AFC works to change education policy so that the public school system serves all children effectively. We publish policy reports and data analyses, testify at the City and State levels, speak out in the press to bring attention to the challenges facing the students and families we serve, and join with other advocates, parents, youth, and educators to call for change.
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Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York, issued the following statement in response to the Chancellor’s announced changes to literacy instruction in New York City Public Schools.
AFC submitted comments to NYSED on proposed changes to the state regulations on special education impartial hearings.
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the release of the Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget.
AFC submitted written testimony to the City Council Committe on Education regarding Intro No. 868, which would require the Department of Education (DOE) to report on the number of students attending District 75 schools and the criteria used to determine the location of District 75 schools.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction and the Committee on Health on the need for school-based social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health services, and for extending funding for the Mental Health Continuum, which will expire in June.
Over 60 organizations sent a letter urging Mayor Adams to extend funding for the Mental Health Continuum; immigrant family communications and outreach; shelter-based coordinators to support students experiencing homelessness; and Promise NYC.
Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) issued the following statement in response to the release of the New York City Department of Education (DOE)’s special education data report for the 2021–22 school year.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Education regarding the FY 24 preliminary budget, urging the City to extend funding for education initiatives left out of the preliminary budget and invest in initiatives to support the students with the greatest needs.
AFC testified before New York City Council Committee on General Welfare regarding the need to extend funding for Promise NYC, a crucial initiative that increases access to early childhood programs for children who are undocumented. Without action by the City, funding for this initiative will expire in June, leaving hundreds of children at risk of being turned away from their program.
AFC testified before the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2023–2024 Executive Budget Health Proposal regarding the need for a rate increase for Early Intervention (EI) in the 2023–2024 budget. The Executive Budget proposal does not include any increase or cost-of-living adjustment for EI providers, whose rates today are lower than they were 20 years ago or take any other steps to help address the State’s systemic failure to provide young children with timely access to their legally mandated EI services.