OCFS Agency Newsletter

Dear colleagues,

It is with great excitement and privilege that I conclude the first couple of weeks as the Acting Commissioner of OCFS. On the heels of the FY 2025 state budget approval, which evidences the continued commitment to improving the lives of New Yorkers, I am fortunate to witness the efforts of making child care more affordable, accessible and equitable statewide. This dynamic agency is hard at work, championing the well-being of the children and families.

Throughout the month of May, OCFS will celebrate Early Childhood Educator and Child Care Provider Appreciation Week and National Foster Care Month.

We will work to spread awareness of the need for more volunteers to serve as foster parents as well as express our heartfelt appreciation for the families who have selflessly opened their homes and their hearts to children in need of temporary care outside of their home. We will mark the month with a very special event on May 7 in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which is once again offering free Empire park passes to eligible foster families. Our event will take place at the visitor center in beautiful Thacher State Park to offer the families a sample of the recreational opportunities that will be available to them with the Empire Pass. We will also hear a testimonial about foster care from social media influencer Charell Star, who will share her personal story.

That same week is Early Childhood Educator and Child Care Provider Appreciation Week when we will honor those who contribute so much to the development of our youngest children while enabling parents to work or attend educational or vocational programs. The week will culminate on May 10 with a proclamation from the Honorable Governor Kathy Hochul. In a grand gesture of recognition and respect, state landmarks and buildings will be illuminated in the primary colors of red and blue that evening.

It is with a profound sense of solemnity that we will also recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Awareness Week – a reminder that we must advocate by using our voices to speak out for those who have been silenced. MMIP Week is dedicated to raising awareness of the thousands of Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit individuals, and people who have gone missing or have been murdered in the United States. On May 6, we are encouraged to wear red as a symbol of visibility. A gesture of wearing red makes a powerful statement of solidarity and remembrance for those who have disappeared or been murdered.

By working together, I am confident we can make a significant difference on all these issues – with our collective efforts, shared passion, and unwavering commitment to our mission. The diverse breadth of knowledge that we all contribute will afford us the opportunity to reach greater heights. As we advance OCFS’s mission, I want to express my gratitude to the members of the OCFS team, the dedicated advocates, and key stakeholders who support the children, families and communities we serve.

Be well,

Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, MBA, M.S.
Acting Commissioner