New York State Office of Children and Family Services

Congratulations to Commissioner Harris-Madden and all the honorees from this year's Mount Vernon Youth Bureau Planting the Seeds Gala. Your commitment to improving outcomes for youth is admirable and we are grateful for your advocacy!

Enjoy the water safely! Parents and guardians, stay vigilant and watch over your children while they swim. 🏊🏼‍♀️👀 Today Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to strengthen pool safety and drowning prevention: https://ow.ly/YZks50TaOVW.

It was a great day at the Great The Great New York State Fair! Commissioner Harris-Madden and other leaders joined Governor Kathy Hochul yesterday for Women's Day to celebrate the achievements of females statewide. Under the leadership of the State's first female Governor, is committed to promoting equality and a brighter future for .

joined partners from New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, and New York State Office of Victim Services for the Gender-based Violence Policy Listening Session to engage with members of the community and address ways to better serve survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.

proudly celebrates Women’s Equality Day, a reminder of the strides we’ve made and the work still ahead for equal rights and opportunities for all women. ♀

Going to The Great New York State Fair this year? Don't forget to swing by our booth in the Science & Industry Building from August 21—September 2!🎡✨ We'll be answering questions, handing out exclusive giveaways, and more! See you in Syracuse!

Retain and recruit great employees by offering reliable child care! Businesses that do may be eligible for the Child Care Creation and Expansion Tax Credit. Applications open Jan. 1. 👶🏼

Learn more: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/initiatives/creation-credit.php

Check out this success story!🙌🏽 Nisha Falcigno, a participant in Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind, shared how the program and VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired training helped her navigate everyday life when she lost her vision.

🔗https://sites.ed.gov/osers/2024/08/rsa-success-story-gaining-independence-through-the-il-oib-program/

Remember, supervision saves lives. Stay watchful when your little ones swim. 🏊🏼‍♀️

August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month! With more than 80% of early learning being visual, proper vision screenings and exams are crucial for detecting and addressing potential issues early on. Your child's pediatrician can advise on whether a specialist visit is needed.

If your child is blind or has low vision, the New York State Commission for the Blind ( ) is here to support their development. Explore NYSCB services by visiting visionloss.ny.gov.

"It was an awesome, pride-inducing experience both as a representative of and also as a person of Dominican descent." ~Luis Machuca, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Thank you Luis for joining Governor Kathy Hochul to represent in the NYC Dominican Day Parade!

' Director of the Bureau of Youth Development and Well-Being Sonia Tate was a guest reader at Queens Community House's Freedom School/Summer Camp program! 📚 The program serves children aged 5-11, promotes positive development, and offers culturally-responsive activities and services for Queens’ families.

🤝🏼Equine therapy 🐎 Due to a partnership with Vanderheyden and the Albany Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., youth in foster care can readily access the benefits of equine therapy, including enhanced emotional awareness, improved communication skills, reduced anxiety, and more.

As one of three state agencies charged with serving New York's Native populations, is proud to celebrate International Day of Indigenous Peoples and honor the cultures and contributions of Indigenous communities around the world. Learn more: https://ow.ly/UrRv50SSu63

Today we celebrate Moms' Equal Pay Day—a reminder of the progress still needed to close the wage gap for working mothers. Let’s continue to support initiatives that help families thrive.

staffs seven regional offices statewide to support our programs and partnerships. 🏙️Commissioner Harris-Madden had a successful trip to the New York City Regional Office, meeting with staff from and the Division of Child Care Services.

Whether you’re at the pool, beach, or enjoying a day on the lake, supervising your children around the water is crucial. Prevent accidents by being alert and attentive.

: Commissioner Harris-Madden joined Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Honorable Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl E. Heastie and others for Governor Kathy Hochul's Empire State Child Credit announcement celebrating $350M in supplemental payments to low- and moderate-income NYS families. Learn more: ny.gov/childcredit

Here's your friendly reminder that the Child Care Assistance Application is now entirely online!👨‍👩‍👧‍👧💻 Get access to high-quality, affordable child care now: https://ny.gov/childcare

"Being a father is the best experience I have had in my life—the most beautiful gift I could have received."

As we celebrate fatherhood engagement and involvement, we asked some NYS dads about their experiences as a parent.

Learn more about fatherhood engagement initiatives: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/fatherhood/ -efforts

Uplifting Their Voices: Celebrating Fatherhood

📣We're hiring!📣 is looking for psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors to work with our youth at the Brookwood Secure Center!

How to apply:
✔️Click the link: https://statejobs.ny.gov/public/vacancyTable.cfm?searchResults=Yes&AgID=190®ion0=0
✔️Find your desired job
✔️Email your materials

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against human trafficking.

As the first state to recognize sexually exploited youth as victims, NYS and are committed to protecting at-risk individuals and providing support to survivors: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/human-trafficking/

The Empire State Child Credit program just expanded! 🎉 Governor Kathy Hochul, Honorable Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl E. Heastie, and Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced $350M in supplemental payments to low- and moderate-income families, allowing more than 1M New York families to receive up to $330 per child and alleviate the cost of living.

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Governor Hochul Announces $350 Million in Direct Financial Assistance to Low- and Moderate-Income Families Across New York Governor Hochul announced New York State is delivering approximately $350 million in supplemental payments to low- and moderate-income families statewide through the Empire State Child Credit program.

Recent accomplishments in our state-operated residential centers:
🎓Brookwood & Goshen held grad ceremonies for 28 youth who earned high school diplomas
🏀 Two Finger Lakes youth volunteered at the Special Olympics New York
⛪ 21 Highland youth received baptism & 33 participated in Eid Al-Adha

More info: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/rehab/

OCFS seeks qualified not-for-profit organizations in seven regions statewide for Infant Toddler Regional Resource Centers to address the needs of the infant/toddler population. Additional information can be found on our website at: https://ow.ly/zMWF50SLeRM

Today we celebrate more than 30 years of empowering and protecting the rights of millions of Americans.

leadership had the pleasure of visiting the VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Summer Pre-College Program at Manhattanville University! Funded by , the program provides high school students with visual impairments the opportunity to refine their skills and build confidence before they attend college.

Learn more about the program: https://visionsvcb.org/youth/

Associate Commissioner Julie Hovey & Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Tammy Suits met Zuzu Sampson, the 10-year-old author of the self-published book "Braille Boy."📚 His book aims to help kids overcome common challenges in learning Braille.

🔗visionloss.ny.gov

: Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, , and others celebrated the launch of the online Child Care Assistance Program application! 💻 The digital portal aims to make affordable, high-quality child care more accessible to families statewide.

Access the portal now: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/ccap/