PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Faith Behum, Manager of Public Policy and Government Relations at UJA Federation of New York
3:20:48
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3 min
Faith Behum from UJA Federation of New York testified about the Summer Rising program and provided recommendations for strengthening future free summer programs in New York City. She emphasized the need for both Summer Rising and traditional full-day summer camp models to be supported, highlighting challenges with the current system and suggesting improvements.
- Recommended giving CBOs more autonomy over the enrollment process, including access to waitlists and direct enrollment options
- Called for establishing baseline funding levels for both DOE and DYCD portions of summer programming, and transitioning to 12-month contracts for better planning
- Highlighted issues with prompt compensation for CBOs and the need for better information sharing systems for students with disabilities
Faith Behum
3:20:48
Thank you, Tara Stevens.
3:20:49
Tara, Joseph, and members of the committee on youth and committee on education for holding this hearing.
3:20:55
The opportunity to submit testimony on the oversight of summarizing and intro number 729.
3:21:00
My name is Faith Bam.
3:21:02
I'm a manager of public policy and government relations at UGA Federation of New York.
3:21:07
This past summer, 6 month profits, and UGA's network oversaw summarizing programs.
3:21:12
Each of these agencies oversaw New York City funded summer camps that existed before the development of summarizing.
3:21:19
CBOs recognize families need access to free summer programs, and they want to continue offering this service.
3:21:26
While summarizing may make sense for some families, UGA believes New York City families need access to different summer program options for other children.
3:21:35
This means if summer rising is continued to be invested in, a traditional full day summer camp model must also be supported.
3:21:43
Below our recommendations that will strengthen future free summer programs, including programs that resemble summer rising and near York City.
3:21:51
Ensure CBOs have autonomy over the enrollment process.
3:21:54
This includes access to the wait list for programs, being able to both view and actively move individuals on and off the wait list, and allow families to directly enroll with CBOs.
3:22:04
They wish their child to attend programming Family's had issues navigating my schools and would reach out to CBOs for enrollment advice and assistance despite the fact that CBOs did not develop the site or manage it on the back end.
3:22:18
CBOs had having control over enrollment would allow them to gain a better understanding of the children being enrolled in their programs as well as directly help families trying to enroll their children.
3:22:27
Establish a baseline funding level for DOE and DOE portions summer rising and baseline funding for aycd for traditional summer programming that does not have an academic component enabling more effective planning for the summer.
3:22:42
Transition all summer programming contracts to a 12 month contract, which will promote year round planning for the summer.
3:22:49
Summarizing budget start on July 1st.
3:22:51
So we had a lot of feedback in our network about how it's really difficult to plan programming for July 1st start when that budget starts on July 91.
3:23:02
Insurance summer program providers are compensated promptly.
3:23:05
As of October 2024, many CEOs, including those in our net your network have yet to receive payment for overseeing summer 2024, summer programs.
3:23:15
We actually have a CBO who has yet to be compensated for their summer 2023 summarizing program, leaving them out $1,000,000.
3:23:23
Develop an information sharing system to ensure CBOs have access to inform regarding students individual develop plans and allergies and sure para professionals are available for all participants who need them.
3:23:36
With this said, creating a better, more suitable summer program for children with disabilities is more than a staffing or training issue.
3:23:43
Programs need more than well trained para para professionals.
3:23:48
Many CBO simply feel they do not have the background in working with kids with disabilities to serve them well, and that summer rising schedule does not promote the best environment for each with Thriven.
3:23:58
I have my rest of my testimony I submitted.
3:24:01
I thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
3:24:03
Thank you.
