Niagara Gazette
August 24, 2007 05:29 pm
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State Senator George Maziarz deserves high praise for his continued efforts to support children and families and prevent child abuse and neglect. Certainly, his work on Megan’s Law, which established the sex offender registry, has made our communities safer for children. In addition, Maziarz has been a strong supporter of agencies throughout Niagara County that provide services to children and families in need.
Recently, Maziarz co-sponsored legislation that provides funding to home visiting programs aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. This legislation provides funds to Monroe County, and we hope that in the future the state Legislature will work to bring more funding for home visiting programs to Niagara County and the rest of the state. The bill, which passed unanimously in the Senate, awaits passage in the Assembly.
Research over the past decade has shown that home visiting programs are effective in preventing child abuse. Randomized trials of Healthy Families New York, a home visiting program in 28 communities in New York state, demonstrate that the program increases positive, nonabusive parenting and improves children’s health and development. The program has made a significant difference in getting thousands of children and their families off to a good start.
Niagara County is fortunate to have Healthy Families Niagara, one of the Healthy Families New York programs. Thanks to the leadership and commitment of the Niagara County Department of Social Services, this program is offered through Family & Children’s Service of Niagara. In Niagara County, we have been able to help hundreds of pregnant women and mothers of newborns get their babies off to a healthy start in life. Even so, the program is only available to a fraction of the families who need it.
Further expansion of home visiting programs would enhance a proven, cost-effective child abuse prevention strategy in Niagara County. We urge the Assembly to act swiftly to pass the current legislation, and we hope the state Legislature will pursue a statewide initiative next year.
Kenneth A. Sass is the president and CEO of Family & Children’s Service of Niagara.
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