Statement on the Speaker’s Call to Fund Elementary School After-School Programs
For Immediate Release: February, 11, 2016 Contact: Morgan Rubin, campaign4childrenpress@gmail.com, 646-517-1813
Campaign for Children Statement on the Speaker’s Call to Fund Elementary School After-School Programs
New York, NY – Following Speaker Mark-Viverito’s State of the City address, the Campaign for Children, a coalition of 150 early childhood education and after-school advocacy and provider organizations, released the following statement:
“We applaud Speaker Mark-Viverito’s commitment to expanding year-round after-school programs for elementary school students. Our survey found that 88% of surveyed after-school providers serving elementary school students have a long wait list — so we know the demand is there, from parents who need to know that their children are safe and learning while they work, and from children who want an enriching environment during the afternoon hours and summer months. Especially as we stand to lose 34,000 slots for summer programs due to cuts in the Preliminary Budget, it is crucial to invest in programs that New York’s children and working families rely on. We look forward to working with the Speaker to ensure after-school and summer programs are available to every child and family in New York City.”
In a separate survey, the Campaign for Children found that 91% of surveyed parents responded that they rely on summer camp to be able to work or go to school.
ABOUT CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN:
The Campaign for Children is a coalition of 150 early childhood education and after-school advocacy and provider organizations, including Citizens’ Committee for Children, The Children’s Aid Society, United Neighborhood Houses NY, Good Shepherd Services, Neighborhood Family Services Coalition, the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Children’s Defense Fund-NY, Day Care Council of New York, UJA-Federation of New York, and YMCA of Greater New York. The Campaign’s advocacy saved child care and after-school programs for more than 47,000 children by securing more than $120 million of one-year City Council discretionary funds for two consecutive years, which then were successfully baselined.
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