CCC testified at the New York City Council Finance, General Welfare, Women’s Issues and Juvenile Justice Committee hearing on March 15, 2016 regarding the New York City 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, it fails to include 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. Specifically, we look forward to an Executive Budget that makes the investments needed to: improve access to high quality early childhood education and after-school services; support primary preventive services that strengthen families and prevent abuse and neglect; create salary parity and fair benefits for the early childhood providers, and more. Read our full testimony for our detailed recommendations regarding child welfare, juvenile justice, early childhood education, homelessness, and food and economic security.