New York, NY — The Mayor’s State of the City address today emphasized the important responsibility our leaders have to protect the vulnerable, support families and ensure that all New Yorkers are able to live the life they deserve. We applaud Mayor de Blasio’s leadership in promoting economic mobility and making our city more livable with efforts to improve access to affordable transportation options, retirement plans, health care, early education, and more. We also applaud the Mayor’s attention to the concerns of residents in some of the communities where we know the needs of children and families are great – whether that be through ferry service from the North Shore of Staten Island to midtown Manhattan, or the expansion of 3-K to communities like Washington Heights, South Bronx, East New York, Staten Island, Bushwick, and Soundview.

As we approach the City budget process in the coming weeks, we have the opportunity to go farther and deeper on some of these important reforms in order to make sure that we are truly achieving an ambitious and worthwhile vision of becoming “the fairest big city in the country”. Among the most pressing priorities, we urge the mayor to take immediate action to:

Promote Economic Equity and School Preparedness by addressing the salary disparities in the early childhood workforce. We cannot in good conscience fully celebrate the success of universal Pre-K and new 3-K expansion efforts while teachers at CBOs continue to earn $30,000 to $40,000 less than their DOE peers. Salary parity must be a part of early education expansion and transition efforts.

Combat Family Homelessness by increasing affordable housing set-asides for homeless families, expanding prevention and aftercare services, and baselining and increasing investments in Bridging the Gap social workers in schools with high numbers of homeless students.

Promote School Success by building on after-school successes, offering universal after-school to elementary students as well as middle schoolers and ensuring that all after-school programs include a summer component.

Encourage Inclusive Community Development by deepening the engagement of New Yorkers to ensure that community voices inform new job creation, transportation, affordable housing, and community infrastructure initiatives.

About Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York

Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York educates and mobilizes New Yorkers to make the city a better place for children. Since 1944, our advocacy has combined public policy research and data analysis with citizen action. We cast light on the issues, educate the public, engage allies, and identify and promote practical solutions to ensure that every New York City child is healthy, housed, educated and safe. For more information on CCC, visit our web site at www.cccnewyork.org. Stay up to date on the latest news and information regarding the well-being of New York City’s children by following us on Facebook and Twitter.