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Problems with Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) contracts
0:14:03
·
77 sec
Council Member Stevens highlights significant issues with Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) contracts, including extensive delays and outdated contract rates. She criticizes the timing of recent announcements and the strain placed on providers.
- DYCD oversees the largest human service procurement portfolio in the city, with over 1,600 contracts submitted late last year.
- Providers are operating with outdated contracts, some of which haven't seen rate increases in decades.
- Stevens expresses frustration with the timing of recent announcements, viewing them as too late and poorly timed for providers' operational needs.
Althea Stevens
0:14:03
At the Department of Youth and Community Development, delays are just as dire.
0:14:07
DYCD oversees the largest human service procurement portfolio in the city.
0:14:15
Last year, over one one thousand six hundred of their contracts were submitted late, more than any other agency with a total value exceeding 1,300,000,000.0.
0:14:25
Meanwhile, providers are continuing to operate with outdated contracts like like those of the Compass and Sonic Afterschool which haven't seen rates in decades.
0:14:35
Although we we had an announcement yesterday which is a convenient timing for this hearing and also, yes, we're getting our RFP but why wasn't this done in January when we asked for it?
0:14:48
Why would we have this being rolled out during the busiest time of the year for providers when they're running summer camp and trying to gear up for the next school year?
0:14:56
This is unacceptable.
0:14:57
So thanks for the announcement, but we're sick of announcements.
0:15:00
We're actually here to do the work and this this actually puts a strain not only on the providers but also DYCD and it's unacceptable.
0:15:07
So thank you for giving us what we asked for six months late when we could have actually done this adequately.
0:15:13
Instead of supporting growth and innovation, we're asking providers to do more with less and they're forced to cut staff, lower salaries, or close program.