Putting limits on a harmful and ineffective form of punishment (suspensions and expulsions) reduces barriers to academic and social gains for all students, but especially students of color, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families who are disciplined more often because of institutional and individual biases.
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.
Essential safety net hospitals serve historically marginalized neighborhoods and communities of color. Years of disinvestment and the current financing system weaken the ability of these hospitals to provide equitable care. New York needs a permanent solution to fix the underinvestment and ensure safety net hospitals receive the funds they need moving forward.
Maternal mortality is far too high in New York and disproportionately affects Black women, regardless of their prenatal care, income and education levels. Preventive and supportive care must be systematically available and easily accessible to lower maternal mortality. Half of pregnancies in New York are covered by Medicaid, making Medicaid a key lever decreasing the number of women who die during pregnancy or childbirth.
The research shows that Black women are 5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women, and Black infants are 2 times more likely to die than White infants.
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.
The Children’s Agenda is a bold voice for children. We are pleased to share highlights of what we achieved for children in 2022.
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.
Early childhood development has lasting impacts throughout a child’s lifetime. From birth through the first few years, children develop critical foundations in cognition, language and
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.
