New York's top child-services official will keynote an Oct. 20 breakfast in Harrison aimed at connecting the agencies and programs that serve Westchester's children.
Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, commissioner of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), will deliver the Kathryn Wasserman Davis Child Advocacy Lecture at the Westchester Children's Association's (WCA) 20th Annual Advocacy Breakfast. The event runs Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Harrison Meadows Country Club, 123 North St.
Tickets cost $75 per person. Registration is open at wca4kids.org.
The breakfast's theme is "Beyond the Silo: Building Connected Systems for Every Child." WCA Executive Director Adam Rabinovitch said the event brings together parents, educators, government officials and community members each fall to address a pressing issue facing children.
"This year, as we celebrate our 20th advocacy breakfast, we are focusing on breaking down institutional silos to create a more unified support network for our youth," Rabinovitch said, according to the Yonkers Times.
Attendees will hear about ways to participate in what Rabinovitch called "meaningful, systemic change" for children and youth across the county.
WCA's own research points to persistent need. The organization's 2026 Mental Health Fact Sheet found rising youth anxiety, depression and behavioral needs in Westchester, along with gaps in care and school supports. A separate WCA data bulletin found that nearly one-quarter of children and youth ages 0 to 24 in the county are considered low-income.
Black, Hispanic and multiracial children experience poverty rates of roughly 15% to 26%, while the rate for white, non-Hispanic children remains below 10%, according to the bulletin.
WCA, founded in 1914, describes itself as the only independent child advocacy organization in Westchester County. WMC Health Maria Ferrari Children's Hospital and Hudson Valley Credit Union are sponsoring the Oct. 20 event.
Coming up in the community:
- Tuesday, Oct. 20: WCA 20th Annual Advocacy Breakfast, 8 a.m., Harrison Meadows Country Club, 123 North St., Harrison. Tickets: $75 at wca4kids.org.
