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Call AFC's Education Helpline
(866) 427-6033
Monday to Thursday
10 am to 4 pm 

Events

AFC's Spring Benefit
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
6:00 – 9:30 pm
Three Sixty ° New York

Resource library: View AFC's guidebooks, fact sheets, and more

Emely’s Story

Emely spent years struggling academically because she was not identified as a student with a learning disability.

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Who We Serve

Students Involved In Bullying Incidents

Students Involved in Bullying Incidents

Advocates for Children of New York works with students who are targeted by or involved in bullying, with a focus on students with disabilities and LGBTQ and gender nonconforming youth. LGBTQ students and students with disabilities are more likely to be bullied and also have higher rates of school suspension, in part because of behaviors that are a response to harassment, an unsupportive school climate, or unmet special education needs.

Individual Case Assistance
AFC provides free advice and case assistance to families of students impacted by bullying, including:

  • Representation at suspension hearings and Manifestation Determination Reviews because of behavior related to bullying; 
  • Representation at IEP meetings, impartial hearings, and mediations to secure appropriate school placements and services for students with disabilities impacted by bullying;
  • Help obtaining school transfers; and 
  • Help filing complaints for students who have been bullied or harassed.
     

Community Education
AFC offers workshops and trainings for parents, youth, and social service providers about bullying, suspensions, special education, and the rights of LGBTQ and gender nonconforming students in New York City schools.

Policy Advocacy
Through our work with families and communities, we identify trends and system-wide barriers that we address through our policy work. AFC advocates for safe and supportive school environments free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination, and for all students, including those with disabilities or behavioral challenges, to receive the services and supports they need to succeed in school. Read testimonies we submitted to the New York City Council Committee on Education in support of Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) [PDF] and with recommendations for addressing bullying [PDF] in New York City schools.

Guides & Resources

Note: The following resources are in PDF format and will open in a new window. To view PDF files, download the following free software: Get Adobe® Reader®.

For more guides and resources, please visit our resource library.

Guide to Preventing & Addressing Bullying (also available in Spanish)
Your child has the right to attend a school where they are safe and supported and there is no bullying, harassment, or discrimination. This guide describes bullying behavior and signs a child may be bullied. It also includes the education rights of students who are bullied or engaged in bullying behavior and attend New York City Department of Education (DOE) schools, including special protections for students with disabilities.

How to Report Bullying at a School (also available in Spanish)
This fact sheet gives information about how students and parents can report bullying at a school, and what to do if the bullying does not stop.

Guide to Preventing & Addressing Bullying in Charter Schools
This guide is for families with children in charter schools in New York City. It describes bullying behavior, signs a child may be bullied, and the education rights of students who are bullied or engaged in bullying behavior.

Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination of Immigrant Students in NYC Schools 
(also available in Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Urdu)
This fact sheet explains New York City Department of Education (DOE) policy and what parents can do if their children experience bullying or discrimination based on race, national origin, immigration status, or religion.

LGBTQ Education Guide 
This guide explains LGBTQ students’ rights in New York City public schools and what to do if these rights have been violated. It covers topics such as bullying and harassment; school transfers; changing your name at school; and the rights of students living in temporary housing.

Guide to School Suspensions (also available in Spanish)
This guide explains when a student can be suspended, what happens at a superintendent's suspension hearing, and the student's rights throughout the process.

Helpful Websites