Corning, N.Y., August 20—Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats)and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) were joined today by Theresa Roth, Director of NYS Children’s Alliance, Inc., Ashley Davoli, Director of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of the Finger Lakes, Sara Gray, Director of the Chemung/Schuyler CAC, Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker, Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey, and other regional leaders at a news conference to highlight concerns over funding cuts for CACs across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions and throughout New York State, and to call on New York Governor Kathy Hochul to restore funding to ensure the continued operation of CACs regionally and statewide.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “It's unthinkable that Governor Hochul has failed to provide the funding needed to ensure that Child Advocacy Centers across the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions, and throughout New York State, can continue providing their essential services. These Centers are absolute lifelines for child crime victims and families they serve and provide critical support to deal with the trauma and assist in criminal prosecutions of the offenders. Under Governor Hochul's watch, the New York State budget has skyrocketed. State spending increased by more than $23 billion in this year's state budget alone. In addition, the state's tax revenue is exceeding anticipated receipts by more than $3 billion in the current year. We can't prioritize funding for child victims of sex crimes? We put them at risk and further traumatize them? Risk that will assuredly lead to many of these crimes being dismissed. It makes no sense, it's inexcusable, and Governor Hochul should immediately restore whatever funding is necessary. It's not a matter of a lack of money. It's a matter of lack of priorities.”

Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (R,C-Canisteo) said, “Governor Hochul’s decision to cut funding for child advocacy centers is an unconscionable, shameful decision that harms the most vulnerable among us, children who are victims of child abuse. New York State has a $277 billion budget, more than a quarter of a trillion dollars. Yet, with all that spending, the governor and the Office of Victim Services chose to cut $6.9 million for CAC’s that provide services and counseling to abused children and gather evidence to hold offender accountable. We spend too much in New York State, but not enough taking care of our most vulnerable citizens. I join Senator O’Mara, Assemblyman Palmesano, and all my colleagues in calling for this funding to be restored.”

Yesterday in Canandaigua, O’Mara joined his Finger Lakes colleague, Senator Pam Helming, together with a group of regional child advocates and law enforcement, to sound the alarm on the cuts. 

Senator Helming said, “When Ashley told me that the Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes had been awarded zero dollars, I honestly thought there had to be a mistake. These are our most vulnerable New Yorkers—our children—and Child Advocacy Centers help them heal while helping law enforcement hold offenders accountable. In a state budget approaching $280 billion, there is no excuse for failing to restore this $6.9 million in funding and make these centers whole. When a child reaches out for help, New York’s answer cannot be zero.”

O’Mara praised Helming’s leadership and at a news conference this morning at the Southeast Steuben County Library Community Room in Corning, he and Palmesano renewed the call together with Child Advocacy Center representatives, local law enforcement leaders and prosecutors for Hochul and the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVA) to restore the approximately $6.9 million in funding cut from Child Advocacy Centers across the state. They said that if the cuts aren’t restored by October 1, programs and services will stop operating locally and throughout the state.

The group noted that Child Advocacy Centers are primarily funded by the state through grants provided by the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). The pending cuts completely eliminate funding for six centers, including Steuben County CAC and the CAC of the Finger Lakes, which provides child protective services and assistance at three locations in Ontario, Seneca, and Yates counties. Funding for the Chemung/Schuyler CAC was significantly cut and will result in the elimination of services in Schuyler County. Overall, the Finger Lakes region stands to lose more than $1.49 million.

The Hochul administration cites an unprecedented response to the funding opportunity and a competitive process involving applicant scores and rankings as the reason for the cuts to existing Centers that have long relied on the funding to continue operating.  O’Mara, Palmesano, Sempolinski, and other state lawmakers have strongly criticized the governor’s decision to go forward with cuts to CACs that have traditionally received funding.

According to the New York State Children’s Alliance, VOCA funding represents more than half of the operating budget at 36% of CACs. At another 40% of centers, it accounts for between 25% and 45% of their budgets.

Theresa Roth, Executive Director, NYS Children's Alliance, Inc., said, "Nearly $7 million in cuts to Child Advocacy Centers will have a very real impact on kids and families across New York. When a child has experienced abuse, they should never be the one to pay the price for an unstable funding system. We owe it to every child to make sure the support they need to feel safe and begin to heal is there when they need it. That's why we are asking Governor Hochul to provide immediate fiscal relief to the CACs facing these cuts and to work with us on a long-term strategy that creates real funding stability for victim services across New York."

Ashley Davoli, Director of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of the Finger Lakes, said, “This funding decision is not simply a line in a state budget—it threatens the coordinated system our communities rely on to protect children, support families and hold offenders accountable. Each year, the Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes serves hundreds of child victims across Ontario, Seneca and Yates counties. Our funding may end on September 30, but sadly child abuse will not end on October 1. We urgently call on Governor Hochul and the Office of Victim Services to restore this funding before critical services are lost. New York must not wait until this system is dismantled to recognize its value to the children, families and communities we serve.”

Child Advocacy Centers provide a child-friendly setting where specially trained professionals conduct forensic interviews involving allegations of child abuse. They also connect children and non-offending caregivers with medical services, counseling, crisis intervention and family advocacy. The centers coordinate the work of law enforcement, prosecutors, child protective services, medical providers, mental health professionals, and victim advocates. This multidisciplinary approach helps minimize additional trauma to children while strengthening investigations and helping law enforcement hold offenders accountable.