Who We Serve

Who We Serve

Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) is the most trusted and experienced organization fighting to ensure that ALL New York City students have access to a quality education. We believe every child deserves an excellent education, regardless of the obstacles they face.

We serve New York City students from birth through age 26, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds who are struggling in school or experiencing school discrimination of any kind, including suspensions, inappropriate class placement, or denial of necessary services. No matter what challenge your child faces, we will advise you on your child’s specific situation and work with you to ensure that they receive the educational services they are legally entitled to receive.

We offer a wide range of resources, such as fact sheets, guides, workshops, and trainings to help families stand up for their child’s educational rights. For low-income families who require more intensive assistance, our staff of attorneys and education specialists attend meetings with parents, represent parents in impartial hearings at the Department of Education (DOE), and handle administrative and court appeals.

AFC does not consider immigration status when deciding whether to help you.

To learn more about who we serve, click on the links below. You can also read the stories of some of the families AFC has helped. 

• Early childhood: children ages 0-5
• Students with disabilities
• Students who are over-age for their grade level
• Immigrant students and English Language Learners (ELLs)
• Students facing disciplinary issues
• Youth involved in the juvenile and criminal justice systems
• Students involved in bullying incidents
• Students in foster care
• Students in temporary housing
• Students attending charter schools