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.
Columns
GUEST VIEW: Support for healthy families
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HAMILTON: The SPCA and the pineapple upside-down pie
It is said that, as free Americans, we often get the things for which we ask; we also often get exactly what we deserve. Sometimes it works out to our good, and sometimes it doesn’t.
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GLYNN: Slim chance now for a real thick ice bridge
If you’re not convinced about the unpredictability of Western New York weather, consider that this area was experiencing temperatures in the mid-40s on the 100th anniversary of the ice bridge tragedy in the gorge.
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BRADBERRY: Is Black History Month Still Relevant?
I am uncomfortably recovering and slowly recuperating from a relatively minor, but medically necessary procedure which has kept me out of circulation, out of touch and essentially on my back for a lot longer than I have personally believed was justifiable; however, in this case my opinion matters not; the doctor’s diagnosis and promising prognosis trumped mine, so here I lay almost completely befuddled, nearly unable to pen a clear sentence.
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CONFER: Time to end the NFL’s blackout rule
Long ago, in a much simpler time, ticket sales accounted for the majority of revenues for professional football teams.
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CITY BEAT: Stuck on traffic
Sometimes I feel like the traffic signal reporter in Niagara Falls.
Traffic signals have been making a lot of news around here lately. There’s the whole flap about what to do to improve public safety near the Como Restaurant in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue. -
HIGGS: Discussing crime and punishment in the Falls
Have to take a detour off Pine Avenue in 1956 this week to report on an event held by the Niagara Falls Block Club Council for its member clubs and other interested citizens.
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GLYNN: Hotel Niagara plan exciting for the Falls
It all sounds like a re-run of a TV program you’ve seen a dozen times. This time, however, there is every reason to believe that the landmark Hotel Niagara on Rainbow Boulevard will be restored to the splendid atmosphere that guests enjoyed for decades.
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HAMILTON: BOE and kids, or the SPCA dogs?
There is example after example of otherwise qualified Niagara Falls’ board of education members and staffers lending their time and efforts to organizations outside of the school district’s core business.
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GLYNN: Trust in SPCA shelter must be restored
Stories about the operations at the Niagara SPCA shelter shape the image of sickening and disgusting treatment of animals.
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BRADBERRY: Old medicine and new challenges
Having suffered and recovered from my fair share of illnesses and injuries over the years, I have come to believe that sometimes the treatment and the cure of my condition can seem to be far worse than whatever I may think is ailing me at the moment.
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