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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Marlene Polanco, Infant Toddler Specialist at Chinese American Planning Council, on childcare accessibility and affordability
5:00:27
ยท
100 sec
Marlene Polanco, representing the Chinese American Planning Council, testified about the critical need for accessible, affordable, and flexible childcare in New York City. She emphasized the importance of early childhood centers for child development and allowing parents to work, while highlighting the current challenges faced by families in securing quality childcare.
- Polanco shared her firsthand experience as both a childcare professional and a mother, illustrating the financial strain and difficulty in finding conveniently located, high-quality childcare.
- She urged the city to invest in universal childcare to ensure all families, regardless of class or immigration status, have access to quality, comprehensive care.
- The testimony underscored the role of organizations like CPC in providing essential early childhood services and called for addressing the systemic issues in the childcare system.
Marlene Polanco
5:00:27
Thank you chair Ayala and members of the general welfare committee for the opportunity to testify.
5:00:33
My name is Marlene Polanco and I am the infant toddler specialist at the Chinese American Planning Council, the nation's largest Asian American social service organization.
5:00:43
CPC operates six early childhood centers through contracts with the New York City Department of Education serving over three ten children ages zero to four.
5:00:53
These family rely on services like ours to ensure their children receive the developmental support they need while allowing parents to work and provide for their families' basic needs.
5:01:05
This is an this is a sentiment shared by many in our community.
5:01:09
It is crucial that we address the issues surrounding the accessibility, affordability, and the flexibility of childcare.
5:01:16
As someone who works with childcare providers and families, and as a mother myself, I understand the struggles of securing high quality childcare.
5:01:25
I've witnessed firsthand how expensive childcare can be stretching the budgets of working class families.
5:01:31
High quality day care centers are also often located far far from where families need them the most.
5:01:37
And many reputable centers have long waiting lists making it even harder for parents to find a spot.
5:01:43
It doesn't have to be this way.
5:01:44
Our city has the power to make the necessary investments to ensure that all families regardless of class or immigration status have access to the care they deserve.
5:01:54
We urge the city to pass universal child care so that every child can access quality, comprehensive care.
5:02:01
Thank you for your time and for the opportunity to speak on issues that deeply impact our community.