POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino and State Senator Rob Rolison are seeking to preserve victims’ services in the county amid pending reductions in state funding for programs supported by the Office of Victim Services.
The funding changes have created uncertainty for service providers across New York, according to county officials. Statewide reductions include $5.2 million for rape crisis programs, $6.9 million for child abuse prevention services and $19 million for domestic violence programs.
In Dutchess County, Family Services Inc. is facing a nearly 50% reduction in OVS funding, representing more than $400,000 annually, according to county officials.
The potential reduction could affect services including lethality assessments, client advocacy, community outreach and other programs for victims and survivors.
Serino and Rolison began working together after learning of the proposed reductions to assess their potential impact on local service providers and identify options for maintaining services.
“Our most vulnerable neighbors rely on the services that are being cut,” Serino said. “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.”
Serino said the county is exploring funding options to help offset the impact on Family Services. She also has worked through the New York State Association of Counties to organize a letter from county executives across the state calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration to restore the funding.
Rolison, who chairs the state Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee, is urging state officials to restore the funding.
“These cuts are unacceptable,” Rolison said. “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.”
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