New York’s children need a community where they can thrive in every possible way. Achieving this demands bold action in state budgeting, ensuring every investment and policy be weighed against the impact it has on children. The Children’s Agenda welcomes the strides made in this year’s budget. The wins for kids happened because of everyone who took action over the past six months. Together, our Action Network, Very Invested Parents and staff: - Sent 5,718 letters to Albany
- Met with 46 legislators and state officials
- Made countless phone calls to the Governor's office
On behalf of children, thank you to everyone who sent a letter, made a call, met with a legislator, or told their friends to do the same. Action changes things. Read on to learn what's in the budget, what's not and what's next in Albany. Also, take action for child care legislation that we hope to pass before the legislative session ends on June 9, and learn about what's happening locally with the Rochester school and city budgets. |
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| We advocated for transformative change in how New York invests in children. By organizing parents, youth, and community members and working with partners across the state, we made progress on many issues that impact children and families every day. Most notably, the budget included 6 wins for children: Provides relief to families with infants and toddlers by expanding the Empire State Child Credit to children under 4 years of age. This matters because infants and toddlers are the children most likely to live in poverty. Makes quality child care more affordable for low and middle income families by extending eligibility for child care assistance to families earning up to 85% of the state median income (currently $93,258 for a family of four). This matters because child care costs more than a year at SUNY. Moves New York State closer to ensuring every child has access to free, quality education by requiring a study of how tuition rates are set for Preschool Special Education programs. This matters because specialized education early can change the trajectory of a child's life for the better. Makes mental health supports more accessible, affordable and integrated with children’s lives by investing $30 million into school-based mental health clinics and requiring private insurers to cover school-based mental health care regardless of whether the school is a participating provider. This matters because there is a crisis in youth mental health and every child who needs support should have it. Feeds more children by investing $134 million to increase access to free school meals. This matters because kids can't learn when they are hungry. Creates fiscal equity in education by fully funding school Foundation Aid. This matters because public education should mean quality education for every child. |
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| However, the Governor and legislature failed to address three critical needs children have, choosing to prioritize niche desires of adults over basic needs of children. While the state budgeted $882 million in film industry tax credits and funding for a football stadium, for almost 12% less they could have: Shortened the time infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities wait for Early Intervention services by increasing the rate paid to providers of critical services like speech, occupational and physical therapy (cost: approximately $35 million). Ensured every family receives the full child tax credit by removing the eligibility phase-in, allowing the lowest income families with children to benefit from the full credit (cost: $50 million more than budgeted). Stimulated more availability of child care by making significant, sustained investments in the child care and early education workforce rather than a temporary program (cost: $700 million more than budgeted). These investments in children are what we will be striving for in next year's budget. That work begins now! |
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| ACTION ALERT! Because not every parent works 9 to 5, families need quality child care available evenings, nights and weekends. You can help! Tell our representatives in Albany kids need care no matter what their parents' work hours. Ask them to vote for: - A.1734/S.4079 to increase child care assistance payments at a 15% higher rate for nontraditional hour care and for children experiencing homelessness
- A.4986/S.5327 to allow parents who work part-time or fluctuating hours access to full-time child care assistance
Together, these bills will help parents ensure their children are safely cared for while they work. Take 2 minutes to send 2 letters to your representatives in Albany with one simple form by clicking here. Then forward this email to your friends and ask them to act, too. You can also share the Action Alert on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter -- just look for the post with the firefighter! |
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| While some staff have been working on the New York state budget, other staff have been working on the Rochester City School District budget for next school year. The Board of Education has voted to adopt the 2023 - 2024 budget. Through staff meetings with district administrators, parent comments at the public hearing, and our review of the proposed budget, we advocated for a budget that will support all students so they can achieve their full potential academically and in life. Issues we highlighted included: - Mental health supports
- School climate
- Multilingual learners
- Special education
- Early childhood education
- School meals
- Transparency
Read our review of the budget here. Hear the voices of parents and community members speak during the public hearing here. Next steps: The Rochester City Council will hold a public hearing on the city budget, including accepting the school budget, on June 8. To speak at the public hearing, check out the sign-up instructions here. The City Council vote on the budget will be on June 20. |
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A special thank you to the Hallowell Fund of the Rochester Area Community Foundation for their generous support. They recently contributed $25,000 to support our advocacy for children. This gift will help us speak boldly on issues like affordable child care, timely services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities, and maternal and child health. The Hallowell Fund has supported our work annually since 2004. On behalf of the children whose lives you have impacted, thank you! |
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Thank You to our Recent Donors! |
Max and Lita Boudakian • Jennifer Cathy • Meredith Dragon • Drs. Marc and Rebecca Lavender • Sarah Mittiga • Aaron and Katherine Schnittman • Paul Tremblay and Dr. Jennifer West • Kim Wolfe Children are young for a short time. You can make a difference by contributing today. |
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