Welcome to . . .
The Governor's Children's Cabinet

• Background
• Mission/Major Initiatives
• Cabinet Members
• Advisory Board
• Cabinet Newsletters
• Cabinet Resources

Background

The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet (referred to as Children’s Cabinet) was established by Executive Order on June 12, 2007. The Governor recognizes that to ensure the well-being and future success and development of New York State, it is essential to provide improved services to children in the areas of health, education, safety and general child welfare.

Governmental programs must collaborate to develop and implement effective, efficient and coordinated service delivery to ensure that all of New York’s children are given an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

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Mission/Major Initiatives

The mission of the Children’s Cabinet is to advise and make recommendations to the Governor on the most effective policies and programs that promote the Governor’s Birth to Five Agenda and other priorities, including but not limited to:

• implementation of universal children's health insurance;
• implementation of universal pre-kindergarten throughout New York State; and
• development of a legislative program focused on the Governor’s Birth to Five Agenda.

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Cabinet Members

The Children’s Cabinet consists of members appointed by the Governor, including the following individuals:

Chair

• Mr. Dennis Whalen
  Interim Director of State Operations, NYS Executive Chamber

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Vice-chair

• Kristin Proud
  Deputy Director of State Operations, NYS Executive Chamber

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Members

• Mr. E. Carl Andrews
  Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, NYS Executive Chamber
• The Honorable Laura Anglin
  Budget Director, NYS Division of the Budget
• Ms. Amy Barasch
  Executive Director, NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
• The Honorable Mindy Bockstein
  Chair and Executive Director, NYS Consumer Protection Board
• The Honorable Sheila M. Carey
  Executive Director, NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council
• The Honorable Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo
  Commissioner, NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
• The Honorable Gladys Carrión
  Commissioner, NYS Office of Children and Family Services
• The Honorable Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
  Secretary of State, NYS Department of State
• The Honorable Richard F. Daines, M.D.
  Commissioner, NYS Department of Health
• Ms. Judith Enck
  Deputy Secretary for the Environment, NYS Executive Chamber
• The Honorable Pete Grannis
  Commissioner, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
• The Honorable David A. Hansell
  Commissioner, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
• The Honorable Michael F. Hogan, Ph.D.
  Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Health
• The Honorable Patrick M. Hooker
  Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
• The Honorable Jane Lynch
  Chief Operating Officer, NYS Commission on Quality of Care & Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities
• The Honorable Diana Jones Ritter
  Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
• The Honorable Robert Maccarone
  Director, NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
• The Honorable Robert L. Megna
  Commissioner, NYS Department of Taxation and Finance
• The Honorable Richard P. Mills
  Commissioner, NYS Education Department
• The Honorable Denise E. O'Donnell
  Commissioner, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services
• The Honorable Patricia M. Smith
  Commissioner, NYS Department of Labor
• The Honorable Deborah VanAmerongen
  Commissioner, NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal

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Children's Cabinet Advisory Board

The Children's Cabinet Advisory Board is a small and diverse group of experts from outside New York State government that have been appointed by the Governor. Co-chaired by Karen Schimke and Geoffrey Canada, the Advisory Board is comprised of individuals who bring unique knowledge and skills in order to assist the Cabinet in implementing its goals.

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