The Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes is facing a funding cut of more than $700,000 after losing its federal Victims of Crime Act grant allocation, according to regional lawmakers and child advocates.
State Sens. Tom O'Mara and Pam Helming plan to discuss the reduction and its effect on regional child protective services during an 11 a.m. news conference Wednesday at 74 Ontario St., in the second-floor Sessions Room, in Canandaigua.
The center provides child protective services and assistance at three locations serving Ontario, Seneca and Yates counties. Local leaders said it is one of six child advocacy centers in New York that lost their full grant allocation.
The federal Victims of Crime Act Assistance Grant program was reduced by $6.9 million in 2026, a 31% cut, according to the advisory. The reduction resulted in substantial cuts for nearly half of the state's 48 child advocacy centers, the local leaders said.
Scheduled speakers include O'Mara, Helming, New York State Children's Alliance Director Theresa Roth, Finger Lakes center Director Ashley Davoli, Ontario County District Attorney Jason McBride and other county law enforcement leaders.
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