Advocates for Children of New York has a singular vision: an equitable and inclusive school system where all students receive the education they need to maximize their potential as adults.
We fight for families
For more than 50 years, we have fought beside NYC families from under-resourced communities through a unique combination of services, all focused on protecting education rights and eliminating barriers to success so all students can thrive.
"Because of AFC’s efforts my family and I do see the light at the end of the tunnel where our child will continue to progress so nicely and have a happy and healthy upbringing. Without AFC, none of this would have been possible."
At a meeting to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP)—held six years after Angelisa’s disabilities began impeding her academic progress—AFC successfully advocated for placement at a small, specialized school that could address Angelisa’s anxiety as well as her academic needs.
After Emely’s mom reached out to Advocates for Children, we helped get a thorough evaluation to determine Emely’s needs. When the DOE still did not offer Emely the help she needed, AFC filed an impartial hearing request to secure placement for Emely in a specialized school for students with learning disabilities, as well as intensive speech therapy and one-on-one tutoring in reading and writing outside of school.
For the first time in 17 years, NYS leaders are reexamining the formula used to decide how much education funding, or Foundation Aid, school districts get from the State for each student. Join us in asking Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature to update the formula to give all schools the funding they need.
