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April 3, 2014

State Budget Makes Historic Investment in NYC’s Children and Families

To those who signed one of the 42,000 e-advocacy letters we sent to Albany, made one of the thousands of phone calls, joined us on trips to the State capital, or shared our message with your friends, you were instrumental in helping CCC make a difference. We’re thankful to have you as a partner and the children and families of New York are better off because of you.

The New York State Governor and Legislature enacted a budget this week that makes historic investments in children, which will improve child well-being for decades to come. All of us at CCC are so excited about it and eager to work with the State and the City on implementation.

Thanks to the persistence, compassion and commitment of Mayor de Blasio and so many advocates and citizens from NYC, the state budget invests $1.5 billion over five years ($300 million each year) to expand full-day pre-kindergarten to all NYC four-year-olds. In addition, funding is included for the City to expand after-school programs for middle school students.

The City’s children will also benefit from new investments in child care and services for sexually exploited youth.

The budget includes funding for the Commission on Youth, Public Safety and Justice to make recommendations on how best to raise the age of criminal responsibility in New York, improve outcomes for youth, and promote community safety. It also restores funding for a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for many human services providers.

There are a few important statutory amendments to note. For example, the law is amended to allow participation in a four year post-secondary education program to count as work participation for purposes of an individual’s public assistance employment requirement. This will give public assistance recipients a better opportunity to achieve economic security as they transition off benefits. When calculating a family’s income eligibility for child care assistance, the income of teenagers in the home will now be excluded from the family income.

But there is still more work to be done. We will be counting on you to help us advocate!

The budget eliminates the prohibition against NYC creating a new rental assistance program to help homeless families. CCC will be advocating strongly for the creation of a new program to help the over 22,000 children living in homeless shelters.

In addition, the Legislature has included funding for 20 new Family Court Judges in the budget. This is incredible news that has the potential to address court delays for thousands of children and families. CCC will continue to be advocating with the New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges to ensure the necessary legislation is passed this session to distribute the 20 Judges throughout the State.

Finally, please help us spread the word about the expansion of pre-k for 4-year olds. Parents have until April 23rd to register their children!

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Tags
Housing Subsidy, New York State Coalition for More Family Court Judges, Raise the Age, State Budget, thank you, UPK, Education, Family & Community, Housing, Youth

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