Stack of books against a blurred background. (Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash)

Policy Resources

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.

Call to Action to Sustain Education Programs Funded with Expiring Federal COVID-19 Relief
  • Sign-On Letter

    • Call to Action to Sustain Education Programs Funded with Expiring Federal COVID-19 Relief

    More than 170 organizations are calling on New York leaders to save critical education programs currently supported by temporary federal stimulus funding set to run dry in 2024.
    Young students sitting in a circle, several raising their hands. (Photo by RDNE Stock project via Pexels)

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    Police Response to Students in Emotional Crisis: A Call for Comprehensive Mental Health and Social-Emotional Support for Students in Police-Free Schools
    Silhouette of a male student walking down a row of books in a library. (Photo by Redd F on Unsplash)
  • Policy Report
    • Police Response to Students in Emotional Crisis: A Call for Comprehensive Mental Health and Social-Emotional Support for Students in Police-Free Schools

    This report explores data on police responses to more than 12,000 “child in crisis” interventions, where a student in emotional distress is removed from class and transported to the hospital for psychological evaluation. A disproportionate share of these interventions involved Black students, students attending District 75 schools, and students attending schools located in low-income communities of color. We call on the City to end the criminalization of students in emotional crisis by eliminating police from schools and investing in behavioral and mental health supports and services.

    Jun 3, 2021

    Advocates Call on DOE to Invest in Supports for Students in Foster Care
    Black male teenager wearing a school uniform and riding a New York City bus. (Photo by Cavan for Adobe, Adobe Stock)
  • Sign-On Letter
    • Advocates Call on DOE to Invest in Supports for Students in Foster Care

    AFC joined 35 child welfare and education organizations to call on Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Porter to invest in support for students in foster care. We’re asking that they provide funding in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget to create a DOE office focused full-time on students in foster care and to guarantee school bus or other door-to-door transportation for students in foster care who need it to maintain school stability.

    Jun 1, 2021

    AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2022 Executive Budget
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2022 Executive Budget

    AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Finance on the Executive Budget, outlining our priorities for the historic influx of education funding from the state and federal governments. The City must use that funding effectively to provide needed academic and social-emotional support, incorporating outreach to students and families who have not yet re-engaged and specialized support for students who need it.

    May 25, 2021

    Building a Network of Support: The Case for a DOE Office for Students in Foster Care
    Students line up on socially distanced dots painted on the sidewalk to wait their turn to have their temperatures checked before entering Middletown High School.
  • Policy Report
    • Building a Network of Support: The Case for a DOE Office for Students in Foster Care

    This May 2021 AFC and Legal Aid Society report highlights the urgent need for the Department of Education to launch a small office focused solely on the needs of students in foster care. Currently, the DOE does not have an office, team, or even a single staff member dedicated to supporting the 6,000 New York City youth in foster care, a group of students particularly in need of specialized support.

    May 4, 2021

    AFC Urges DOE to Follow NYSED Guidance and Extend Eligibility to Students at Risk of Aging Out
    Teenage girl talking with teacher while sitting in classroom (Photo by Cavan for Adobe, Adobe Stock)
  • Press Statement
    • AFC Urges DOE to Follow NYSED Guidance and Extend Eligibility to Students at Risk of Aging Out

    Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to new State guidance strongly encouraging school districts to provide over-age high school students the opportunity to return to school next year to finish meeting requirements for a high school diploma, diploma endorsement or exit credential.

    Apr 15, 2021

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