QUESTION
What are the fiscal year 2024 and 2025 budgets for We Speak NYC, and how is the program evolving?
2:33:41
·
4 min
The fiscal year 2024 budget for We Speak NYC is $873,000, while for fiscal year 2025, it sees a reduction to $617,665 due to budgetary adjustments, with the program undergoing significant changes to increase accessibility and content levels.
- For fiscal year 2024, We Speak NYC is allocated $873,000, and for fiscal year 2025, the budget is set at $617,665, indicating a reduction attributed to budgetary adjustments.
- Classroom materials have historically been intermediate level, but efforts are underway to introduce beginner level content to cater to both newly arrived and long-term immigrants.
- A pilot program launched on February 1st enables Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to receive funding for English, Amoyant English learning and support centers, with 10 CBOs currently participating.
- Another pilot with three library systems began on March 1st to provide classes using the We Speak curriculum, expected to expand to 60 libraries across the five boroughs.
Alexa Avilés
2:33:41
What is the fiscal 24 adopted budget and fiscal 25 preliminary budget for we speak NYC.
Manuel Castro
2:33:50
I'll let Jess speak to the to the budget in one second.
Jasniya Sanchez
2:34:00
Okay.
2:34:01
Thank you so much.
2:34:03
For FY 24, we have been budgeted at $873,000.
2:34:11
And then for FY 25, we are budgeted at 617,606 65.
2:34:21
And this is due to, you know, to the pack.
2:34:25
And so we were packed under the under the program for FY 25.
Alexa Avilés
2:34:30
I'm so sorry.
2:34:31
Can you repeat the second half of that?
Jasniya Sanchez
2:34:34
Sure.
2:34:36
So for 425?
Alexa Avilés
2:34:38
Yes.
Jasniya Sanchez
2:34:39
We are budgeted for $617,000, 665.
2:34:46
And, you know, because we were packed for, you know, for that program.
2:34:51
So we we had we we had a
Alexa Avilés
2:34:55
So that was a a cut due to the peg.
2:34:57
Mhmm.
2:34:59
And in terms of the the what's the status of the we speak?
2:35:03
Program.
2:35:05
Is it available in the HERX?
Jasniya Sanchez
2:35:08
So, historically, the program has been volunteered.
2:35:15
Meaning, like, you know, that any institution and nonprofit that was interested in providing classes would have access to our We speak material for free.
2:35:29
Right?
2:35:29
We would provide technical assistance, and, essentially, we would train them, and they would do it on their own.
2:35:34
This fiscal year, we have been shifting the way that we actually manage this program and make it accessible.
2:35:45
To, you know, to communities.
2:35:49
You know, folks can still ask for this service, right, CDOs, can still provide the service completely voluntary.
2:35:58
But recently, on February 1st, we launched the pilot program for English, Amoyant English learning and support centers at CPOs.
2:36:10
Currently, the pilot is housed at 10 CBOs.
2:36:15
So they're getting funding to be able to provide these classes.
2:36:19
Also, in March 1st, on March 1st, we officially started the pilot with all three library systems to actually provide these classes using our our we speak curriculum as well.
2:36:38
And we anticipate that for this pilot also with the libraries, we are gonna have at least, you know, 60 libraries all across the five borrowers providing these classes.
2:36:53
And on top of that, what I want to also share that we're very excited that we have been also working on and I think briefly the commissioner mentioned this, we speak material usually was always intermediate level.
2:37:11
So in the past year end change, our team has been working to develop the beginner level material, which is what we have been using to roll out as part of these pilots.
2:37:23
And, again, to to be able to support support not only the silence their population that has recently arrived, but also longer term immigrants that, you know, that can utilize that level.
2:37:37
So we are growing and shifting the way in which we that we manage this program.
Alexa Avilés
2:37:45
So thank you.
2:37:47
It's exciting.