On February 17, 2022, Senator Jabari Brisport and Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi, along with dozens of elected officials, sent Governor Kathy Hochul The Children and Families Reinvestment Act proposal. This proposed legislation, which has not yet been introduced, would provide increased funding to the state’s child welfare system. The Coalition is proud to endorse this proposed legislation and have affixed our name to the letter.
“We propose that this year’s Final Enacted State Budget include The Children and Families Reinvestment Act and centers children, youth, and families in communities, by:
- Infusing funds directly into chronically underfunded prevention and support programs; ● Establishing a new flexible funding stream to support innovative approaches to child wellbeing and position New York as a national leader; and
- Creating a Universal Child Care System
The Children and Families Reinvestment Act is necessary because a proactive approach with meaningful up-front investments will allow us to create a better New York, without recreating the negative consequences that we know will happen as a result of under-investment. We know that childhood trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (“ACEs”) lead to poor health and mental health outcomes, alcohol and substance use, self-harm, suicide, poor educational outcomes including dropping out of high school, housing insecurity and homelessness, incarceration and unemployment. This year’s New York State budget cannot allow these ACEs to continue as they have. “
READ THE FULL LETTER TO GOVERNOR HOCHUL HERE