Immigrant Advocates and Elected Officials Rally for Early Childhood Funding in NYC Budget

New York, NY: On Tuesday, June 13, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Campaign for Children, elected officials, member organizations, allies, and immigrant New Yorkers rallied and held a press conference in City Hall Park.

Nearly a third of all parents of children under five years old in New York City are Limited English Proficient (LEP). Immigrant parents want to enroll their kids in early education programs that will get them on the right path for school, but significant barriers exist for many of these families. That is why New York City must invest $4 million in a city-wide expansion of the Linking Immigrant Families to Early Childhood Education (LIFE) Project, a proven early childhood outreach, application and enrollment support program specifically designed to meet the needs of LEP and digitally disconnected families, to address these barriers. The City must also fund $20 million in the successful Promise NYC program so undocumented families continue to have access to quality childcare. The

NYC FY24 budget must also bolster the overall early childhood system to achieve pay equity for the early childhood workforce, on-site and year-round enrollment, protection of current 3-K seats, restoration of the 3-K expansion timeline, and expanded access to infant and toddler care and year-round programs.

“The City budget must meet the needs of undocumented children and their families who rely on these programs to pro- vide safe, enriching care for their children while their families work. By delegating $20 million for the Promise NYC program, the Mayor and City Council can ensure that young children, regardless of status, will have the opportunity for care, especially those from families seeking asylum who are building new lives as New Yorkers. To fulfill the gold star promise of 3-K for all, every child should have an early childhood seat available in their neighborhood with proper outreach, on time payments to providers, and a living wage for care workers,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.

"Access to quality early childhood education is not just an investment in our children; it is an investment in the future of our city,” said Councilmember Rita Joseph, Education Committee Chair, District 40. “By ensuring that all New Yorkers have access and equal opportunity to early learning, we will pave the way for a stronger, more equitable society that thrives on the foundation of knowledge, compassion, and endless possibilities."

“From Promise NYC to Pre-K seats for our immigrant families, advocates have fought for years to create vital problems for our immigrant neighbors. But despite years of advocacy, these problems lack the funding to reach and fully empower immigrant families,” said Councilmember Shahana Hanif, Immigration Committee Chair, District 39. “Ensuring equitable, full investments in these crucial programs ensure the safecontinued on page 6

Early Childhood Funding continued from page 5 ty and dignity of thousands of immigrant families in our City. Childcare investments are essential to gender justice, and I’m proud to fight for them alongside Council Member Caban, Comptroller Lander, as well as dozens of immigration and early childhood advocates.”

"During FY23, the successful roll out of Promise NYC ensured that all children and families were provided the quality care and education that they deserve,” said Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, District 22. As we look ahead to FY24, the city must not only maintain but expand funding for critical early childhood education and care vouchers for children. Today we call on the Mayor’s administration to redouble its efforts to support the continued arrival of families as they seek asylum."

"As a mother of four, building a brighter future for all New Yorkers begins with nurturing and investing in our youth. Our City Council will continue advocating for essential funding and resources that create an early childhood education system that leaves no child behind and forges a path forward where every family flourishes. By increasing funding for vital programs, New York City can set a precedent across the nation that Universal Childcare can be realized and that parents will no longer have to choose between their job and childcare,” said Councilmember Julie Menin, District 5.

“As we head into the final weeks of the NYC budget, it is critical that we bolster and expand our early childhood system rather than diminish it. By doubling funding for Promise NYC and investing $4M in the LIFE project, as well as make common sense changes to increase access to the system, we can create a welcoming early childhood system that supports all our youngest New Yorkers,” said Councilmember Chi Ossé, District 36.

“Organizations like the New York Immigration Coalition are doing the important work of raising awareness and connecting communities to programs like 3K and childcare. Their community efforts identify gaps in access and outreach, and their advocacy has improved worker conditions. I’m proud to support