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Julian’s Story
Julian is a 3-year-old preschooler with delays in his language skills, but the DOE failed to provide recommended services.
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03.25.2022 | Gothamist | Sarah Part, a policy analyst at Advocates for Children, said the problems with literacy instruction are deepening inequities and widening the achievement gap. She said a large number of parents with means have been hiring tutors to address shortcomings in literacy...
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Join Advocates for Children of New York in ensuring that New York City students and their families receive the support they need to thrive in a school system that is facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. A message from Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children...
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03.21.2022 | Today, AFC is testifying before the City Council Committee on Education regarding the FY 23 preliminary education budget, urging the City to reject proposed cuts to education, including the DOE hiring freeze, and invest in initiatives to support the students with the greatest needs....
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03.21.2022 | NY Daily News | Four months later, the division has yet to hire a single staffer — and advocates are urging the city to pick up the pace. “Students in foster care have waited far too long for much-needed supports from the DOE,” said Kim Sweet, executive director of Advocates for...
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Blog: Signs your child’s mental health may have been impacted by the pandemic, according to NYC experts03.12.2022 | SI Advance | “I think the transition back to school just generally has been difficult for a lot of students, and then all the uncertainty with [school] closures and omicron. It’s just been challenging for a lot of students who we work with,” Rohini Singh, a staff attorney in the School...
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05.04.2021 | Today, Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) and The Legal Aid Society released a report highlighting the urgent need for the Department of Education (DOE) to launch a small office focused solely on the needs of students in foster care. Currently, the DOE does not have an office,...
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Page: Taskforces & CoalitionsTaskforces & CoalitionsAFC’s staff are members of many coalitions, advisory committees, and taskforces that focus on improving education and pushing for reform, including:Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)/Advocates Education Work GroupThe ARISE CoalitionCampaign for ChildrenCampaign...
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03.08.2022 | Today, as part of AFC's ongoing litigation on behalf of students with disabilities who have not received an appropriate education during remote learning, the court issued an order extending the time for families to file impartial hearing requests for claims for compensatory services....
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03.09.2022 | Many students with disabilities had a difficult time making progress in school during the pandemic, and need extra supports and services to get back on track. AFC's newest tip sheet covers the individualized Special Education Recovery Services (“SERS”) the NYC Department of Education...
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Page: Adrian's StoryAdrian's StoryWhen Ms. Thomas first reached out to AFC in 2017, her son Adrian was in 8th grade but could not read or write and had not passed any of his state exams. “Even his pediatrician told me that I should have him learn a trade because there wasn't much hope for him,” said Ms. Thomas.Ms....
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03.02.2022 | City & State | In an emailed statement responding to Banks’ speech, Advocates for Children of New York – an advocacy group focused on students most at risk of discrimination and experiencing poor educational outcomes – said that this is one way remote learning options could be...
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03.01.2022 | Chalkbeat NY | Students with disabilities “not only have to meet those screening thresholds that their more typical peers have to meet, but then there needs to be the perfect overlay of physical accessibility,” said Maggie Moroff, who works on special education issues for...
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02.25.2022 | SI Live | Singh explained that Advocates for Children of New York has been pushing for investment in restorative practices, social-emotional support, mental health, targeted mental health support and more. Those investments would mean that when a student is experiencing a behavioral...
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02.28.2022 | Today, AFC is testifying before the City Council Committee on Education on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on English Language Learners and immigrant students and families, and three proposals that advocates believe will have a positive impact on ELLs and immigrant ...
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02.25.2022 | Today, AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction on the youth mental health crisis and the urgent need for a comprehensive system to ensure that our young people have access to and receive behavioral and mental health supports...
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02.02.2022 | Youth Today | Data from the National Center for Homeless Education suggest that 19% of homeless students have some form of disability; that compares to 14% of housed students. And estimated 30% of those living In New York City shelters have a disability, according to Advocates for...
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02.07.2022 | The CITY | On Friday, a dozen organizations sent a letter to Adams and his recently appointed Department of Social Services Commissioner, Gary Jenkins, urging them to continue the COVID-era application process, which allows families to stay in shelters even after their applications are...
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02.18.2022 | Chalkbeat NY | Cutting vacant positions drew concern from advocacy organization Advocates for Children, which has petitioned the education department to hire more staffers to support homeless students, children in foster care, and those learning English as a new language. “We’ve...
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02.20.2022 | NY Daily News | “It’s really frustrating because the office of special education has put this out there as an opportunity for kids with disabilities … but if the providers aren’t ready and able then not a lot can happen, and the providers can’t be ready and able if the [Education...
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Page: Caleb's StorySeven months into the pandemic, Chrystal Bell called AFC’s Helpline. Her son Caleb, an affectionate, joyful young man, had multiple disabilities that had made it impossible for him to participate in any remote learning for the last half of the year. Caleb is deaf and blind and has Autism...