Welcome
Welcome to the web site for the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women. The Erie County CSW works to assure that the women of Erie County have full participation on the issues that have an impact on their lives.
Our goal is to connect women with the resources they need to reach their full potential. On this website you will find access to support resources available to woman throughout Erie County. Check the site often for updates, information and all upcoming events.
We invite you to become actively involved with ECCSW! If you want your voice to be heard and your concerns addressed, please send us an email at csw@erie.gov or call us at 716-858-8307. Thank you for your support.
Contact Us
Rath Building
95 Franklin St., Suite 1254
Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 858-8307
Fax: (716) 858-6191
csw@erie.gov
2011 Break the Cycle
Press Release 080111
Download brochure
www.breakthecycleofabuse.org
Facts About Women in Erie County, New York
- Women comprise 52% of Erie County's total population, 48.7 percent of its labor force, 61% of senior citizens, and 54 percent of the county’s registered voters.
- As of 2002, 27.1 % of small businesses in Erie County were women–owned.
- Median weekly earnings for women working full-time is $638.00 vs. $798.00 for men
- 29.9% of families in Buffalo live in poverty with over 63% of families having women as head of household.
- Approx. 1,000 children are born each year to mothers without a high school diploma.
- 25% of women in Erie County do not receive prenatal care and this number is increasing
- 5.4% of pregnancies are to teenage mothers in Western New York.
- In Erie County in 2008, more than 7,100 incidents of domestic violence were reported to law enforcement.
- Of the 100,000 veterans returning from service in Erie County, approx 3,000 of them are women
- Of the returning women veterans, 40% have mental health issues including depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Military Sexual Trauma.
Governor Cuomo Signs Domestic Violence Firearm Protection Legislation
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New law will bar people convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from purchasing firearms
Albany, NY (
August 1, 2011)
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a law to ensure that individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors will be barred from legally purchasing firearms.
"We have seen too often the tragic consequences of domestic violence. This new law provides further safeguards to keep firearms away from those with violent records," Governor Cuomo said. "New York state must stand strong against domestic violence by protecting victims and making sure those convicted of such crimes cannot inflict further damage. I thank the sponsors, Senator Saland and Assemblywoman Paulin, for their hard work on this important legislation."
Federal law forbids the sale of a firearm to individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. However, differences between New York state and federal domestic violence statutes has created a gap in the law where the information from those found guilty of domestic violence crimes in New York courts is not transmitted to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) used for background checks of those purchasing firearms. Under the new law, when a defendant is convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor offense in New York, the court will determine whether the crime is related or situated to the federal domestic violence statute and if so, transmit the defendant's information to the Division of Criminal Justice Services which passes it on to the NICS.
Senator Steve Saland said, "With four domestic violence related deaths in Dutchess County in the past year, I am keenly aware of the need to strengthen the laws to provide further protections to victims of domestic violence. Despite our ongoing efforts against domestic violence, it remains a problem that tragically continues to be too prevalent. It not only victimizes those abused, but also impacts the community at large. This new law will provide much needed protections to keep firearms from violent criminals and prevent future tragedies and I commend Governor Cuomo for his leadership in signing this bill into law."
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin said, "Today New York State takes advantage of the federal government's system to ensure that guns aren't sold to domestic violence abusers. Following the tragic deaths of Jessica Welch and Officer John Falcone, who were both shot and killed by Jessica's ex-partner and abuser in Poughkeepsie earlier this year, I was determined to pass this bill which will help prevent such tragedies from occurring again. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this important bill and I look forward to continuing to do all we can to fight against domestic violence."
The White House Council on Women and Girls
Fact Sheet: http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/womensprevention08012011a.html
Blog: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/08/01/affordable-care-act-helps-women-stay-healthy
The Affordable Care Act Helps Women Stay Healthy
Posted by Valerie Jarrett on August 01, 2011 at 05:34 PM EDT
On Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) announced historic new guidelines that will allow women to access important preventive health services as part of the Affordable Care Act. This afternoon, I joined Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on a conference call with several women’s, youth and health organizations where we discussed the new ruling and its impact on America’s women, girls and families.
We all know that women and men face different sets of health risks, which require different systems of care and coverage. Before Friday’s ruling, however, preventive services for women had been only been recommended one-by-one, or as part of guidelines targeted toward men as well.
To correct this problem, HHS directed the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to conduct a detailed review of women’s preventative healthcare. It’s important to note that the IOM is an independent organization, and relied on independent doctors, scientists, and experts to reach conclusions based on scientific evidence.
In addition to the benefits for women already included in the Affordable Care Act, such as coverage of maternity benefits, the new guidelines will help women meet their unique health needs. Beginning August 1, 2012, additional women’s preventive services that will be covered with no cost sharing in new health plans include:
- Well-woman visits
- Gestational diabetes
- Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling
- Domestic violence screening
- Contraception and contraceptive counseling
- HPV DNA testing
- STI counseling, and HIV screening and counseling
These preventive services help women stay healthy, and because they enhance long-term detection and treatment, they also reduce long-term health costs.
As the chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, I am incredibly proud that the Affordable Care Act will help all women receive the preventive services they need. The Council also recognizes that women’s issues do not exclusively affect women. They have an impact on the entire family. When more women are able to stay healthy, it means more parents will be able to care for their children, and more caregivers will be able to support elderly relatives. It also means a more productive workforce, which will benefit employers and employees alike.
President Obama has said that his mother taught him that, “you can tell how far a society is going to go by how it treats its women and girls. And if they’re doing well, then the society is going to do well; and if they’re not, then they won’t be.” With that principle in mind, these new guidelines for women’s preventative health are a crucial step forward for the health of our citizens, and for our society as a whole.
For more on the new guidelines, visit HealthCare.gov or Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius's blog post.
Valerie Jarrett is Senior Advisor to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls
Break the Cycle bike a thon
Information for women veterans from the Erie County Veterans Service Agency
May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Prevention Month. Visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation website at www.nof.org for more information.
It's Women's History Month and the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women has been busy celebrating women of our past and future. Check out this successful young woman entrepreneur who is proving herself to be a valuable resource for our young women leaders.
Maria Pascucci is a national college women's leadership speaker and is the Founder and President of CampusCalm.com. She is the author of the gold-medal-winning book Campus Calm University. Maria has called Buffalo her home for 31 years and counting. Check out Maria's website at www.CampusCalmBook.com.
- Grants for women
- Women's History Month
- Calendar/timeline for the CSW
- The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library are collaborating with community partners to develop a Women's History Month Calendar of Events for 2009. The theme for the National Women's History Month this year is "Writing Women Back into History". Buffalo is the home of many outstanding women who have impacted our community both locally as well as nationally. If your organization or one you know of is planning events or activities between February 21 and April 4, 2020 that in any way relate to women past and present, their achievements, and their issues, please complete the Submission Form by December 18, 2009.
- FREE TRAINING FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS - click here
- The First Annual Seminar entitled, "Wives of Prophet Muhammad", and sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Buffalo, New York was held on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at the Millennium Hotel in Buffalo, New York
The event was organized by Commission on the Status of Women board member, Tahmina Rehman, the President of the AMC Buffalo Chapter. You may find a reporting of the event at: http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/810283.html
- Website links for Women's Veterans
- Coalition Quarterly Update
- April newsletter
- List of domestic violence phone numbers
- Women's Rights National Historical Park of the National Parks System
- The National Hotline for Domestic Violence
The National Hotline number is: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224
- NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
- Voter Registration
- Voter Registration - Spanish Version
- Women in Politics
