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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Aaron Sanders, Deputy Director of Government and Community Relations at Grand Street Settlement
1:37:13
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3 min
Aaron Sanders from Grand Street Settlement testifies about the importance of federal funding for their programs, particularly Head Start, and the potential negative impacts of funding cuts on the communities they serve. He urges city leaders to work with the federal administration to sustain funding for community-based organizations.
- Nearly half of Grand Street Settlement's operating budget comes from direct federal Head Start funding.
- The organization operates eight programs that receive direct or indirect federal Head Start funding.
- Sanders emphasizes the success and benefits of the Head Start program, citing a recent study showing improved outcomes for participants.
- Other programs like Single Stop USA, which helps individuals access federal benefits, are also at risk due to proposed funding cuts.
Aaron Sanders
1:37:13
Thank you, Chair Ressler, Chair Brennan, and committee members present today for convening this necessary hearing and for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding recent changes in federal funding.
1:37:25
Grand Street Settlement is a 109 year old multi service settlement house.
1:37:29
We serve over 18,000 New Yorkers through vital early childhood, youth, and older adult programs on the Lower East Side, Manhattan and The Bronx.
1:37:39
Today, we are testifying about the importance of federal funding sources on Grand Street programs and how a funding reduction would negatively impact the communities we serve.
1:37:47
We also urge city leaders to work in partnership with the current federal administration on behalf of community board based organizations to sustain the federal fundings our neighbors are allowing.
1:37:58
Nearly half of our operating budget is comprised of direct federal head start funding.
1:38:02
Currently, Grand Street operates eight programs that either receive direct or indirect federal Head Start funding.
1:38:09
The funding allocated to Grand Street supports the academic and social emotional development of children.
1:38:16
Really quickly, I wanna highlight the benefits of Head Start.
1:38:19
Head Start is a federally funded childcare program supporting low income families.
1:38:24
Children from from birth through kindergarten receive free subsidized, high quality education, health screenings, nutritional support alongside professional and personal support for parents and much more.
1:38:37
Statistics show that Head Start is one of the most successful programs that have came out of the great society era in the sixties.
1:38:45
A published study a a study published in December 2022 in the Journal of Political Economy concluded that the Head Start program or children who have attended the Head Start program have higher levels of educational attainment, lower teen pregnancy rates, and less criminal engagement on average.
1:39:04
As a recipient of federal direct and indirect Head Start funding from the Office of Head Start and the New York City Department of Education, we are deeply concerned about the potential cuts to the program.
1:39:15
Cuts to our federal Head Start grant will have a dire generational impact on families who depend on Grand Street for high quality early childhood education services.
1:39:24
Grand Street and other child care providers throughout this country are now faced with funding cuts despite our record of providing robust child care services.
1:39:33
For several years, Grand Street was lauded by parents, educational experts, and elected officials for our successful head start model.
1:39:42
This January, governor Kathy Hochul visited Grand Street and commended us on our early childhood education program and its life changing impact on families.
1:39:51
However, adequate federal funding is critical to continuing this work.
1:39:56
With appropriate funding for the office of Head Start, we can continue to disrupt systemic barriers that hinder children from excelling and becoming successful contributing members of society.
1:40:09
Other programs are at risk.
1:40:12
For example, programs like Single Stop USA will be impacted by proposed funding cuts.
1:40:18
Single Stop is a nationally renowned benefits assisted program that supports eligible individuals and families in accessing federal subsidized benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid.
1:40:28
Our community relies on these programs like Single Stop to gain access to life saving services.
1:40:34
Funding for these resources equips Grand Street Case Managers with the resources needed to support our community.
1:40:41
In closing, we encourage the city of New York to continue working with our federal administration to ensure that community based organization and families have the funding that they need to support our communities.
1:40:52
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Lincoln Restler
1:40:54
Thank you for your testimony.