Cuomo Budget Slashes $ for Kids, Say Activists

By JEREMY MYRTHIL

A group of welfare activists attacked Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget cuts to  city child welfare agencies on Thursday, saying that they would “devastate the lives of children and families”.

Led by Stephanie Gendell, associate executive director for Citizens’ Committee for Children’s policy and advocacy, dozens of rally-goers crowded the steps of City Hall chanting their frustrations against the proposed budget cuts.

Gendell provided context to those chants, stating that $129 million in State child welfare funding for New York would be cut in 2019 if the Cuomo budget passes.

“New York City children are New Yorkers, too”, Gendell said, referring to the State’s protective and preventive service agencies that were established to aid tens of thousands of children a year.

Those agencies would experience severe budget cuts, the activists said. According to a press release written by ACS Commissioner David A. Hansell, 50 percent of the child welfare funding and 45 percent of funds for preventive programs such as family counseling and substance abuse treatment.

A number of speakers – child welfare activists who are associated with the city’s Administration for Children’s Services – emphasized the impact it could have on the children receiving these services.

Wayne Ho, President and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council, indicated that the estimated $129 million budget cut could “devastate families”, as it would stymie finances for preventive services. Ho also suggested the State remove the cap on child welfare.

New York City Council member Stephen Levin said that child welfare aid was “essential funding” that provides the city with the necessary resources to provide children with outreach and protection.

“Children should not be put in the middle of politics”, Councilman Jumaane Williams said.

“It doesn’t seem progressive at all,” Williams added, “at a time where we’re trying to prove how progressive we are.”