6.30.2013 | Today AFC participated in the New York City Pride March! This was our first year marching, and we had a great time!
We set off at 39th Street and 5th Avenue...
And ended in the Village!
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Paige’s Story
Paige, a bright third grade student on the autism spectrum, sat at home for nearly two months waiting for a school placement that would meet her needs.
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06.18.2013 | Today AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Juvenile Justice on the educational needs of students transitioning back into the community from detention and placement. View testimony [PDF]
06.06.2013 | Today AFC testified at the Discipline Code hearing, which offers the opportunity for students, parents, teachers, and advocates to offer input into the draft of the discipline code which will go into effect during the 2013-2014 school year. AFC called for the discipline code to include meaningful information regarding behavioral supports for students with disabilities. Though students with disabilities make up 12% of the NYC public school population, they receive almost 1/3 of all suspensions. View testimony [PDF]
06.05.2013 | Today AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Finance, urging city leaders to reject shortsighted proposed cuts to early childhood education and after-school programs. Read testimony [PDF]
05.30.2013 | Last year, there were 69,694 suspensions and 2,548 arrests and summonses in the New York City public schools. Research and experience have shown that we can keep our schools safe while reducing these high rates of suspensions and arrests, which are linked to high rates of school failure, drop out, and future court involvement. We need effective and fair school discipline, with schools creating and nurturing a climate and culture that promote positive behavior, and we need targeted, consistent collaboration between the education, justice, and social service systems, as well as the communities they serve. Today the New York City School-Justice Partnership Task Force released a report outlining a plan of action for the next mayor to lead a city-wide effort to keep kids in school and out of court. The New York State Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children, working with Advocates for Children of New York, sponsored the New York City School-Justice Partnership Task Force with support from the law firm of Skadden Arps and a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies.
Read the report and recommendations [PDF]
Read the press release [PDF]
Damon Hewitt, NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Kim Sweet, Advocates for Children of New York; Joan Gabbidon, Kings County District Attorney's Office; Judge Judith Kaye; Judge Monica Drinane, Bronx County Family Court; Kathleen DeCataldo, NYS Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children; Timothy Lisante, District 79, NYC Department of Education
5.16.2013 | Thank you to everyone who supported our 2013 Spring Benefit! More than 600 guests joined us last night at 360° to celebrate this year’s honorees, John J. Mack and Zio Correa, Jr. Your generosity will allow us to protect the right to learn for even more New York City students in the coming year.
Pictured left to right: AFC Board member Eric Grossman; presenter Dr. Steven Corwin; AFC Executive Director Kim Sweet; John J. Mack, recipient of the Jill Chaifetz Award; Zio Correa, Jr., recipient of the Education Champion Award; and presenter Natalie Morales. View more event photos
Watch honoree Zio Correa, Jr. and his father speak at the benefit. View more event videos
5.13.2013 | Jamie Levitt, President of the Board of Directors of Advocates for Children, was honored by A Better Balance at their annual spring celebration on May 7! Jamie was recognized for her outstanding efforts on behalf of women and families.
4.30.2013 | On May 30, join Advocates for Children, former Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, and New York City School-Justice Task Force members for the release of the New York City School-Justice Task Force Report and Recommendations on keeping kids in school and out of court.
As the next New York City Mayor sets the course for education reform, these recommendations provide a roadmap of next steps in a city-wide effort to take advantage of emerging approaches to school discipline that are effective and fair as a means to improve outcomes for all of our children – to keep our students in school and out of court.
04.26.2013 | Today AFC testified before the state Office of Children and Family Services hearing on the child care plan for 2014-15, arguing that our leaders must provide more funding to increase access to quality early childhood education programs and ensure that children with disabilities have access to those programs. View testimony [PDF]
04.23.2013 | Today AFC submitted comments on the New York City Administration for Children’s Services’ proposed plan for limited secure placement of youth as part of phase two of the Close to Home juvenile justice reform initiative. View comments [PDF]