Dutchess County will step in to support Family Services, Inc. after New York state announced cuts to victims' services funding, according to an announcement from County Executive Sue Serino and State Senator Rob Rolison.
Statewide, the changes to how the Office of Victims Services funds programs have reduced support by $5.2 million for rape crisis programs, $6.9 million for child abuse prevention services, and $19 million for domestic violence programming, the county said.
Family Services, Inc. faces a nearly 50% reduction in state funding—a loss of over $400,000 annually. The cuts would affect lethality assessments, client advocates, community outreach and programming, according to the announcement.
Serino said the county is identifying funding to help address the impact on the organization, while Rolison is pressing state leaders to restore the money. Serino has also led an effort through the New York State Association of Counties to have county executives urge the state governor to restore the funding.
"Our most vulnerable neighbors rely on the services that are being cut," Serino said. "The loss of this funding would undermine the important and effective work being done."