CCC Testimony: New York City Council Youth Services Committee Hearing on Fiscal Year 2013 Preliminary Budget Proposals

Published March, 2012

CCC testified about the impact the Fiscal Year 2013 Preliminary Budget would have on children and families served by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) at the March 15, 2012 Youth Services Committee hearing on the Fiscal Year 2013 Preliminary Budget.

CCC testified that cutting youth services was shortsighted because programs such as summer jobs, after-school programs and services for vulnerable youth result in long-term benefits for children and communities. Opportunities to work, learn, and have positive social interactions are essential to adolescents’ transition to adulthood.

CCC’s testimony focused on proposals that would cut 32,000 Out-of-School Time (OST) after-school program slots, close 7 Beacon programs, cut NYCHA Cornerstone after-school programs, eliminate almost all city funding for runaway and homeless youth services, and reduce the number of Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) slots.

CCC urged the City Council and the Mayor to restore these critical services for children.