Historically, members of the LGBTQIA+ community have faced discrimination and marginalization in larger society and the workforce. This group is open to staff who identify as LGBTQIA+ or are questioning their sexual and/or gender identity

imi, (pronounced eye-me) helps LGBTQ+ youth explore and affirm their identity and learn practical approaches to cope with sexual and gender minority stress in ways that are supportive, relevant, inclusive, and joyful. The web app provides affirming resources, activities, and stories of lived experiences from LGBTQ+ youth on important topics like stress, LGBTQ+ identity, internalized stigma, and gender identity and expression.

Dear Partners:    On April 15^th, the Division of Prevention Services is co-hosting a free family art workshop and community resource fair at El Museo del Barrio in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The event will take place from 12 noon – 2:00pm at 1230 5^th Avenue in Manhattan.   East Harlem-based multidisciplinary artist Kim Cabán will introduce participants to the cultural relevance of seeds that provide a source of livelihood in the Caribbean and will model creating a still-life painting of tropical fruits and vegetables using watercolor. The community resource fair will offer information to participants about ACS’s free programs and services available to support families in the community regardless of immigration status. There will also be giveaways and a raffle!   To register, click here. 

As we have previously reported, the New York Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) has been holding briefings on the extent to which racial disproportionalities and disparities exist in the New York child welfare system and its impact specifically on Black children and families. Since the Fall of last year, the Committee has heard from impacted individuals, advocates, academics, researchers, government officials, and the general public on the issue, including Suzanne Miles-Gustave, acting OCFS Commissioner, Jess Danhauser, ACS Commissioner, Ron Richter of member agency JCCA, and our own Sophine Charles. All materials and recordings are posted online HERE.

The Committee has concluded the briefings, however they are continuing to receive written testimony prior providing the Commission with its findings and recommendations. COFCCA has participated in the public comment portion of the briefings and has submitted written testimony advancing recommendations to prioritize meeting families’ basic needs and to eliminate disproportionate representation of families of color in the state’s child welfare system.

Our comments center around four key areas:

1) Eliminating Child Poverty: Real and meaningful change is needed to impact the systemic factors such as poverty that can and do lead to child welfare involvement;

2) Enhancing Access to Community Care- Prioritizing critical community services that focus on families’ basic needs to lessen vulnerability of entry into or escalation within the child welfare system;

3) Addressing Bias- Taking all steps possible against biased decision-making for those families that come in contact with the child welfare system; and

4) Ensuring the Success of Foster Youth- Invest in services/supports for those transitioning out of care.

You can find the full testimony HERE. If individual agencies wish to submit testimony—you are welcome to take any and all of COFCCA’s testimony to use in your own comments.  Email comments to mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov by August 20^th, 2023.

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