Rochester’s children and youth are growing up in a community with unprecedented crises of social disruption, fewer institutional supports and more neighborhood violence. Despite the heroic efforts of parents, teachers, health care providers and community members, children’s losses persist. This has led to a crisis in youth mental health that disproportionately affects Black, Latinx and immigrant children. City services have an important role to play in supporting youth.

The Children’s Agenda commends the City for investing more in youth-serving staff. We additionally have six recommendations to further meet the social, emotional and developmental needs of youth.