CCC Testimony: Oversight: Summer Programs for Elementary and Middle School Students

Published April, 2016

CCC testified before the New York City Council Youth Services Committee on April 19, 2016 regarding summer programs for elementary and middle school students. While CCC continues to applaud the administration for its successful expansion of middle school after-school programs, we expressed our dismay that they continue to hold back the $20.35 million in funding that would enable 31,000 middle school students to attend summer programs this year. Just as after-school programs enable parents to work while their children are both safe and receiving stimulating, nurturing and developmentally appropriate care, the same is true for summer programming.  Summer programs prevent summer learning loss, while enabling parents to work knowing their children are somewhere safe.  This is particularly critical for low-income children and their families. Our testimony referenced recent maps and reports developed by CCC in collaboration with the Campaign for Children on the planned cuts by Council District and Community District which illustrate how the cut impacts children and families in every corner of the City—but is particularly drastic in the communities with the greatest need.