Housing instability and child poverty are problems we can fix, if we can summon the political will to do so. New York State should identify housing stability as a top priority so every child has a consistent place to call home.

The Children’s Agenda welcomes the strides made in this year’s budget, but our optimism is tempered by misplaced priorities for which children will bear the consequences.

New York can make quality child care more affordable by streamlining enrollment in the state’s child care assistance program.

The child care system in New York needs greater public investment to ensure the child care workforce is paid a sustaining wage.

Research indicates that suspensions are ineffective and harmful and that they deepen academic inequities, especially for students of color and students with disabilities.

The Children’s Agenda offers this summary of provisions for children that were included in the New York state budget enacted in April 2022.

New York State has drafted a proposal that will be submitted to the US Department of Health and Human Services, requesting flexibility in how it uses Medicaid funds. Known as a “Medicaid waiver,” the proposal includes a request for $13.52 billion to be used over five years. The intent is to design innovative ways of using Medicaid funds that will promote health equity and address health disparities. Despite the fact this waiver is focused on equity, the investments in the current proposal are not aligned with the needs of the poorest and most diverse population of New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid: children.

New York State must devote more resources to strengthening the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education systems, with a particular focus on eliminating inequities and expanding timely access to services.

There are many challenges plaguing the child care sector in New York State. I will summarize a few in this testimony, and share why my organization and the Empire State Campaign for Child Care believes a $5 billion investment is needed in the 2022-23 state budget.