REMARKS
Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez introduces the newborn navigator act
0:26:53
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Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez presents the newborn navigator act, a legislation aimed at providing essential resources to new parents and guardians in New York City. She emphasizes the importance of this act in addressing the infant mortality crisis and supporting families during the critical postpartum period.
- The act will create a user-friendly online platform connecting new parents with crucial support services.
- It will leverage both government resources and the network of nonprofits working in this field.
- The legislation was inspired by personal experiences and aims to make accessing resources easier for all new parents.
Jennifer Gutiérrez
0:26:53
Thank you, majority leader.
0:26:55
Today, I'm proud to pass the newborn navigator act, a vital piece of legislation that will help ensure that new parents and guardians in New York City have the essential resources they need during one of the most critical times in their lives or the 4th trimester.
0:27:09
We cannot afford to let more parents and infants fall through the cracks because of bureaucracy or outdated systems.
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The data is clear.
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Internal mortality is a crisis and far too many tragedies occur in the 1st 6 weeks postpartum when parents are at their most vulnerable.
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This is about saving lives.
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Inspired by my district director, Angelica Cologne, who's here today, who faced these challenges firsthand, The bill is a common sense tech driven solution.
0:27:36
As she shared, leaving the hospital as a second time mom, she did not have the resources she needed despite her years of experience working in city government, and that is just unacceptable.
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Through this legislation, we will leverage technology to make accessing resources as easy as a few clicks, and we bring in the massive infrastructure of nonprofits that are doing this work with compassion and efficiency.
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The Department of Health will develop comprehensive materials, and a user friendly online platform to connect new parents with crucial support.
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Not just from the government, but from the vast network of nonprofits doing this work, covering everything from child safety information to mental health services.
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The newborn navigator act is an investment in our families and our future.
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It's affordable, it's practical, and it's exactly the kind of investment we should be making without delay.
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I want to thank Brooklyn Barrel president Antonio Reynosa for his partnership in this work and for his dedication to reducing maternal more holiday.
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This is just one of the many steps we are taking to support the well-being of New Yorkers, particularly our most vulnerable.
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And I wanna thank speaker Adams, chair Lewis, and once again, just wanna shout out.
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Angela Cajon, who's been working tirelessly for a district for many years, and this is very personal, and I'm very proud of her.
0:28:48
And thank you all for your support.