Coalition for Latino Families

The death of 7 year old Nixzmary Brown, allegedly beaten to death by her stepfather just two months ago, shocked the public conscience and highlighted the need to reform child welfare policies in New York City. For many years Latino service providers have been demanding child welfare reform and the expansion of culturally competent, family support services -- in almost every instance -- our requests have been ignored, but no longer! Latino service providers, community leaders, and allies have joined together to create the Coalition for Latino Families (CLF). The mission of CLF is to preserve and strengthen Latino families by significantly enhancing the availability of culturally competent, family support services throughout New York City. CLF is a policy advocacy initiative of The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc. CLF believes that Latino service providers can play a critical role in preventing child abuse and neglect by providing culturally competent, intensive family support services, and creating neighborhood-based safety nets.

Latino children comprise 35% of the child abuse and neglect cases, however the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) funds only four Latino organizations to address the overwhelming need. ACS funding for Latino organizations providing preventive services is only a fraction of what is needed. In fact, Latino organizations receive only 6.3% of the total funding available for preventive services. The Coalition for Latino Families is calling upon ACS to:

• Hire additional bilingual staff and enhance cultural competency training for all ACS workers.
  
  
• Increase funding to expand the number of Latino nonprofits providing family support services.
  
  
• Prioritize the expansion of family support services in high need Latino neighborhoods.
  
  
• Fund rapid response, intensive family support service programs.
  
  
• Launch a capacity building initiative to strengthen Latino organizations providing family support services.
  
  
• Broaden and improve mechanisms for accessing ongoing community input in the design and delivery of services.

Members of the Coalition for Latino Families include: Alianza Dominicana, Children's Defense Fund, Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, ASPIRA of New York, Council on Adoptable Children, Dominican Women's Development Center, Hispanic Federation, Inwood House, and Puerto Rican Family Institute.

Read the Complete Policy Statement *

*Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc.
110 William Street, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10038
T: (212) 206-1090; F: (212) 206-8093; chcfinc@chcfinc.org
© 2000 The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc All rights reserved
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