Any amount of time spent in foster care is traumatic and has lasting consequences that put kids at high risk for devastating outcomes later in life.
Rochester’s child poverty rate is the second highest in the nation for cities with 100,000 population or more, creating a harsh living environment.
Almost 40% of city families are rent-burdened, often living in substandard housing in neighborhoods without needed amenities such as grocery stores or pharmacies.
In Monroe County (and in the US as a whole) the number one reason for a child being removed to foster care is neglect due to poverty.
Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) receives an average of 7,000 child protective reports and has 400 children in foster care each year.
Cases where evidence of neglect or abuse were found was 20.8% in 2022. This means most families could have avoided humiliating family intrusion if community services were available to meet their needs.
Rochester’s child poverty rate is the second highest in the nation for cities with 100,000 population or more, creating a harsh living environment.
Almost 40% of city families are rent-burdened, often living in substandard housing in neighborhoods without needed amenities such as grocery stores or pharmacies.
In Monroe County (and in the US as a whole) the number one reason for a child being removed to foster care is neglect due to poverty.
Monroe County Department of Human Services (DHS) receives an average of 7,000 child protective reports and has 400 children in foster care each year.
Cases where evidence of neglect or abuse were found was 20.8% in 2022. This means most families could have avoided humiliating family intrusion if community services were available to meet their needs.
HOPE585 reimagines a community where children are safe, with their families, by focusing on two things: 1) Providing excellent hope-centered programs and services to system-impacted youth and families and 2) Championing/Leading advocacy efforts that empower collaborative, community-driven change.
"Reimagine" refers to the act of reconsidering or envisioning something in a new or different way. It involves the process of reshaping, rethinking, or recreating a concept, idea, system, or object with the intention of bringing about positive change, innovation, or improvement.
Our Reimagine Initiative is a community-driven response to child poverty and neglect to narrow the front door to child welfare. We aim to keep children safe with their families, and minimize unnecessary and costly CPS involvement.
Together, the community can NARROW the FRONT DOOR to Child Protective Services.
This 2-year initiative will:
Engage
policymakers
Empower people
with lived
experiences to
lead change
Hire a 2-year
Reimagine
Fellow
Host
regulate
community
design
sessions
Utilize the art of
storytelling to
center the voices
of people with
lived experiences
Together, the community can NARROW the FRONT DOOR to Child Protective Services.
This 2-year initiative will: