2009 Distinguished Guest Speakers
CHST 2200: Children, Government, and Public Policy in New York State — Honorable William Scarborough
Legislators, commissioners, judges and key policy makers and service providers will meet with students in our Special Topics course, Children, Government and Public Policy in New York State, taught by Assemblyman William Scarborough, chair of the Committee on Children and Families in the New York State Assembly. These lectures will provide students with a first-hand insight into the workings of the New York State governmental, judicial and social service structures that deal with children and young people. This is another groundbreaking initiative that makes Children's Studies unique in its ability to connect our students with scholarly and policy research, exposure to leading experts in different professional domains, and hands-on applications of learning to real world situations.
Scarborough has focused his efforts in the areas of education, health care, juvenile justice, the New York family court and youth services. He has funded and sponsored many education and youth programs and is the sponsor of numerous pieces of legislation that protect and support children and young people.
Sept. 14
Assembly Member Barbara M. Clark, 33rd Assembly District
A.M. Clark is a tireless, effective advocate for the needs of children, families and the elderly. She has been a leader in education reform, day care and community development. She is also the sponsor of ongoing legislation for an independent Office of the Child Advocate for New York, whose idea originated from a policy symposium held by the Children’s Studies Center in 2004.
Sept. 21
Gladys Carrión, Esq., commissioner, New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS)
The numerous responsibilities she oversees at OCFS include foster care, adoption and adoption assistance; child protective services; preventive services for children and families; child care services; and protective programs for vulnerable adults. Carrión is also responsible for directing the oversight, administration and management of specialized programs for juvenile delinquents and juvenile offenders and residential facilities for youth placed in the custody of OCFS by the family and criminal courts.
Oct. 5
Hon. Cheree A. Buggs, Esq., Civil Court judge
Judge, Civil Court of the City of New York, Queens County, 2009 to present; judge, Queens County, Family Court, appointed by Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau, 2008 to 2008; judge, Civil Court of the City of New York, Elected, 2008 to 2017
Oct. 19
John B. Mattingly, Commissioner, New York City's Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)
ACS was established in January 1996 as the first agency in New York City's history solely devoted to serving children. The agency is responsible for child protective, foster care, adoption, child care and Head Start services.
Oct. 26
C. Warren Moses, chief executive officer, Children's Aid Society
Moses was named chief executive officer of the Children's Aid Society in October 2005. He joined the agency in 1969, and prior to his appointment had been executive director of the agency, one of the nation's largest nonprofit, nonsectarian children's services providers.
Nov. 9
M. Walcott, deputy mayor for education and community development
In his capacity as deputy mayor for education and community development. Walcott oversees and coordinates the operations of the Department of Education and the Department of Youth and Community Development, as well as maintains liaison with and reviews the activities of the New York City School Construction Authority, City University of New York, City University Construction Fund and the New York City Housing Authority. Walcott is also responsible for maintaining liaison with community-based organizations citywide and coordinating policies concerning youth programs and adult education.
Nov. 16
Velmanette Montgomery, New York State Senator, District 18
Montgomery is recognized for her effective leadership and steadfast commitment to her constituents of north and central Brooklyn as well as to New Yorkers statewide. In her role as chair of the Senate Committee on Children and Families, Montgomery is committed to helping young people achieve positive outcomes through reform of the state's juvenile justice, foster care and adoptive care systems. In 2008, she authored a law that allows adopted children to claim two parents of record, even if one parent dies before the adoption is final.
Montgomery continues to be one of New York's leading proponents of school-based health care as a model system for delivering comprehensive primary and mental health services to children of all ages, in the school setting where youth spend most of their day. Her Teen Health Agenda includes legislation that requires, among other things, the teaching of age appropriate, medically accurate sexuality education in kindergarten though 12th grade.
Most recently, Montgomery's Anti-Shackling Bill was signed into law. It prohibits the inhumane practice of shackling pregnant inmates in labor during transport and delivery.
