Q&A
Q&A on Promise NYC childcare program funding
5:24:29
·
137 sec
Council Member Adams questions Director Jiha about the future funding of the Promise NYC program, which provides childcare for undocumented families.
- Adams highlights that despite the program's success, funding was not included in the budget for fiscal year 2025 and beyond.
- Jiha acknowledges the importance of the program but notes it was funded one year at a time as a joint priority.
- The administration cannot commit to specific funding at this time due to resource constraints.
- Jiha expresses belief that a solution will be found to continue the program, given its importance to both the administration and the council.
Adrienne E. Adams
5:24:29
Okay.
5:24:31
Let's take a look at, children and our youth and, ACS Promise NYC.
5:24:37
At our budget hearing, ACS proclaimed the success of this program, Promise NYC, since it is one of the only sources of childcare for undocumented families.
5:24:48
This program was funded $16,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 for approximately 650 slots as part of negotiations last year and only added 1, only added for 1 year.
5:25:03
Despite the success of this program, the administration did not include these funds for fiscal year 2025 and beyond.
5:25:10
In the budget response, the council called on the administration to increase and expand funding for Promise NYC by adding and baselining $25,000,000 to ACS's budget.
5:25:22
This additional funding was not included in the executive plan, leaving the future of the program uncertain.
5:25:30
If this program is so successful and needed for so many families, what was the reason for not continuing the the program?
Jacques Jiha
5:25:40
Madam speaker, the, this program is very important and, and it's something that is close to my heart.
5:25:49
As I said last year, and we worked with you, to fund this program, but it was a joint priorities of the administration and the council, and it was funded 1 year at a time.
5:25:59
As we get closer to budget adoption, we will, discuss have discussion, meetings with your folks to discuss, what we're going to do about this program going forward.
Adrienne E. Adams
5:26:11
Do we know whether or not funding will be added for Promise NYC?
5:26:14
And do we know how much if so?
Jacques Jiha
5:26:16
As I said, you know, we have a long list of how it is and, with limited resources.
5:26:22
So we're gonna have to juggle what to see exactly how we're going to tackle this going forward.
Adrienne E. Adams
5:26:27
So if the funds aren't budgeted for fiscal year 2025 and beyond, what is gonna happen to the 650 families currently enrolled in the program?
Jacques Jiha
5:26:37
I'm I'm I strongly believe that because you believe in this program and I or and the administration believe in this program, we'll find a way to get this program going.
