NEWS: A Child’s Place at Unity House Awarded Meaningful Contract
When families walk into Albany County Family Court, many are already carrying stress, uncertainty, and fear. For the youngest among them, those feelings can be even harder to process. Since December 17, A Child’s Place at Unity House (ACP) has been helping to meet that need, having been awarded the contract to operate the Albany County Family Court Children’s Center.
The announcement was made during a press conference marking the Center’s reopening, with local and state leaders speaking about the importance of providing children with a safe, nurturing space while caregivers attend court proceedings.
Since 2011, A Child’s Place has operated the Rensselaer County Family Court Children’s Center, serving hundreds of children each year. Statewide, family courts regularly see young children, most five years old or younger, accompanying caregivers to scheduled appearances, often without access to consistent education, healthcare, or nutrition during long days at court.
Local and state leaders such as Albany County Deputy Executive Michael McLaughlin, Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh, and representatives from Senator Fahy’s and Assemblymember Romero’s offices, all emphasized that these services play a critical role in supporting families during emotionally charged legal moments.
“There is a level of compassion that needs to be taken when providing childcare for youth who are visiting the family courts,” says Susan Rimkunas, Director of Education Services at A Child’s Place. “We’ve provided the necessary training and development to ensure our staff have the skills to meet the needs of all children who walk through our doors.”
That approach is rooted in decades of work across the Capital Region. For more than 50 years, A Child’s Place has served young children through its preschool programs in Troy and Albany, identifying developmental delays early and providing tailored, hands-on services through highly-trained educators, therapists, and administrators. The organization’s experience in trauma-informed care made it a natural fit for the Family Court setting.
“Walking into Family Court can be overwhelming for any family, especially when young children are involved,” says Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “That’s why having a safe, caring space for kids matters so much. A Child's Place at Unity House has been doing this work in the Capital Region for decades, and they’ve earned a reputation for truly understanding what kids need. I’m glad to see them take on this contract, and I appreciate their partnership.”
Mayor Dorcey Applyrs frames the contract as both a practical and moral investment in families. “Awarding this contract to a trusted provider like Unity House is about much more than providing a service — it’s about recognizing the very real human stress that families feel when they walk into family court. If, in some small but meaningful way, we can ease that burden by ensuring children feel safe and nurtured while their parents navigate an incredibly difficult moment, then we are doing our job.”
Other officials pointed to the broader implications for children’s wellbeing and access to care across the region. Senator Patricia Fahy, for one, emphasizes the relief these services provide for caregivers, saying, “Providing safe and supportive care for children accompanying their caregivers alleviates some of the discomfort that can often come with the experience of waiting in a courtroom.”
“It’s intimidating, even under the most ideal circumstances,” adds Albany County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham. “Since these services are a critical and often overlooked part of our court system, I am thankful that Albany County can partner with an experienced and passionate team like A Child’s Place at Unity House.”
With operations officially having begun December 17, the Albany County Family Court Children’s Center will once again serve as a place of calm and care, offering children stability in moments when their world may feel anything but.