Ali Boak Makes NY State a Forerunner In Identifying Child Trafficking

(Pound Ridge, NY – September 28, 2013) -- Ali Boak, Pound Ridge Democratic candidate for Town Supervisor, is also Co-founder and President of the International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA). As a longtime advocate of adolescent health, she is an international expert on the issue of child trafficking.

Boak is leading an effort with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to develop a blueprint to build awareness about human trafficking. She has been integral in developing a strategic, statewide response called ChildRight: New York. The program provides crucial training to police and social workers in five counties—including Westchester—who may come into contact with trafficked children. These child welfare workers play a huge role in identifying sex and labor trafficking, and in getting children who are victims the help they need.

“I’m thrilled that New York State is setting an example for other States by developing this response to identify trafficked children,” Boak said. “ChildRight: New York will help service providers who come to their rescue by assisting and supporting these vulnerable youth.”

                                               #  #  #

PHOTO 1: Ali Boak, Pound Ridge Democratic candidate for Town Supervisor (second from left) with Peter Harckham, County Board of Legislators; Phil Goldstein, Westchester County Social Services, and Steven Vandervelden, Westchester County District Attorney’s Office at “ChildRight: New York”.

PHOTO 2: Lisa Gharety Ogundimu, Assistant Commissioner Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS); Madeline Hannan, International Organization for Adolescents (IOFA) Project Director; Lynn Baniak, Policy Analyst OCFS; Tina Frundt, Survivor and Founder of Courtney’s House; Ali Boak, Co-Founder and President of IOFA, and Deanna Croce, Safe Horizons