Dr. Ansley Bacon stated, “I am delighted that both County
Executive Andy Spano and District Attorney Janet DiFiore will
be addressing this important and timely conference. And of course
we are all very excited about the grant from Senator Spano because
it shows the commitment at all levels of government for the
work of the Center.”
“Several months ago when I visited WIHD and saw the dreary
space that was being used by the Children's Advocacy Center,
I knew that something had to be done. The $200,000 State grant
that I was able to secure will be used to create a child friendly
environment that will help put sexually or physically abused
children at ease during the interview process.”, said
Senator Nick Spano. The grant will be used to renovate, refurbish
and redecorate the Children’s Advocacy Center to create
a much more comfortable setting for children as well as space
for the multi-disciplinary team who assist in the investigation
of child sexual and serious child physical abuse. The team includes
the DA’s office, local law enforcement, the Department
of Social Services and the County Attorney’s office. The
Center will include appropriate furnishings in a waiting room,
interview room and a medical examination room. The Children’s
Advocacy Center utilizes space that was formerly a pediatric
outpatient clinic.
The conference on ‘Front Line Medical Provider Response
to Child and Adolescent Sexual and Physical Abuse’ hosted
by the Institute will be held on Friday, May 19th at WIHD, in
the Cedarwood Hall Auditorium, in Valhalla, from 8:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. This conference is made possible by a grant from the
National Children’s Alliance and was co-sponsored by Maria
Fareri Children’s Hospital, Child Abuse Medical Providers
Network, New York State Department of Health, Westchester County
Departments of Health and Social Services and the District Attorney’s
Office.
Westchester Institute for Human Development is one of only
65 University Centers for Excellence in Disabilities Education,
Research, and Service (UCEDD) in the nation. WIHD advances policies
and practices that foster the healthy development and ensure
the safety of all children, strengthen families and communities,
and promote health and well-being among people of all ages with
disabilities and special health care needs. Westchester County
Department of Social Services has been one of WIHD’s longstanding
partners allowing the Institute to provide a range of services,
training and staff development activities designed to ensure
that all children live in safe and secure homes. In 2001, WIHD
was recognized as one of the ten best and most innovative programs
in the United States for its work in support of the mission
of a local child welfare department.
Note: New York
State Senator Nick Spano represents the 35th Senate District
which incorporates Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Greenburgh,
Hastings-On-Hudson, Irvington, Mount Pleasant, Sleepy Hollow,
Tarrytown, and Yonkers. He is Chair of the Senate Committee
on Investigations, Taxation, and Government Operations. For
further information, visit Senator
Nick Spano's Website, contact him at his office at 1-914
/ 969.5194, or send snail mail to Legislative Office Building,
1 Executive Boulevard, Room 509, Yonkers, NY 10701. |
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