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Council Member Stevens introduces legislation on children and youth services
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Council Member Althea Stevens, chair of the Committee on Children and Youth, introduces two pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening protections for children, supporting families, and amplifying youth voices in policy-making. She explains the purpose and importance of Introduction 99-B and Introduction 794-A, urging her colleagues to support these measures.
- Introduction 99-B ensures families are informed about legal support options at the beginning of ACS investigations.
- Introduction 794-A prioritizes appointing individuals with experience in youth welfare to youth boards and requires at least three board members to be between 16 and 24 years old.
- Stevens emphasizes the importance of transparency, due process, and youth representation in decision-making processes.
Althea V. Stevens
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Good morning, and welcome to today's vote on children and youth services.
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I I am council member Althea Stevens, chair of the committee.
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Today, have the opportunity to advance two critical pieces of legislation that will strengthen the protection for children, support families, and amplify the voices of young people in shaping the policies that impact their lives.
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Intro introduction nine nine b sponsored by deputy speaker Ayala recognizes a fundamental right of parents and guardians to have access to legal information, the very first point of contact, at the very first point of contact with administration for children services by ensuring that families are made aware of where they can obtain legal support at the onset of ACS investigations.
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We are promoting transparency, due process, and fairness in child welfare proceedings.
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When families are informed, they are better equipped to navigate those often complex and high stakes solutions, which ultimately benefits the well-being of children involved.
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The second intro seven ninety four a sponsored by myself acknowledges the critical role that young people must play in decisions that affect their future by ensuring that youth board appointees prioritize individuals with experience in youth welfare or child welfare in young people and requiring that at least three board members between the ages of 16 and 24, we are taking a meaningful step towards true youth representation.
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Lived experiences in in viable and crafting effective policy and legislation ensures that the voices of young people are not just heard but are embodied in the decision making process.
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Both of these bills align with our committee's mission to protect children, strength strengthen families, and empower youth.
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I urge my colleagues to support these measures as we work towards a more just, equitable, and inclusive system for the children, youth, and families of our city.
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I'd like to thank my committee staff for their hard work and in preparing for this vote.
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Committee counsel, Christine what should I say?
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Yelamonte.
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I don't wanna say your last name.
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Can say it now.
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Christine Yelamonte and potterly analyst, Elizabeth Arts, as well as my staff, the a team.
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And I will now like to turn it over to the clerk to call the roll.