county was a victim of abuse. His death at the hands of a caregiver could have potentially been prevented has the Department of Social Services had the resources to make the home visits enabled by this legislation.

Research in the last decade has concluded that child abuse can in many cases be prevented. Home visits by trained personnel made to families at risk of abuse and neglect is the most successful approach. Two programs that send trained personnel to visit the homes of at risk mothers to provide parenting skills and other advice--the Nurse Family Partnership and Healthy Families New York--have operated in New York for more than a decade. They have undergone stringent, randomized evaluations and have been proven to improve the quality of life for children at risk of being maltreated in their homes.

Funding for home visiting has been limited to nominal increases and subject to state budget negotiations. Currently, home visiting is not available in many counties across the state. Establishing funding in statute and working toward a statewide plan would prevent cases of child maltreatment and save resources that follow cases of abuse. This is especially true in rural counties where abuse goes under reported.

The specific provisions of this bill providing for home visits with parents of children at risks will help prevent future tragic cases like Nicholas T.

Legislative history

2007-2008: A.8741

Fiscal implications

Increases in home visiting will be offset by savings in the areas of incarceration, Medicaid, foster care, special education and more.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.