Statement of the Campaign for Children in Response to Preliminary Budget for City Fiscal Year 2019

Released February 2, 2018

For Immediate Release:  February 2, 2018
Contact:  Elysia Murphy, 212-673-1800 x 18, emurphy@cccnewyork.org

“Mayor de Blasio and his administration have taken important steps to lay the groundwork for all New York City children to have access to high quality early childhood education, after-school and summer programming, including yesterday’s announcement that the City will expedite the implementation of 3K to four more school districts. Indeed, these investments will be life-altering for children.  Notwithstanding, we are deeply concerned that the Preliminary Budget fails to fund summer programs for over 34,000 middle school students, reduces existing capacity for elementary after-school programs, and takes no steps towards salary parity for early childhood education teachers and staff in community based organizations.  It is our intention to work with the Administration and the City Council to ensure that the Executive Budget restores and expands access to early childhood education and after-school and summer programs, and provides pay equity for community-based organizations.”

ABOUT CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN: The Campaign for Children is a coalition of 150 early childhood education and after-school advocacy and provider organizations, including Citizens’ Committee for Children, The Children’s Aid Society, United Neighborhood Houses, Good Shepherd Services, FPWA, the Day Care Council of New York, UJA-Federation of New York, and the YMCA of Greater New York. The Campaign’s successful advocacy saved child care and after-school programs for more than 47,000 children by securing more than $120 million of one-year City Council discretionary funds for two consecutive years, which then were successfully baselined. The Campaign also advocated for the expansion of Universal Pre-K and middle school after-school programs in NYC, and saved summer programs for over 34,000 children.

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