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Q&A
Council Member Avilés questions Commissioner Howard about Compass program funding and expansion
3:27:34
·
3 min
Council Member Alexa Avilés raises concerns about federal funding cuts affecting after-school programs in her district and inquires about the criteria and timeline for allocating new Compass program seats. Commissioner Keith Howard responds, discussing the department's approach to addressing community needs and the process for expanding the program.
- Avilés highlights the impact of potential cuts to AmeriCorps and 21st Century programs on local after-school services
- Howard explains that DYCD will focus on high-need communities and collaborate with NYC public schools for the rollout of new Compass slots
- The department aims to release a concept paper by the end of the month, followed by engagement and RFP processes during the summer
Alexa Avilés
3:27:34
If I may, in terms of the Compass program, we are my my district is under some serious duress with the federal cuts, particularly the AmeriCorps program and potentially the twenty first century program, which would affect over 800 students and 11 after school summer programming academic enrichment in Sunset Park in particular.
3:28:01
So we we are very stressed currently right now around what's gonna happen to the services and the community as a result of these direct funding cuts.
3:28:14
Particularly the Center for Family Life is one of our major providers, as we've talked about in years past.
3:28:21
So in particular for the Compass additional funding for those additional seats, I know for the past four years we've been talking with one particular school, PS516, in our community who desperately needs after school programs, but understanding that there was no new RFP, there were no new seats, they have been sitting in this queue.
3:28:43
With the current funding cuts of AmeriCorps and potentially twenty first would obliterate their after school programming.
3:28:53
So I guess what I'm urging is that p s five sixteen be looked at very closely and be considered a priority given what is currently happening.
3:29:05
But I would love to know outside of my personal plug for that school is how the agency is gonna be looking at the criteria.
3:29:14
I know there's a lot more need than the 5,000 seats, but what criteria will you be establishing?
3:29:21
And when will you be making those selections around the Compass program and funding?
Keith Howard
3:29:29
100% agree with you.
3:29:31
The concern out in the communities, not only in your area, but you know in other areas as well.
3:29:40
And I think that without going into the real weeds of it, we're looking at communities with the highest needs.
3:29:51
Localizing exactly what that looks like.
3:29:56
Having our partners in New York City public schools at the table to be able to look at not only the 5,000 slots rollout, but also looking at the investment with the 15 and and the other five in FY twenty eight.
3:30:13
As soon as we can get to a good place with everyone in agreement, We would love to sit down with you and your team to show you exactly where we are so we can get your feedback as well.
Alexa Avilés
3:30:27
Great.
3:30:28
So do you have an anticipation around timeframe for when the applications will be out and when selections will be made, because '26 is five minutes away.
Keith Howard
3:30:43
Yeah.
3:30:44
So again, our goal for the concept paper is to get it out before the end of the month.
3:30:50
And then have those level of engagement in terms of the concept paper and the RFP during the summer months.
Alexa Avilés
3:31:00
Okay.