Tell city leaders to reverse cuts to early childhood and youth services

Tell city leaders to reverse cuts to early childhood and youth services

The early education and youth service systems are facing budget cuts of historic magnitude. These cuts will decimate systems and services essential to child and youth development, wellbeing, and are central to parental workforce attachment and economic recovery.   

High-quality birth-to-twelve child care is essential to the lives of families; offering parents and caretakers the freedom and flexibility to work, and giving children the opportunity to develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Unfortunately, too many families throughout the city face barriers accessing child care, and looming cuts to early education and youth services will have devastating effects on existing care. CCC’s recent data report on the affordability of birth-to-12 care in New York City revealed that around 80% of families in New York City cannot afford care for their children across the age continuum. Barriers to accessing care only further hinder children’s participation in social and academic programs and parents’ ability to work and earn a living. At a time when access to care is so crucial, the mayoral administration cuts in the Preliminary Budget would eliminate infant and toddler care, 3 K and PreK, and Summer Rising and COMPASS after school programs.

Affordable and high-quality care is essential to New Yorkers and we need your help to ensure that city leaders reject proposed budget cuts and protect investments in the FY’25 Adopted Budget. View the Campaign 4 Children’s letter to the Administration demanding a full restoration of cuts and to address operational impediments to access here and a visualization of the harmful impact of early care cuts here. Please take a few minutes to submit the letter below to your city leaders.