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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jhodessa Reimer, Division Director for School-Based Programs at Center for Family Life in Sunset Park
5:07:56
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123 sec
Jhodessa Reimer, representing the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, testified on the need for improved after-school programs, particularly for middle and high school students. She thanked the council for recognizing the true cost of after-school programs and called for changes in the Compass program model.
- Urged for a new Compass Sonic contract tailored to middle school students' needs
- Requested 200 after-school seats for PS 516, a Title One school in Sunset Park
- Appreciated DYCD's announcement of 50% advances and urged inclusion of Summer Rising in these advances
Jhodessa Reimer
5:07:56
Thank you, chair Stevens and the city council.
5:08:02
Thank you, Chair Stevens and the City Council, for your support for children and youth across New York City.
5:08:07
My name is Jardessa Reimer, and I'm a division director for school based programs at the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park.
5:08:13
And I would especially like to thank you for recognizing the true cost of after school and for including increased rates for Compass programming in the city council council budget response.
5:08:23
With the announcement of a new Compass elementary contract for f y twenty seven, I'm also calling on the city to issue a new Compass Sonic contract.
5:08:30
Our city's middle school students deserve a model tailored to their unique stage of development, not one based on the needs of elementary school age children as the current Sonic model stands.
5:08:40
DYCD should bring providers who have been successfully serving middle school students for decades, and there are many of us, to the table to give our input in the redesign of the Sonic model.
5:08:50
Additionally, it is imperative that DYCD create a new funding opportunity to replace Compass Explore, as Jay Young just expressed better than I could ever.
5:08:59
Let's not forget about high school students.
5:09:02
I also wanna highlight a Sunset Park community in urgent need.
5:09:05
Of the 5,000 new elementary after school seats that will be added to the school year 2526, we respectfully request that PS five sixteen, a title one school, be allocated just 200 seats.
5:09:16
You've heard from two parents and a student from that school today.
5:09:20
This school has been tirelessly advocating for a DYCDA funded after school program since 02/2013.
5:09:26
And with the termination of the AmeriCorps program and the uncertain future of the federal twenty first century learning communities program, that school is at risk of losing its only public funding.
5:09:36
Finally, we are grateful that DYCD has announced 50% advances, and we urge DYCD to ensure these advances include summer rising.
5:09:43
These contracts begin at the start of the fiscal year right as providers are stretching to expand our programs to meet the demands for enrollment, and funds are needed immediately so we can put our focus fully on best serving children.
5:09:55
Thank you again for your continued leadership and for championing the children of New York City.