Family opportunity centers will receive $12 million in state funding in order to boost community and school-based programs meant to strengthen families and curtail child abuse and neglect, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office on Monday announced. 

The money, which will be spread over more than a dozen counties in New York state, is part of a broader joint effort between the state Office of Children and Family Services and the State Education Department. 

"Families are in need of community-based services that support parents and caregivers in raising healthy and happy children and reduce the stress that often leads to a decrease in the entire family's well-being," Hochul said. "I am proud to fund family opportunity centers, which are proven programs that support diverse families across New York State, and we will continue to take concrete actions to support families and help reduce child abuse and neglect, strengthen family stability, and enhance child development."   

Federal pandemic relief funds are helping fuel the programs, which are meant to eliminate bureaucratic barriers to help better coordinate services for families. The programs are meant to provide a range of services, including mental health, well-being for kids, conneting to substance abuse disorder services and helping kids succeed in school in order to reduce risk factors of child abuse or mistreatment. 

"Research shows that the existence of family resource centers in a community contributed to a 45% reduction in cases of child abuse and neglect," said Sheila Poole, the commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services. "Investing in prevention can also reduce the need for more costly intervention services down the road resulting from abuse and maltreatment. As the number of adverse childhood experiences increase, the risk for numerous long-term health problems increases significantly. We are very pleased to offer these family opportunity centers."