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 (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the release of the New York City Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget.
More than 80 organizations are calling on Mayor Adams to include funding in his upcoming Executive Budget to meet the City’s legal obligation to preschoolers with disabilities. Specifically, they are urging the Mayor to continue the $55 million for preschool special education classes that is set to expire in June and to invest at least $70 million to provide preschoolers with disabilities with the evaluations and services they need.
AFC submitted testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth regarding the need for continued funding for critical early childhood care and education programs.
Today, AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) are testifying at the New York City Council Committee on Education’s Preliminary Budget hearing.
Excellent public schools are essential to making New York City an attractive place to live and raise a family and to ensuring a strong foundation for our City’s future. Regardless of what happens at the federal level in the years ahead, it will be essential for New York City Public Schools to remain focused on the critical task of ensuring all young people receive the support they need to learn and thrive. Based on our experience helping thousands of New York City families each year, we urge the next Mayoral Administration to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats to students’ civil rights.
AFC submitted testimony for the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2025–26 State Health Budget, urging the State to invest in Early Intervention, as well as on the child care proposals in the Executive Budget: Human Services.
Today, AFC is testifying at the Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2025–2026 Executive State Budget Proposal for Elementary and Secondary Education.
In response to the release of Mayor Adams’ Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement.
Today, AFC is submitting written comments for the State Early Intervention Coordinating Council meeting, calling on Governor Hochul to move forward immediately with the 5% payment increase for in-person Early Intervention services promised last January to help address the shortage of service providers.
Today, 116 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those who have the greatest needs.