Montefiore Medical Center - J.E. and Z.B. Butler Child Advocacy Center

What is it?

As the only fully certified hospital-based child advocacy center in the New York Metro area, the Butler Center helps children who have been abused or neglected and provides emergency medical treatment and psychosocial evaluations for 1,000 children each year. The Center also provides programs for at-risk families to prevent abuse or neglect before it occurs and mental health services for children and their families. Personal safety classes are taught to elementary school students, and supportive instruction is provided to teachers, parent associations and counselors.

The Center has strong relationships in the community, and the staff is active on task forces, boards and advocacy groups in the region, nationally and internationally. The Center’s staff regularly provides expertise to hundreds of law enforcement officials, legal professionals and public health and government agencies each year. Staff members frequently testify in family and criminal courts to protect children. All services are free of charge to families.

Who is it for?

Children and families in the Bronx and the surrounding areas.

Why do they do it?

The program is designed to improve the health and quality of life for Bronx residents, particularly children. More than 40 percent of children in the Bronx live in families whose income is below the federal poverty level. The local child hospitalization rate is nearly double the national rate. Through innovative programs, Montefiore Medical Center works to meet not only the medical needs of the underserved but their social, economic and environmental needs as well.

Contact: Karel R. Amaranth, MA
Executive Director
Telephone: 718-920-6429
E-mail: kamarant@montefiore.org