Today, AFC is testifying before the New York City Council Committee on Children & Youth regarding the need for improvement in the education services youth receive while in Close to Home programs, and the quality of transition services once their time in Close to Home programs ends.
Policy Resources
AFC works to change education policy so that the public school system serves all children effectively. We publish policy reports and data analyses, testify at the City and State levels, speak out in the press to bring attention to the challenges facing the students and families we serve, and join with other advocates, parents, youth, and educators to call for change.
Call to Action to Sustain Education Programs Funded with Expiring Federal COVID-19 Relief
More than 170 organizations are calling on New York leaders to save critical education programs currently supported by temporary federal stimulus funding set to run dry in 2024.210 Results Found
AFC testified on school based mental health clinics, urging the City Council to ensure the budget includes funding to continue the Mental Health Continuum and sustain a range of important education programs currently funded with expiring federal dollars.
AFC submitted testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction and the Committee on Health on the need to continue funding for the Mental Health Continuum.
AFC testified at the New York City Council Preliminary Budget Hearing on Children and Youth about the need for continued funding for Promise NYC, which provides early childhood education and for children who are undocumented.
Today, AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) are testifying at the NYC Council Committee on Education’s Preliminary Budget hearing. Numerous education programs, services, and staff positions are currently at risk of deep cuts as a result of the expiration of federal stimulus funding, the expiration of one-year city funding, and the Preliminary Budget cut of more than $700 million.
AFC testified at the Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2024–2025 Executive State Budget Proposal for Elementary and Secondary Education.
AFC submitted testimony for the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2024–2025 Executive Budget Proposal regarding the need to significantly invest in Early Intervention (EI).
AFC testified before the New York State Education Department regarding mayoral control, emphasizing the need to ensure that any changes to the current model do not negatively affect the student populations AFC serves.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education & Committee on State and Federal Legislation regarding the new phonics based curriculum and dyslexia screening in NYC Public Schools. We are urging the Council to remain steadfast in the commitment to ensuring that all schools are using reading curricula with proven effectiveness and to push the school system to provide all students—including those who have disabilities like dyslexia—with the intervention and support they need.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Finance to express our concerns about the impact of the $547 million cut to NYC public schools this year – and the more than $600 million cut planned for next year.