July 11, 2018 -- Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Department of Social Services (DSS) are proud to announce that the “BraveVoices: Helping Westchester’s Youth Thrive” Program has been selected to receive a $40,000 grant. The award money is funded through Help for Children, (HFC) and the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP). The grant will help strengthen the staff, organization and financial capacities of the “Bravehearts,” a non-profit group and partner of DSS, made up of more than 200 current and former Westchester County foster children.

Latimer said: “Growing up in the foster care system isn’t always easy. These ‘Bravehearts’ have improved the lives of foster children by sharing what helped them while they were in foster care, and they are inspiring young people in the foster care system to live lives of purpose and self-sufficiency.”

DSS Commissioner Kevin McGuire said: “This is good news for a number of reasons. Not only does this additional funding support the Bravehearts, but it reinforces our commitment to research-based evidence in improving the lives of vulnerable children and their families. These programs have helped to put us on the cutting-edge in the practice of Social Work.”

The “Bravehearts” were recently selected for the prestigious Child Welfare League of America’s Blueprint Champion for Excellence Award, receiving national honors at the Child Welfare League of America Conference in Washington, DC.