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State Communities Aid Association $35,000
Albany, New York
Karen Schimke, Executive Director
In recent years, State Communities Aid Association has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts to
reform state policies that affect the economic security of poor New Yorkers. SCAA has focused particular
attention on improving child support enforcement, reducing the tax burden on low wage
earners, and shaping welfare reform initiatives, all aimed at reducing New Yorkers' dependence on
public assistance while preserving essential safety net benefits. In 1994, SCAA's efforts resulted in
the enactment of a New York State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Last year, SCAA published a
report that advocated replacing court enforcement of child support orders with an agency-administered
system and instituting various procedures to identify and obtain support from non-custodial parents.
Several of these recommendations were enacted and project staff will now monitor their implementation.
In addition, project staff will conduct policy analysis, advocacy, and public education to promote
expansion of the state EITC and other reforms in low income tax policy, public assistance programs,
and child support enforcement. Our grant supports this work.
State Communities Aid Association $30,000
Albany, New York
Karen Schimke, Executive Director
Founded in 1872, State Communities Aid Association currently conducts policy analysis and advocacy
focused on health and mental health care, children's services, and economic security for
disadvantaged New Yorkers. Over the past four years, SCAA has developed and promoted an agenda
for reform of children's services in New York State emphasizing inter-agency coordination of
community-based services and education for young people with psychosocial, cognitive, or family
problems. With our support, SCAA will continue to advocate in support of regulatory and financing
strategies that redirect funds away from segregated special education classrooms and residential programs
into home, school, and community-based support services. As part of this effort, project staff
will press State policymakers and health maintenance organizations to expand coverage for children's
mental health services for participants in Medicaid managed care plans. Staff will highlight the effectiveness
of school-based mental health programs and recommend ways to preserve and expand these
programs in the context of managed care and special education reform.