WHO WE ARE
Our Vision
Schuyler Center is a statewide, nonprofit, policy analysis and advocacy organization working to shape policies to improve health, welfare, and human services for all New Yorkers, especially children and families experiencing poverty.
We believe in a future in which every child across New York State thrives, and every family has the resources they need—and we advocate for policy solutions to make that future possible.
How it Started
Our work acknowledges the historic racism woven throughout shared systems, and we advance public policies that address systemic inequities.
In 1872, Louisa Lee Schuyler, great granddaughter of both Alexander Hamilton and Phillip Schuyler, founded the State Charities Aid Association (SCAA).
Louisa was a staunch advocate for laws requiring better conditions in state-run “poor houses,” and greater government accountability. SCAA’s early achievements include founding a committee to secure better state treatment of children living in poverty, leading public health advocacy to fight the tuberculosis epidemic, establishing a training school for nurses, and advocating for better conditions in tenement houses.
The original SCAA later became the State Communities Aid Association, and in 2000 was renamed the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, in honor of its founder.
Our Partners
We believe in the power of collaboration—with other advocates and organizations, community members, and government leaders.
Schuyler Center houses and plays a leadership role in these campaigns:
The Empire State Campaign for Child Care is the statewide campaign for universal child care. Campaign members include parents, child care educators, and advocates. Learn more at empirestatechildcare.org
Medicaid Matters New York is the only statewide coalition dedicated to advancing the interests of Medicaid consumers. Learn more at Medicaidmattersny.org
The New York Can End Child Poverty coalition is a diverse group of organizations from across the state, dedicated to solving child poverty through policies that uplift all families. Learn more at newyorkcan.org.
Message from the
Chair
Dear Friends,
Everyone says they love children, except for maybe a few crusty curmudgeons and W.C. Fields.
But if that’s true, why is it that we at the Schuyler Center have such a tough time getting government leaders to support families? It takes strong and persistent advocacy for policies that help parents to provide the nurturing environment needed to raise physically and emotionally healthy kids.
Reliable quality child care, emotional and financial support for young parents and their infants, access to oral health care, and health insurance for children all sound like things that even those curmudgeons would support. But it is no easy task to get these things accomplished.
The 2024 Schuyler Center Impact Report illustrates our organization’s deep commitment to pursuing public policies that support child wellbeing.
It takes long range vision to see the clear connections between public policies, government budgets, and the everyday lives of children and families. As you will see in these pages, good public
Thank You
Message from the President and CEO
Dear Friends,
Thank you for being here for Schuyler Center and for New York’s children and families.
As you know, our political climate shifts daily, yet our mission remains clear: to create a New York State with strong families, thriving children, and vibrant communities.
The fight for a stronger and more resilient New York requires the commitment and support of people who believe in a better future, just as it has since 1872, when Louisa Lee Schuyler gathered friends and allies to establish the State Charities’ Aid Association.
Together, we have fought for systemic change that will uplift generations to come: a stronger child tax credit, accessible child care, child welfare system reforms, and robust health coverage for mothers and babies.
policy makes a big difference in the lives of children, and Schuyler Center is leading that conversation in New York State.
We need your help to continue this work. For over 152 years, our founders, board members, and supporters have given their time and treasure to make sure we succeed in building a brighter future for New York and the families that live here.
Please join us by making a financial contribution and encourage your friends to subscribe to our email list or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. Every level of support is essential for achieving meaningful change.
Together, we can ensure that New York State is the best place for families of all kinds to raise a child.
Paul Kaye, M.D., Chair
With you, we are focused on ensuring that people with lived experience have a seat and a voice at policy tables on child care, economic security, and the child welfare system, and that they are supported in that work.
We know that investment and improvements in key policy areas can transform lives and eliminate barriers to wellbeing—today, and for decades to come.
From Erie County to Queens, a New York State that invests in families is worth fighting for. Thank you for believing in the work that will make that future possible.
Kate Breslin , President and CEO
OUR WORK
We Are Fierce Advocates
We dream big, with attention to the details, and a deep belief in the power of collaboration.
• We analyze the data.
• We listen to and center the experiences of people impacted by policies.
• We fight for policies that uplift children and families—and we keep going until those policies are adopted and implemented.
• We are a trusted partner and leader.
Community Conversations: Elevating the Voices of Families Directly Impacted by Poverty
In 2023, Schuyler Center embarked on a series of community conversations across New York State. Working with our partners, the conversations are an opportunity to elevate the experiences of families navigating poverty.
Meaningful, effective policy change will only be possible with insight and direction from people who have experienced poverty —and the accompanying public systems—firsthand.
• Rochester, NY: Community Town Hall, October 2023
• Schenectady County: Food and Poverty Speak Out, May 2024
• St. Lawrence County: Community Listening Sessions, June & October 2024
At Schuyler Center, we know that thoughtful public policy and effective implementation can transform inequitable systems. We are steadfast advocates for the policies that bring New York closer to a bright future for every family.
Illustration created live by artist Julia Durgee during the Schenectady County event
Celebrating 2024’s Policy Wins for New York’s Children:
Reducing Child Poverty
Child tax credits are one of the most powerful child poverty solutions and strengthening the Empire State Child Credit is among Schuyler Center’s chief policy priorities. In 2024, the Empire State Child Credit included children under age four for the first time; SCAA led the fight to include young children. The 2024-25 state budget included a onetime supplemental payment of the Empire State Child Credit , received by families across the state in August, just in time for back-to-school expenses.
The budget also included Governor Hochul’s initiative to provide $50 million in one-time funds to combat child poverty in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
The Road to Universal Child Care
As a leader of the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, Schuyler Center advocated alongside child care providers, families, and advocates for three key pieces of legislation that were passed with bipartisan and nearunanimous support:
Statewide presumptive eligibility will allow families in need of child care assistance to access it immediately, rather than having to wait weeks for paperwork to be processed.
Eliminating the minimum earnings requirement will end New York’s unfair practice of denying child care assistance to parents whose earnings are on average less than minimum wage.
Holding the State Accountable: The Child Poverty Reduction Act
The Child Poverty Reduction Act, legislation spearheaded by Schuyler Center, was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2021. The law commits New York to cutting child poverty in half — with attention to racial equity— over 11 years.
Schuyler Center is committed to holding the state accountable to its child poverty reduction goal. Achieving that goal will require the implementation of bold policy solutions that build incrementally over time, and there is no time to waste. With the establishment of the New York Can End Child Poverty campaign, we are working with advocates, community members, and partners to maintain progress and momentum toward solving New York’s child poverty problem.
Decoupling will end New York’s practice of tying child care assistance to the exact hours a parent works, which will create more stability for children, caregivers, and families, and will increase access for parents who work part-time and fluctuating work hours.
Prioritizing Child and Family Health
A promise of continuous and robust health care coverage for the youngest New Yorkers, from birth to age six, became reality in 2024. Continuous Medicaid coverage from birth for young children who qualify has been among Schuyler Center’s top policy goals. It will mean greater health equity, improved child and family health, and reduced cost and stress for families.
A bill to permit Topical Fluoride Varnish application by dental assistants and licensed practical nurses was passed by both houses. Improving access to oral health care for New York’s children has long been a Schuyler Center priority. This bill advances that goal: applying fluoride varnish to the teeth of young children is proven to reduce dental disease, but too few children in New York receive treatments.
Transforming Child Welfare
The Safe Landings Act , passed by both houses, aims to protect and ensure support for youth exiting foster care by authorizing the Family Court to enforce orders on behalf of children after they are discharged from, or age out of, foster care.
The State of New York’s Children
Since 2017, Schuyler Center has published the State of New York’s Children Data Book annually. The report is a data snapshot of the wellbeing of New York’s children and families, and the challenges families are facing. We are committed to understanding and sharing data disaggregated by race and ethnicity as we seek policy solutions to reduce disparities.
Good data is imperative to identifying the right policy solutions. The data and policy recommendations in the report are used by legislators, policymakers, advocates, and agency officials in developing policy and legislation.
Financial Results
Stand With Us: Help New York’s Children Thrive
Your contribution is a commitment to a New York State where all children have the chance to thrive. With your support, Schuyler Center is able to carry out our mission as we advocate for poverty-fighting public policy that uplifts New York’s families.
Ways to Give
Visit www.scaany.org/donate/ to make your gift, or scan this QR code using your phone’s camera:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO SCHUYLER CENTER
July 2023 – October 2024
Individuals:
Anonymous +
Anne Aber
David Andreine
Alicia Beekman
Jennifer Benaman
Kalpana Bhandarkar
Jackie Boissonnault
Deanne Braveman
Frederic Buse
Jim Caron
Sharon Chesna
Kerry Conley
Lura Correia
Patrick and Nicole Correia
Council Services Plus
Cathy Duke and Paul Kaye, M.D.
Betty Devine
Sahar Elezabi, M.D.
Patricia Estess
Terence Farrell
Robert Frawley
Dana Friedman
Patrick Furlong
Laurie Garramone
William Gettman
Herbert Gordon
Cynthia Green, Ph.D.
David Harris, M.D.
Lara Kassel
Jessica Klos
Christine Lemperle
James Lytle
Kevin McAvey
Suzanne Miller
Marjorie Momplaisir-Ellis
Ann Monroe
Pete Nabozny
Peter Newell
Jenn O’Connor
Michelle Ostrelich
Elizabeth Palley, Ph.D.
Kevin Peng
Robert Plattner & Lauri Rosmarin Plattner
Davin Robinson
Katherine Rooney
Jean Ross
John Rugge M.D.
Neil Rubin
Reinhold Samson
Phill Sexton
Laurie Shanks
Laura Jean Shipley, M.D.
David Shippee
Estelle Sitzer
Louise Skolnik, D.S.W.
Helen Smith
Ann Marie Suarato
Lauren Tobias
Carole Tozzi
F. Michael Tucker
Ronald Uba
Olivia Xiaoyu Wang, Ph.D.
Jennifer Wohl
Funders: Carequest
Charles S. Keene Foundation
Gladys A Bishop Memorial Fund
Health Foundation for Western & Central
New York
HealthEfficient
IDEO.org
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
New York Health Foundation
NY Funders Alliance
Redlich Horwitz Foundation
Robin Hood Foundation
The Alliance for Early Success
The Children’s Agenda
The Education Trust New York
The New York Community Trust
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
Medicaid Matters NY Supporters
Individuals:
Lori Andrade
Rebecca Antar
Deborah Bachrach
Charles Bell
Valerie Bogart
Deanne Braveman
Courtney Burke
Laura Caruso
Sean Doolan
Kathleen Downes
James Edmondson
Belkys Garcia
Avital Havusha
Ronda Kotelchuck
Mara Kuns
Katherine Lobach Laufman
Phyllis Lusskin
Gail Myers
Gwen O’Shea
Lillian Ringel
Trina Rose
Lisa Sbrana
Ann Marie Selfridge
Kinda Serafi
Chad Shearer
David Silva
Phyllis Silver
Kimberleigh Joy Smith
Denise Soffel
Joseph Telano
Rebecca Wallach
Bobby Watts
Carolyn Wember
Judy Wessler
Organizations:
Bleeding Disorders Advocacy Network Inc.
Brown & Weinraub, PLLC
Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, Inc.
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Center for Elder Law and Justice, Inc.
Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY
CHCANYS
Community Health Care Association of NYS (CHCANYS)
Community Service Society of NY
Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association
Empire Justice Center
Family Health Centers at NYU Langone
Family Health Centers LI FQHC
Health & Welfare Council of Long Island
Health People, Inc.
Hemophilia Association of New York
Housing Works
Independence Care Systems
Jewish Association for Services for the Aged
Long Island Center for Independent Living, Inc.
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Medicare Rights Center
Metro New York Health Care for All New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation
New York Association on Independent Living
New York Legal Assistance Group
New York Self-Determination Coalition
New York State Adult Day Services Association, Inc.
New York State Bleeding Disorders Coalition
New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council, Inc.
NYC Family Advocacy and Information Resource
Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts
Primary Care Development Corporation
Southern Tier Independence Center
SOYAN
Schuyler Center Board of Trustees
Paul J. Kaye, M.D., Chair
Ronald F. Uba, Vice Chair
James Caron, Treasurer
Louise Skolnik, D.S.W., Secretary
David Andreine
Kalpana Bhandarkar
Sahar Elezabi, M.D.
Cynthia B. Green, Ph.D.
David Harris, M.D.
Phyllis Lusskin
James W. Lytle
Kevin McAvey
Edward McCormick
Marjorie Momplaisir-Ellis
Elizabeth Palley, Ph.D.
Robert Plattner
Rahul Rekhi
Neil Rubin
Reinhold W. Samson
Laurie Shanks
Laura Jean Shipley, M.D.
Olivia X. Wang, Ph.D.
Staff
Kate Breslin, President and CEO
Hannah Berkel, Communications Associate
Crystal Charles, Senior Policy Analyst
Rebekah Desjardins, Administrative Assistant
Nicole Correia, Director of Communications
James Farrell, Operations Manager
Dede Hill, Director of Policy
Adanech Makey, Policy and Community Engagement Specialist
Lea Montalto-Rook, Director of Administration
Kevin Peng, Senior Policy and Data Analyst
Kari Siddiqui, Project Director
Carole Tozzi, Administrative Associate
Bridget Walsh, Senior Policy Analyst
Shoshana Hershkowitz, Campaign Manager
Empire State Campaign for Child Care
Lara Kassel, Coordinator
Medicaid Matters New York
www.scaany.org