Officials Team Up to Fight Victims’ Services Cuts

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced that Dutchess County will step up to support Family Services, Inc. in the wake of pending State funding reductions for victims’ services. The County Executive is working together with State Senator Rob Rolison to ensure critical services remain available for victims and survivors in Dutchess County.

Across New York State, changes in how programs are funded by the Office of Victims Services (OVS) have caused unprecedented instability for providers. Statewide reductions total $5.2 million for rape crisis programs, $6.9 million for child abuse prevention services, and $19 million in domestic violence programming.

In Dutchess County, this State funding uncertainty is impacting local non-profits, including a nearly 50% reduction in OVS funding to Family Services, Inc., with a hit of over $400,000 annually. These potential cuts would be devastating to services, gutting funding for lethality assessments, client advocates, community outreach and programming.

Immediately upon learning of the funding reductions, County Executive Serino and Senator Rolison began working together to identify the potential impact on local providers and explore ways to protect services in Dutchess County.

“Our most vulnerable neighbors rely on the services that are being cut,” said County Executive Sue Serino. “In Dutchess County, we have built a strong network of victims’ services, and the loss of this funding would undermine the important and effective work being done. My hope is that New York State will reassess its priorities and fully fund these programs. I thank Senator Rolison for his advocacy on this issue and for continuing to pressure New York State to do the right thing.”

Building on their longstanding partnership serving Dutchess County residents, Serino is working at the county level to identify funding necessary to help address the impact to Family Services, Inc., while Rolison is pressing state leaders to immediately restore the funding. Serino has also spearheaded an effort through the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) to send a letter to the Governor from County Executives across New York State advocating for the restoration of this critical funding.

“These cuts are unacceptable,” said Senator Rob Rolison, who serves as the Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee. “You don’t balance a budget on the backs of victims—and you don’t pull the rug out from under the organizations they depend on. I applaud County Executive Serino for her leadership and call on counties across the state to follow Dutchess County’s lead. I will continue to advocate for victims at the state level, Governor Hochul must immediately restore this funding.”

Residents are encouraged to contact their state representatives to advocate for the restoration of this critical funding.