|
|||||
NewsLawmakers must help end child abuse, neglectEditorialAlbany, NY Times Union March 21, 2007 Your editorial "Saving kids" (March 10) was right on the mark. As North Greenbush police chief, one of the most troubling parts of my job is the number of kids I encounter who come out of chaotic, dysfunctional and abusive homes. Responding to a child abuse report is something all of us in law enforcement dread. It is heartbreaking to see the appalling circumstances that these kids live in, but what is especially distressing is that we know it doesn't have to be this way. Often the parents of these kids are teaching what they learned from their parents. And this cycle will be repeated again in the next generation and each generation that follows until we act decisively to break it. Fortunately, in-home parent coaching programs have been proven to prevent child abuse and neglect and reduce later crime and violence. Home visitation not only helps families, but it also saves us all money in the long run through reduced crime and social service costs. This is why the more than 300 law enforcement leaders and crime survivors from all over New York state who are members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids are calling for increased funding at both the state and federal levels for programs such as the Nurse-Family Partnership Program and Healthy Families New York. These programs have proven they work. I hope every state legislator and member of Congress will read your editorial and join the effort to end the scourge of child abuse and neglect. ROCCO M. FRAGOMENI Chief of Police North Greenbush Police Department |
   |
||||
© 2008 Evidence-Based Associates