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Julian’s Story
Julian is a 3-year-old preschooler with delays in his language skills, but the DOE failed to provide recommended services.
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05.04.2021 | Today, Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) and The Legal Aid Society released a report highlighting the urgent need for the Department of Education (DOE) to launch a small office focused solely on the needs of students in foster care. Currently, the DOE does not have an office,...
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Page: Taskforces & CoalitionsTaskforces & CoalitionsAFC’s staff are members of many coalitions, advisory committees, and taskforces that focus on improving education and pushing for reform, including:Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)/Advocates Education Work GroupThe ARISE CoalitionCampaign for ChildrenCampaign...
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03.08.2022 | Today, as part of AFC's ongoing litigation on behalf of students with disabilities who have not received an appropriate education during remote learning, the court issued an order extending the time for families to file impartial hearing requests for claims for compensatory services....
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03.09.2022 | Many students with disabilities had a difficult time making progress in school during the pandemic, and need extra supports and services to get back on track. AFC's newest tip sheet covers the individualized Special Education Recovery Services (“SERS”) the NYC Department of Education...
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Page: Adrian's StoryAdrian's StoryWhen Ms. Thomas first reached out to AFC in 2017, her son Adrian was in 8th grade but could not read or write and had not passed any of his state exams. “Even his pediatrician told me that I should have him learn a trade because there wasn't much hope for him,” said Ms. Thomas.Ms....
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03.02.2022 | City & State | In an emailed statement responding to Banks’ speech, Advocates for Children of New York – an advocacy group focused on students most at risk of discrimination and experiencing poor educational outcomes – said that this is one way remote learning options could be...
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03.01.2022 | Chalkbeat NY | Students with disabilities “not only have to meet those screening thresholds that their more typical peers have to meet, but then there needs to be the perfect overlay of physical accessibility,” said Maggie Moroff, who works on special education issues for...
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02.25.2022 | SI Live | Singh explained that Advocates for Children of New York has been pushing for investment in restorative practices, social-emotional support, mental health, targeted mental health support and more. Those investments would mean that when a student is experiencing a behavioral...
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02.28.2022 | Today, AFC is testifying before the City Council Committee on Education on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on English Language Learners and immigrant students and families, and three proposals that advocates believe will have a positive impact on ELLs and immigrant ...
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02.25.2022 | Today, AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction on the youth mental health crisis and the urgent need for a comprehensive system to ensure that our young people have access to and receive behavioral and mental health supports...
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02.02.2022 | Youth Today | Data from the National Center for Homeless Education suggest that 19% of homeless students have some form of disability; that compares to 14% of housed students. And estimated 30% of those living In New York City shelters have a disability, according to Advocates for...
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02.07.2022 | The CITY | On Friday, a dozen organizations sent a letter to Adams and his recently appointed Department of Social Services Commissioner, Gary Jenkins, urging them to continue the COVID-era application process, which allows families to stay in shelters even after their applications are...
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02.18.2022 | Chalkbeat NY | Cutting vacant positions drew concern from advocacy organization Advocates for Children, which has petitioned the education department to hire more staffers to support homeless students, children in foster care, and those learning English as a new language. “We’ve...
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02.20.2022 | NY Daily News | “It’s really frustrating because the office of special education has put this out there as an opportunity for kids with disabilities … but if the providers aren’t ready and able then not a lot can happen, and the providers can’t be ready and able if the [Education...
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Page: Caleb's StorySeven months into the pandemic, Chrystal Bell called AFC’s Helpline. Her son Caleb, an affectionate, joyful young man, had multiple disabilities that had made it impossible for him to participate in any remote learning for the last half of the year. Caleb is deaf and blind and has Autism...
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02.12.2022 | Univision | Lulú Gomez nos trae un reporte de una organizacion luchando por niños y familias necesitadas los ultimos 50 años, Advocates for Children of New York. Watch video
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Back to School 2021Stay up-to-date on the most recent NYC schools updates by subscribing to AFC's weekly Blackboard Bulletin. Want to see what you've missed? Catch up on some of our most recent issues below:October 22October 15October 8October 1September 24September 17September 10September 3Refer...
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Page: Our ModelOur Model for SuccessAdvocates for Children of New York (AFC) has been protecting the right to education for New York City’s children for more than 50 years. Our unique and flexible approach to problem-solving gets students the support they need to succeed, educates and empowers families, and...
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12.08.2021 | Today, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the announcement of David Banks as the next schools Chancellor: We congratulate longtime school leader David Banks on being named the next Chancellor of...
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10.10.2017 | Today, the New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS), a project of Advocates for Children of New York, posted new data showing the number of students identified as homeless enrolled in New York City and New York State schools for the...