Youth Deserve So Much More: Coalition Rallies for a Better Foster Care System

Anna Sanchez, Youth Advocate

Ivan Mendez, Youth Advocate

CITY HALL―Today, Council Members were joined by a coalition of youth, advocates, and agencies, united in support of legislation to strengthen New York City’s foster care system for nearly 10,000 children and youth. 
 
“There is a strong urgency in this process,” said youth advocate Anna Sanchez. “I spend my time advocating for youth currently in care who don’t understand something that I never had the chance to experience at their age: a chance to have a family. I am someone who knows what it’s like to be in the system and I passionately believe that youth in care deserve to have so much more. I fully agree with all of the bills being considered because they will contribute to a more positive outcome for youth in care.”
 
“As a youth who stems from the foster care system and as an advocate for youth, I can say with the utmost confidence that youth in care do not know that family is their right,” said youth advocate Ivan Mendez.  “It is imperative that we pass these bills in order to help establish stability for youth currently in care.”
 
The proposed legislation would establish new feedback systems and guarantee the necessary data to push for systemic reforms at the state level and ultimately, comprehensive services here in New York City:

• Create a taskforce to recommend improvements to our foster care system that will include experts such as child advocates and foster youth (Intro 1192);
• Implement a survey for children and youth in care regarding experiences with foster parents (Intro 1199);
• Call on the New York State legislature to improve a housing subsidy used by former foster youth in order to reduce their risk of homelessness as they age out of care (Res 1073);
• Ensure we have the necessary data to push for systemic reforms, especially regarding educational continuity; incidences of abuse and neglect; and barriers to permanent placement (Intro 1190; Intro 1196;Intro 1191);
• Expand reporting on foster care regarding graduation success; attainment of government-issued identification; and the number of youth who have aged out of care and who enter a homeless shelter or receive financial assistance such as SNAP benefits (Intro 1205; Intro 1187; Intro 1197).

Council Members developed many of the bills following the Council’s Foster Youth Shadow Day in November. During the event and in follow-up meetings, youth shared ideas about improving foster care in New York City, informed by their own experiences of the system.

“Children and youth in the City’s care are some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers and it our collective responsibility to ensure that each of them has a safe, loving home and access to comprehensive services,” said Council Member Levin, Chair of the Committee on General Welfare. “These bills are especially important because many of them are a direct response to the firsthand experiences of youth in care. I look forward to continuing to work with these young people, as well as advocates, agencies, and my City Council colleagues to positively impact the foster care system.”

“The very system that is meant to protect our children is failing them,” saidPublic Advocate Letitia James. “This package of bills is an important first step to overhaul our City’s broken system and provide the protections that our children need and deserve. I want to thank Council Members Ferreras-Copeland and Levin for their partnership on this issue. We must continue to focus on our children, protect them from harm, and ensure that we transform our system to one that protects and cares for our most vulnerable children.”
 
“Our foster care youth are some of the most vulnerable populations in our city and after participating in Foster Youth Shadow Day last year, it became clear that we should be doing a lot more as a city to protect them,” said Council Member Donovan Richards. “This package of bills is focused on finding the holes in foster care and improving the lives of foster youth, which will ensure that they are no longer left behind in New York City. I'd like to thank Council Member Levin and all my colleagues for working together to secure a better future for children in the foster care system.”

While the number of children in foster care has decreased significantly in the past year, it stands that children in New York City’s system spend almost twice the amount of time in care than children in the rest of the country – 3.2 years versus 1.7 years. There is still much more to be done so that the nearly 10,000 New York City children and youth in care can receive vital services and return to their families or be adopted by lifetime families. The bills considered today underscore areas where data is needed to improve service delivery, such as education and housing.
 
 “All children, teenagers, and young adults deserve to have access to supportive resources, and it is crucial that New York City’s foster care system is improved so that it adequately addresses the needs of our young people in foster care,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Chairman of the Youth Services Committee.
“This is a package of common-sense legislation that aims to ensure we are supporting our most important asset – our young people,” saidCouncilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr.
 
“Every youth, irrespective of their socioeconomic status or background, deserves an equal opportunity to succeed as scholars and professionals. With nearly 10,000 children and youth under the care of the Administration for Children’s Services, we must ensure that the proper resources are in place to support their continued growth and development within and beyond the foster care system,” said Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo.  “Through the unwavering commitment and dedication of our city’s advocates, I am proud to introduce legislation in June that will strengthen one of my first bills that was enacted in 2014 by disaggregating the number of foster care youth in high school and on track to graduate in four years by age.”

 “Often times, the most vulnerable of our citizens are the ones who suffer the most, due to being lost within the maze of bureaucracy. I am proud to support this package of legislative initiatives that aims to cultivate a more comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of at-risk children in our city's foster care system. These bills – collectively – seek to encourage a more functional system by mandating more accountability, more transparency, and more coordination between the myriad agencies that are on the front lines of servicing our foster children,” said Council Member Annabel Palma. 

It is also essential to reduce the number of youth who age out of foster care without permanent family. In 2015, over 650 young people aged out of foster care, starting adulthood without family or ACS support. The majority of young people, including those that did not grow up in the foster care system, are nowhere near ready to be fully financially independent at 21 – and yet that is exactly what we expect of young people who age out of the foster care system.
 
“I am happy to support these bills, which will provide much needed information about foster care and the young people in the system,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland. “We must work together so that all youth receive the support they need to be successful, and these bills will provide us with the data necessary to make the necessary reforms. I also thank Public Advocate James and Council Member Levin for their leadership on this legislation.”
 
“This joint effort to strengthen NYC's foster care system will improve the lives of thousands of young New Yorkers,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “My legislation will help these youth obtain identification by improving Administration for Children's Services reporting practices. I am proud to be part of this work which will ensure that all those in foster care have equal access to city services.” 

“The foster care system is entrusted with the safety and care of some of our most vulnerable children. It’s important that we, as a City, properly protect and care for them. This package of bills will strengthen the foster care system by providing much needed oversight,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik.

Advocates and agencies stood with Council Members to offer praise for the legislative package:
“We greatly appreciate the growing interest from the Council in ensuring the well-being and quality outcomes for foster youth, and look forward to working with Chairman Levin and his colleagues on these critical matters,” said Jim Purcell, CEO of the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA), which represents nearly all New York State nonprofit organizations that provide foster care, adoption, and family preservation services. 
 
“The power of data cannot be understated, particularly when it is critical information about foster children and youth who are literally in custody of the City of New York. We are honored to join our colleagues in the City Council, the Public Advocate, child welfare providers, and youth who have been in the child welfare system, to support this package of bills that will provide New Yorkers with more information about the needs of foster children and their families. CCC and others will be able to use this information to better focus our federal, state and local advocacy efforts to resolve the barriers we see in the data,” said Stephanie Gendell, Associate Executive Director, Policy and Advocacy, Citizens’ Committee for Children.

Council Members Levin and Grodenchik’s Statement on Emergency Food Assistance Program Funding Doubling to $16M in Executive Budget

“Council Member Stephen Levin and I are proud to announce that the 2017 city budget will include $16 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP), double the initial amount. We extend our gratitude to Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her leadership on this life-saving issue and to our colleagues, forty-eight of whom signed on to our letter calling on the mayor to increase the funding for EFAP” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik.

“Food insecurity can be found in every corner of our city, and the increase to $16 million for emergency food will go very far to ensure that food pantries and soup kitchens will be better able to feed hungry New Yorkers. As we’ve said throughout the budget process, no New Yorker should have to go to bed hungry, and I applaud the decision to meet this critical and growing need,” said Council Member Stephen T. Levin, Chair of the General Welfare Committee.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program will benefit over 1.4 million people, or one in six New Yorkers, who depend on food banks and soup kitchens. New York City is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, and it is imperative that individuals and families across all five boroughs have access to nutritious food.

A Personal Note from Steve

Hi Everyone,
 
Just a quick personal note I thought I would share.  A week and a half ago I woke up in the middle of night with chest pains and made a split second decision that I should get myself to the ER.  I decided to go the NYU Cobble Hill Emergency Department, which we all know as the former LICH.  When I got there it wasn't terribly busy, and I have to say that I was very happy with the service I got. I was hooked up to an EKG within ten minutes, and the staff was knowledgeable and courteous.  It turns out I was fine (probably just acid reflux) and I was out the door within 2 and half hours.
 
I know we all dedicated a lot of blood, sweat and tears to keeping LICH open and the outcome was very disappointing for many of us. But I do feel comfortable saying that if you live nearby and are having a medical emergency, the NYU Cobble Hill Emergency Department is a good place to go. 
 
Thanks,
Steve

Council Members and Advocates Call on New York State to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence

FEPS State rental assistance helps prevent homelessness and transition homeless families from shelters, but unfairly excludes those fleeing Domestic Violence

NEW YORK – Today, a coalition including Council Members Stephen Levin, Laurie Cumbo, Helen Rosenthal, and Brad Lander called on Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature to help New Yorkers who lack stable housing by passing legislation that would expand eligibility for the Family Eviction Prevention Subsidy (FEPS) and fully fund the FEPS rental assistance program. FEPS is a housing subsidy provided by New York State to help prevent evictions and reduce homelessness by providing rental subsidies to families in need. 
 
Council Members Laurie Cumbo and Helen Rosenthal, Co-Chairs of the Women's Caucus, Stephen Levin, Chair of the General Welfare Committee, and Brad Lander announced support for new legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi that would expand FEPS eligibility to include survivors of domestic violence, and increase the maximum rental assistance available to households in the program.

FEPS can be used to retain a current apartment or to move to a new one, but wrongly excludes families that are forced to flee from their homes as a result of domestic violence. Currently to be eligible, a family must be sued for nonpayment of rent, have been evicted, or live in housing that is subject to a current vacate order or foreclosure.
 
The coalition also called on New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and State Legislative leaders to not delay further and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this week to fully fund FEPS and pass legislation that will expand FEPS eligibility. If New York State were to invest $8M in the FEPS program, the City and Federal Governments would commit $55M in matching funds. 
 
“Domestic violence is one of the most common causes of homelessness and it is imperative that it is a priority of our State government to provide vulnerable families safe and stable shelter,” said Council Member Stephen Levin, Chair of the General Welfare Committee. “I applaud Assemblyman Hevesi’s critical legislation to rightly allow survivors of domestic violence to qualify for rental assistance and call on Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to take immediate action to ensure those impacted by family and intimate partner violence have the support they need to move forward.” 
 
“Women and children who are victims of domestic violence are at their most vulnerable in the first days and weeks after losing their home. The first step to getting them back on their feet is putting a roof over their head,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus. “Victims of domestic violence end up in our homeless shelters, and the easy fix is Assemblyman Hevesi's legislation. I urge the Senate and the Governor to pass this legislation. Providing housing subsidies will get victims of domestic violence on the road to stability.”
 
“No one should have to choose between a perpetual cycle of violence or homelessness,” said Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus. “With over 60,000 homeless New Yorkers, most of whom are women and children, it is our collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable population and provide them with a pathway towards independence. We must face facts – domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families and intimate partner violence is the leading cause of female homicide. In order to save lives and end homelessness, we must invest in programs that provide supportive services such as rental assistance. I urge Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature to expand the eligibility criteria of the Family Eviction Prevention Subsidy to include survivors of domestic violence who deserve equal treatment and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
 
With expanded eligibility and increased subsidy levels for FEPS, roughly 1,600 additional households could avoid or end homelessness in just one year. 
 
The legislation introduced by the Chairman of the Assembly Social Services Committee, Andrew Hevesi would also authorize a municipality to provide a total rent allowance up to the Section 8 rent levels, which are based on fair market rents established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and average about $1515 per month for a family. The current maximum subsidy allowed by New York State is approximately just $1000, which is too little for the New York City rental market.
 
Nathaniel Fields, President & CEO, Urban Resource Institute said, “We know that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, 2 out of 3 women murdered is because of domestic violence and that the leading cause of homelessness for women and children is domestic violence. As we work together to help survivors get back on their feet, a variety of housing options such as City FEPS are needed so they can secure, safe, permanent housing for themselves and their families.”
 
“Access to safe and stable housing is a major predictor of whether or not a domestic violence survivor succeeds in staying safe and on her own, said Judge Judy Harris Kluger, Executive Director of Sanctuary for Families. “Yet, victims of domestic violence are routinely denied access to State subsidized rental assistance programs – the result of misguided eligibility restrictions.  As one of the State’s largest service providers and advocates for victims of gender violence, Sanctuary for Families is proud to stand with Council Members Stephen Levin, Laurie Cumbo, and Helen Rosenthal and the de Blasio Administration in support of legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi that will fix this unintended loophole. We also urge our leaders in Albany to invest the $8.3 million in critically needed funding in housing programs that will keep vulnerable New Yorkers safe and alive.” 
 
“As the nation’s leading victim assistance organization, Safe Horizon is proud to stand with Council Members Cumbo, Levin and Rosenthal to urge State lawmakers to make needed changes to FEPS eligibility and funding levels.  It is critically important that survivors of domestic violence and their families are able to access safe, affordable housing as quickly as possible,” said Michael Polenberg, Vice President of Government Affairs, Safe Horizon. “Assembly Member Hevesi’s legislation will help increase these options and allow many survivors to bypass shelter and relocate directly into housing.  We commend Assembly Member Hevesi for his efforts and call on the full legislature to send this bill to the Governor without further delay.”
 
“Families fleeing domestic violence, like those facing eviction, need help with securing stable housing and avoiding homelessness. The State must step up and permit programs that are already in place to serve the most vulnerable families so they can exit the shelter system and back on their feet,” said Judith Goldiner, Attorney in Charge, Civil Law Reform, The Legal Aid Society.

Council Member Levin Applauds Mayor de Blasio's Action on Bushwick Inlet Park

The Williamsburg and Greenpoint communities are beyond overjoyed that the de Blasio administration has taken the historic step of allocating $100,000,000 for the acquisition of the CitiStorage parcels to complete the Bushwick Inlet Park that was promised to us over 11 years ago.  Mayor de Blasio and his administration listened to the community, and their commitment in this budget allocation is proof that they see the vital importance of keeping the City’s word once given. 

This decision will have an impact for generations to come, not only through expanding much needed public space, but also by setting a precedent for future administrations and their commitments made to the public.  New Yorkers can look to this fair offer as evidence that, under the de Blasio administration, when the City makes an obligation to infrastructure improvements as part of the land use process — as it committed to Bushwick Inlet Park as part of the 2005 Williamsburg-Greenpoint Rezoning — the City keeps that promise. 

I also want to thank and acknowledge the countless community residents that have advocated for this for over ten years.

I believe that the owners of the CitiStorage parcel should accept this very generous and fair offer by the City, so that we can get started on building out this glorious park that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

48 Council Members Call on Mayor to Increase Emergency Food Funding

Today, 48 Council Members called on Mayor de Blasio to increase funding for emergency food in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget. The letter, authored by Council Members Levin and Grodenchik, highlighted that more than 1.4 million New Yorkers depend on emergency food to survive, accessing healthy, nutritious food through providers such as food pantries and soup kitchens. Meals provided include all five food groups and meet the City’s rigorous nutrition standards. The program is also an important source of emergency food that is kosher and that meets halal standards.
 
Increased funding is critical to meet the growing demand for emergency food by New Yorkers in need. Since November 2013, the need for emergency food has escalated dramatically. Because of cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, vulnerable New Yorkers have lost more than 116 million meals annually. Demonstrably, emergency food providers reported that in 2015, their resources have often been depleted:

• Nearly half of providers ran out of food for adequate pantry bags or meals;
• Providers had to turn away 10 percent more hungry New Yorkers due to food shortages; and
• 45% of food pantries had to reduce the amount of food in pantry bags.

However, rather than growing to meet demand, the amount allocated to emergency food in the Mayor’s budget has been reduced to Fiscal Year 2015 levels. This reduction leaves the program ill-equipped to address a growing need across the five boroughs. In fact, New York City faces an annual meal gap of 241 million meals annually. I will continue to advocate for funding that will close this meal gap and ensure that no New Yorker is turned away from the food that they and their families need to survive.

Riverkeeper Sweep Recap

This year's Riverkeep Sweep was a resounding success. Thousands of volunteers removed tons of trash and debris from our waterways. The annual event's 5th iteration took place in more than 100 locations throughout the city, including many along the Brooklyn coast. Our volunteers provided some photos in the hope it will encourage even more people to take part next year. 

No New Yorker Should Go To Bed Hungry

Council Members and Community Call for Increase in Critical Funding for Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP)

CITY HALL - Today, New York City Council Members, emergency food providers, and residents from across the city stood united on the steps of City Hall with a simple message: “No New Yorker should have to go to bed hungry.”

More than one million residents, or 16 percent of the city, rely on providers such as a food pantry or soup kitchen for emergency food. Over 500 organizations that provide millions of meals a year to families face substantial underfunding while the demand for their services continues to grow. In order to adequately meet the pressing need, Council Members and advocates called for funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) to be increased to $22 million in baseline funding. The Executive Budget reduces EFAP funding to an FY 2015 level of $8.2 million.

We need to stand united against hunger. Millions of New Yorkers rely on meals from food banks and soup kitchens, and the need is greater than ever before. Underfunding has already resulted in food banks turning some families away when supplies run out. If we do not increase our commitment to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, we risk more families going home hungry. No family should have to choose between paying for necessary expenses and being able to eat. We have the means to provide adequate funding that will ensure no New Yorker is turned away from help when it is needed the most.

Op-Ed: Half of NYC's early childhood educators get low pay and benefits

Credit: CHRISTIE M FARRIELLA/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Council Members Stephen Levin, Cumbo, and Daneek Miller write op-ed calling for salary parity

New York City’s relatively new universal pre-K initiative is, by many counts, a striking success. Free, full-day classes are available to every 4-year-old in the city. Over 68,000 children are enrolled — triple the rate from just a few years ago. National observers say that New York City has effectively set the standard for how to do pre-K, dwarfing enrollment figures in other cities and states. New York City has also been a national leader in the fight for a $15 minimum wage.

We applaud the de Blasio administration for these significant achievements.

Despite these successes, there is one thing that is not universal about New York City’s pre-K, and that is how we pay our educators. Over half of the city’s pre-K teachers, support staff and administrators are paid significantly less than they should be: A certified teacher with five years of experience working in a community-based organization makes $17,000 less than a teacher with the same credentials and experience who is working in the public schools. With 10 years of experience, the gap doubles to $34,000.

Similar salary, as well as benefit, disparities exist for all early childhood staff and teachers in early childhood programs serving younger children year-round.

This means that many community-based educators are themselves living in poverty while performing the important task of educating low-income children. We have heard from an upsetting number of early childhood educators who live off food stamps, who are unable to pay rent or who can’t afford health insurance. A disproportionate number of them are women of color.

Meantime, their peers earn significantly higher salaries and better benefits.

These disparities are not only unfair, but they are triggering high turnover rates and risking a shortage of qualified teachers in the city’s most vulnerable communities. We know the mayor is working hard to tackle economic inequality — which is why we must address the fundamentally unequal pay structure and benefits that threaten the long-term sustainability of a potentially historic program.

Over the past several months, we and our fellow elected officials have joined advocates, parents and educators to call on the city to address this unsustainable rift in its hallmark initiative.

All early educators — whether they are public school employees or employees of community organizations with city contracts — are working with equal dedication toward the city’s ambitious goal for its youngest learners. The city should pay them all equally.

Standing Together: Council Member Levin on Brooklyn Bridge Park Development

From the Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

A standing-room-only crowd filled St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church on Montague Street for a town hall held Wednesday night to update Brooklyn Heights residents about raging development controversies in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

These include two controversial towers at the Pier 6 end of the park – which advocates say are unnecessary to support the park -- the mountain-sized Pierhouse hotel/residential complex, which appears to be jutting into the protected Scenic View District, and the partial blocking of the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the Promenade.

Councilmember Levin said it was remarkable how many people were involved in these issues. “Look at this – hundreds of people. It’s galvanized the community.”

In an affidavit in support of the case filed by Save The View Now, Levin, who sits on the board of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation (BBPC), said that board members were never given important information about decisions made by the developer regarding how the Scenic View District sightlines were calculated.

The Scenic View District is a fan-shaped area extending from the Promenade with sightlines including Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and East River bridges. According to the coalition lawsuit, a 20-foot section of the Pierhouse hotel/residential complex under construction at Pier 1 juts into the Scenic View District.

While the Zoning Resolution mandates that “Point A,” used to calculate the district, be located along the western face of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the developer chose to locate that point “in the middle of thin air hanging over the BQE [Brooklyn-Queens Expressway],” Levin said, allowing Pierhouse to encroach into the protected area.

“We’re still awaiting the response of [State Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Knipel],” Levin said. “I’m hopeful ultimately truth will prevail.”