WHAT: OCFS Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden will present an overview of the New York State 2025-26 Enacted Budget to a gathering of community leaders in Monroe County. The budget represents a significant commitment by Governor Kathy Hochul to strengthening supports and services for New York State’s children, families and communities – including child care services, child advocacy centers and youth development programing.

WHEN: Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 10-11 a.m.

WHERE: The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, The Skalny Building,

1 Mount Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620

DETAILS: OCFS Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden will discuss the highlights of the recently enacted state budget and how services supporting children, families and communities will impact Monroe County residents. Topics include the $400 million increase in state funding to preserve access to child care assistance for eligible families, the $110 million initiative to build or renovate child care facilities, and $14.4 million to support child advocacy centers across New York State.

Important media planning details below: 

• The event is being co-hosted by The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester and The Children’s Agenda.

• Media interested in attending must RSVP to press@ocfs.ny.gov. Please provide the name of the individual representing your outlet so media members can receive proper clearances prior to arrival.

• The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester is a trauma-informed agency.  Media members are asked to enter at the lower level of the CAC to avoid children and families seeing cameras. The lower-level stairway is to the right of the bridge, as you approach the main entrance of The CAC. A team member from the CAC will be on-site at the lower-level entrance to meet media members.

About the New York State Office of Children and Family Services:

The Office of Children and Family Services serves New York's public by promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of children, families and communities. The agency provides a system of family support, juvenile justice, youth development, child care and child welfare services and is responsible for programs and services involving foster care, adoption and adoption assistance, child protective services, preventive services for children and families, and protective programs for vulnerable adults.