Blake Kush, MSW is the Training & Outreach Unit Chief for the New York State office of Victim Services. He is responsible for the agency’s training of more than 230 victim assistance programs across New York State and oversees coordination of all agency state-wide outreach efforts.
As an agency executive team member, Blake oversees the procurement, implementation, and service deliverables for millions of dollars in federal and state funding for victim service professionals. In the last five years alone, his unit has delivered hundreds of regional and web-based professional development trainings for more than 10,000 victim advocates.
Prior to service in state government, Blake helped manage a training and economic development program serving low-income families at Albany Community Action Partnership. In various roles at the non-profit, he helped to develop and implement strategies to reduce the City of Albany gender unemployment gap and in less than seven years, oversaw more than 750 job placements of low-income community members with over 130 Capital Region employers.
Originally from Denver, Colorado, Blake moved to New York in 2003 and obtained a B.A. in Sociology from Siena College and a Master’s Degree in MACRO Social Work from the University at Albany, SUNY. Blake and his amazing wife Danielle live in Castleton, New York and are raising two ever-curious daughters who attend schools in the Schodack Central School District.
Blake also owns the small business Earthstone Candles, is a freelance career development tutor, and as a former Division 1-AA athlete, he takes coaching recreational youth soccer and softball way too serious. He loves a great sunrise, family bike rides, and the first sip of hot coffee in the morning.
“I’m a husband, father, and civil servant at my core. I know it takes a village to raise our children and with your support, I will continue to be an advocate for ALL voices in this amazing community we love.”
Blake Kush, Schodack Board of Education Member
Blake Kush - Schodack Boe 