The City of Rochester’s Proposed Budget for 2021-22 directs expenditures to support our community’s recovery from 16 months of health, economic, and social crises. While pandemic restrictions are slowly being lifted and many Rochester residents are returning to some sense of normalcy, the healing from losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic has just begun. Children are the center of our concern.
The City of Rochester’s Proposed Budget for 2021-22 directs expenditures to support our community’s recovery from 16 months of health, economic, and social crises. While pandemic restrictions are slowly being lifted and many Rochester residents are returning to some sense of normalcy, the healing from losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic has just begun. Children are the center of our concern.
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a $1.9 billion stimulus plan designed to accelerate our nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains a number of measures to provide direct relief to families, e.g. $1,400 stimulus checks to households, extended unemployment benefits and emergency housing assistance, and $5 billion for federal food aid. The pandemic recovery is addressed with $160 billion for vaccine distribution, supplies, emergency response, testing and the public health workforce.
A significant portion of ARPA funds are directed to children and families through provisions that include changes to federal tax credits and increased resources for child care, PreK-12 education, and closing the digital divide.
PRIORITY RECOMMENDATION #1:
Eliminate the School Resource Officer contract with the Rochester City School District.
Under the School Resource Officer (SRO) contract, armed Rochester police officers have been present in a number of Rochester schools since 1998. There is increasing concern that this program has accelerated the school-to-prison pipeline in Rochester, as the permanent presence of armed police on school grounds may unintentionally lead to the criminalization of youth for normal adolescent behavior.
Child care across the state and nation suffers from an extraordinary lack of public resources. Greater investments from local, state, and federal partners are needed to stabilize our community’s child care system, allow child care workers to earn a living wage, and ensure children receive the care and support they need to thrive. The purpose of this report is to inform leaders in Rochester, Monroe County, and New York State about the growing shortage of regulated care for young children, and to identify policies that can strengthen this crucial support for families.
Child care across the state and nation suffers from an extraordinary lack of public resources. Greater investments from local, state, and federal partners are needed to stabilize our community’s child care system, allow child care workers to earn a living wage, and ensure children receive the care and support they need to thrive. The purpose of this report is to inform leaders in Rochester, Monroe County, and New York State about the growing shortage of regulated care for young children, and to identify policies that can strengthen this crucial support for families.
The Children’s Agenda applauds the city of Rochester’s draft 2034 Comprehensive Plan for many of its goals to promote equity and prosperity going forward. Though many goals and strategies in the plan would benefit children and families, children are not mentioned in the vision statement nor is there a section dedicated to their unique needs.
The City of Rochester’s FY20 budget was proposed just after the release of “Rochester 2034,” the City’s Draft Comprehensive Plan for the next 15 years. The Children’s Agenda urges the City to target resources toward 3 critical investments.
The City of Rochester’s FY20 budget was proposed just after the release of “Rochester 2034,” the City’s Draft Comprehensive Plan for the next 15 years. The Children’s Agenda urges the City to target resources toward 3 critical investments.
Among local public entities who touch the lives of children and youth, the City has unique opportunities. City decisions impact every aspect of a child’s life – housing, neighborhoods, education, literacy, public safety, healthy environments, physical activity, recreation, employment and more.
The Children’s Agenda advocates for effective policies and drives evidenced-based solutions for the health, education and success of children. We are especially committed to children who are vulnerable because of poverty, racism, health inequities and trauma.
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