CCC testified at the New York City Council Finance and Youth Services Committees hearing on March 18, 2016 regarding the Fiscal Year 2017 Preliminary Budget. The Preliminary Budget proposes to fund a number of previously announced initiatives for children and families, related to education, behavioral health and addressing homelessness. Unfortunately, however, the Preliminary Budget failed to include funding for a number of critical programs and initiatives that are important to addressing income inequality and ensuring the well-being of New York City’s children and youth. Notably, as it relates to Youth Services, it fails to address rates for Beacons, Cornerstone and COMPASS after-school programs, fails to restore or add funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and cuts summer programming for nearly 31,000 middle school students. CCC appreciates the City Council’s long-standing commitment to Youth Services. Countless numbers of children and youth have been able to participate in SYEP and after-school programs, as well as receive the safety and support of the runaway and homeless youth system, because of their relentless advocacy and restorations.

Read our full testimony for CCC’s detailed proposals regarding after-school and summer programming, Summer Youth Employment (SYEP) and runaway and homeless youth.