Statement by CCC Executive Director Jennifer March on City FY’19 Preliminary Budget

Released February 1, 2018

Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, Inc. (CCC) appreciates the City’s need to be fiscally prudent given the budget uncertainties stemming from Washington, DC and Albany.

We appreciate the Mayor’s proposed new investments in Runaway and Homeless Youth Drop-in Centers, the creation of affordable housing through the new Basement Apartment Program, new anti-bullying and restorative justice programs in schools, and the expedited implementation of 3-K.  That said, we believe that the fiscal climate we are living in bolsters the need for the administration to make additional investments to better address the needs of New York City children, youth and their families.

Specifically, we are disappointed that the City’s Preliminary Budget once again proposes to cut summer programs for over 34,000 middle school students; fails to take steps to address salary parity for teachers and staff in community-based early childhood programs; and would eliminate Bridging the Gap, a program that has added MSWs to schools with high rates of homeless children.  Furthermore, the City proposal to add $150 million to the cost of providing shelter to homeless New Yorkers demonstrates the pressing need for the administration to take additional steps to address the well-being of children and families at-risk of homelessness and the over 27,000 children living in NYC shelters.

Finally, CCC appreciates the concerns the Mayor raised about state budget proposals to cap funds for child welfare preventive and protective services, eliminate funds for Close to Home juvenile justice program, and fail to provide resources needed to implement Raise the Age. We will be working with our colleagues to ensure that these harmful proposals are not included in the state’s adopted budget.