CCNY, Inc. in partnership with Liftoff WNY are pleased to share, after an extensive planning process, Help Me Grow WNY’s new Strategic Framework and leadership staff.

Parent, early childhood, education, civil rights, business, and health organizations call on state to invest in strengthening child care system for infants and toddlers. “It is absolutely critical that we stabilize our child care system and support struggling parents,” said Rachel P. Bonsignore, director of Liftoff Western New York. “Child care affordability and accessibility must be given priority as we look to rebuild as a state and a region. Without adequate investment, we’ll see more child care closures, potentially permanent ones. These impacts would be devastating and threaten the well-being of our children and families and our economic recovery.”

2021 was a great year for Liftoff WNY. We fine-tuned our strategic advocacy agendas, launched Liftoff’s social media, grew our team, and established a new partnership with Help Me Grow WNY. To learn more, we invite you to read through our Year in Review 2021 below.

To better understand how the region serves its youngest residents, Liftoff and partners across Western New York engaged Public Sector Consultants to provide an outside, objective review of early childhood systems and programs in the region.

Liftoff: WNY Early Childhood Funders for Change engaged CGR to study how organizations across Western New York collaborate to improve outcomes for the region’s youngest residents. The observations provide issues and options for Liftoff to consider as it plans its next steps in promoting screenings, quality childcare and transportation for families with young children. 

While lead is potentially harmful to individuals at any age, it is especially dangerous for children under the age of six. In extreme cases, lead exposure can result in organ failure and death. The good news is that lead poisoning is  preventable and eradicating lead from our community is possible.

New York is home to more than four million children. The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy provides a look into the state’s children, who are rich in their diversity, on the basis of economic security, health, child welfare, early care and education.