From the Project Director:

It is a great joy to welcome you to Docs For Tots New York ("DFTNY"), the first state project of Docs For Tots. Our mission is to unite NY doctors with local advocacy groups, early childhood settings, and other organizations in the fight for children.

So many of the ills that affect our children find their roots in a deep social and economic context that must be addressed if we are to truly improve the world for our youngest children. We believe that getting physicians involved in the policy and advocacy arena shall greatly enhance efforts to promote child health and well being.

We are lucky to be living in an exciting time in which there is clear and convincing evidence that links early childhood experiences with long-term outcomes. This message needs to be shared in meaningful ways to promote policy that supports best practices. The physician provides a clinical context and a strong, but too often absent, voice in the mission to create a world that offers our children a truly fair and healthy start.

My passion for these issues led me to Dr. George Askew, Executive Director of Docs For Tots. One thing led to another, and it was clear that New York would be the ideal setting for the first Docs For Tots State Project. And that its time is now. With its 4,581,111 children, and alarming rates of child poverty, violence and homelessness, New York poses unique challenges. Fortunately, the energy, diversity and vast resources of this great state provide unlimited potential for collaboration and solutions. DFTNY is uniquely positioned to grab hold of these opportunities and utilize its intimate knowledge of New York 's physician and advocacy networks to make Docs For Tots' mission a reality.

Doctors, please join our network, advocacy groups, explore the site, and contact us with your requests. Together we shall make a difference.

Dina Joy Lieser
Project Director
Docs For Tots New York