PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Caitlyn Passaretti, Policy and Advocacy Associate at Citizens' Committee for Children of New York on Summer Rising Program
3:12:06
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149 sec
Caitlyn Passaretti from Citizens' Committee for Children of New York testified on the Summer Rising program, emphasizing the need for year-round youth services and addressing operational challenges. She urged for improvements in funding, information sharing, and support for students with disabilities.
- Advocated for baseline and sustainable funding for both DOE and DYCD portions of the program
- Called for better information sharing systems between CBOs and schools for student needs
- Supported bills for mental health services in Beacon and Cornerstone Centers and youth representation
Caitlyn Passaretti
3:12:06
Hello.
3:12:06
Thank you, Chair, Stevens, and Chair, Joseph, and the Children And Youth And Education committees for hosting this hearing.
3:12:12
My name is Caitlin Pasaretti, and I'm a policy and advocacy associate with the Citizens Committee for Children of New York.
3:12:17
We believe every child in New York deserves access to enriching summer programs.
3:12:22
Ideally, we want year round view services, which would permit providers to enroll early, better support staff, families, and youth through the consistency of programming.
3:12:32
Summer programming, as we have heard, can offer art and culture, sports, experiential learning, and academic port essential to children's social emotional development, health and wellness, and academic success across age ranges.
3:12:44
It is also a lifeline for working parents who deeply value having their children engage in programming while they are at work.
3:12:51
The main model available for families for a free summer program is summarizing.
3:12:55
There was an 8% increase in summarizing participants this year, but the demand still far exceeds the available seats.
3:13:02
CTC believes in providing families with a free and affordable, high quality for summer programming for their children.
3:13:09
While we value the expanded access to summer rising services that has occurred, it's also important to acknowledge the severe operational challenges associated with this program.
3:13:19
We urge an enhancement to the summarizing experience by if the program is to continue baseline and find sustainable funding for both DOE and BYCDs portions of the program, creating an information sharing system to help CBS access vital student information such as IEPs, allergies, and the academic curriculum.
3:13:38
Ensure the DOE provides pair of professionals upon requests for students with disabilities who require those service when they are rolled in summarizing for support on day 1.
3:13:48
Additionally, we're very concerned about the lack of data on how the academic proportion of summarizing is rolling out if it's effective and urged the administration to be more transparent about the curriculum.
3:13:59
Therefore, CCC urges city council to look at the city's prior summer model and consider including those models that enabled CEOs to directly meet the diverse needs of their communities with full day enrichment and tandem with an existing program.
3:14:12
Regarding the bills at hand, we support them, especially the men health services in Beacon And Cornerstone Centers and emphasize the need for adequate funding in order to implement these services effectively.
3:14:23
And we also support int 0794 to ensure youth representation in their own support spaces.
3:14:31
Thank you so much for your time, and I appreciate the opportunity to testify.
