Every Child Healthy, Safe And Prepared For Life's Challenges

In our county, one in four children has no health insurance. For additional stats, use our Westchester's Children By the Numbers DataFinder
In our county, one in four children has no health insurance. For additional stats, use our Westchester's Children By the Numbers DataFinder
In our county, one in four children has no health insurance. For additional stats, use our Westchester's Children By the Numbers DataFinder

The Voice for Westchester's Children Since 1914



WCA has remained steadfast in its mission: To improve the lives of Westchester's children by shaping policies and programs to meet their needs.

 
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Recent Data Reports

Children Zero to Six (PDF)
Disconnected Data, Disconnected Youth (PDF)
Fast Facts: Westchester's Youngest (PDF)
School Elections by School District (2012) (PDF)
Westchester: The Next Generation (PDF)


Recent Publications

NEW! Making Ends Meet (PDF)
Child Watch - The WCA Newsletter: December 2012 (PDF)
Speak Out for Youth Forum Report (PDF)
VOTE for KIDS New York Candidate Survey Responses (PDF)
2011 Annual Report (PDF)


Born Learning
WCA Partners with United Way of Westchester and Putnam

Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps parents, grandparents, and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.

Read More

Image of Kid Pins
KidPins & Kid Magnets

These hand-crafted colorful pins and magnets are a great gift idea for anyone who works with or cares about children and youth!  Each is unique, but weighs half an ounce and is 2-3" inches tall. Call 914.946.7676 x307 or e-mail wca@wca4kids.org to pick up in person.

$20 each / $5 shipping | Purchase Online

News & Updates

NEW! Documentary Screening and Discussion, "Mothers of Bedford"
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 9 AM - WIHD, Valhalla, NY

Mothering can be difficult at the best of times; imagine trying to raise your children from prison. "Mothers of Bedford" is a deeply moving account of moms in prison, parenting behind bars. Following the film, Allison Lake (WCA's Deputy Director) will moderate a panel discussing the realities of families dealing with imprisonment / re-entry and the importance of community collaboration in supporting families. The program is FREE but registration is required.

Register Online | View Flyer (PDF)


NEW! "Youth Voice & Empowerment in Shaping Public Policies and Programs"
Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 8:45 AM - Westchester County Ctr., White Plains, NY

WCA is co-sponsoring the 3rd Annual Myra Alfreds Roundtable in recognition of National Foster Care Month and Children's Mental Health Week.  The forum is FREE, but registration is required by contacting Lesli Messina (DCMH) by May 3rd at 914.995.5244 or lam8@westchestergov.com.

Register by E-mail | View Flyer (PDF)


Judging Children as Children: Raising New York's Age of Criminal Responsibility

While studies show that the neurological systems of young people are not developed until 25, New York remains one of only two states in the US that still considers only those under 17 years to be juveniles in the eyes of the law. Studies show that rates of recidivism are higher among young people treated as adults and incarcerated with adults. Help WCA "Raise the Age," by contacting Deputy Director Allison Lake.

View our Report (PDF): Dreams Deferred... Reconnecting Youth to School, Work, and Community | Other Resources


Mayors and Supervisors Action Challenge

WCA's Mayors and Supervisors Action Challenge is an off-shoot of the National League of Cities' Mayor's Action Challenge for Children and Families, which calls on leaders to set specific, measurable, locally-defined goals in the areas of: Opportunities to learn and grow; A safe neighborhood to call home; A healthy lifestyle and environment; and A financially fit family in which to thrive.

Having been endorsed by the Westchester Municipal Officials Association (WMOA), the Challenge has been met by White Plains, the Town of Pelham, Peekskill, New Rochelle, Harrison, Yonkers, South Salem, the Town of Greenburgh, Mt. Vernon, and Cortlandt Manor.  Will your town be next?

Sign on (PDF) | More information (PDF) | WMOA Endorsement (PDF)


Spring Advocacy Dinner
Wednesday, April 24, 2013 - Tappan Hill, Tarrytown, NY

 Genevieve Piturro, Founder and Executive Director of the Pajama Program, has significantly raised awareness about children in need, even in affluent areas, and has dramatically helped correct the widely held misperception that children in wealthy vicinities like Westchester have no problems or unmet needs. Her hard work has unquestionably benefitted the many children in Westchester for whom WCA speaks, as well as so many others around the country.


 Health Care Reform for Children and Families: What's Next for New York

In February 2013, WCA partnered with Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy in Albany, NY to present "Health Care Reform for Children and Families: What's Next for New York".  View slides from the presentation below.

ACA Issues for Children and Families (PDF) | Implementation of the ACA (PDF)


Video - Second Chances: Connecting Youth to School, Work & Community

This video is part of WCA’s Connecting Youth Project, which seeks to understand the causes and remedies for the plight of “disconnected youth,” young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not in school, not employed, and not productively engaged in developmentally appropriate activities.

Watch Video (YouTube)