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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Karen Alford, Vice President for Elementary Schools at United Federation of Teachers
4:29:36
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124 sec
Karen Alford, Vice President for Elementary Schools at the United Federation of Teachers, testifies about the importance and impact of United Community Schools (UCS) in New York City. She highlights the comprehensive services provided by UCS, including mental health, health and wellness visits, and food assistance to families.
- UCS has expanded from 6 to 32 schools across New York City since 2012
- The program has provided 25,000 mental health visits, 32,000 health and wellness visits, and fed over 35,000 families in the current school year
- Alford requests a $5 million investment from the City Council for UCS, emphasizing a 6:1 return on investment
Karen Alford
4:29:36
Good afternoon.
4:29:39
Good afternoon city council members and chair Joseph.
4:29:42
My name is Karen Alford and I'm the U of T's vice president for the elementary schools as well as our point person for United Community Schools.
4:29:51
Where we are now in 2025 is schools are more than just academic learning centers.
4:29:57
They're also social safety nets.
4:30:00
And that is where community schools come into being and into purpose.
4:30:05
We began this work in 2012.
4:30:07
Our work makes sure that we provide schools with health, mental health, academic enrichment, social, and wellness services in all of our schools.
4:30:17
And the greatest impact happens on the lives of our students and their families.
4:30:21
Because of your insight, because of your partnership with us, we've gone from six schools to 32 schools across New York City.
4:30:30
In our New York City schools, what we've seen in just this school year alone, 25,000 mental health visits, thirty two thousand health, dental, and wellness visits, and we fed over 35,000 families.
4:30:44
93% of our families have said to us that our food pantries, because of them, they've eaten more fruits and vegetables, and that they've received from United Community Schools.
4:30:55
This level of support as we wrap around services around our students, what we see are better outcomes, higher test scores, better attendance, more high school credits earned, and an increased sense of safety and connection within our school community.
4:31:11
What makes the magic?
4:31:13
Our u our UCS coordinators and each school, as well as our six social workers.
4:31:19
We don't take a cookie cutter approach to the work.
4:31:21
Each school has a unique profile of services and supports.
4:31:25
What is consistent?
4:31:26
That for every dollar invested, there's $6 in program that's delivered.
4:31:31
So there's a six to one return on investment, and we are here today requesting 5,000,000 of City Council investment in UCS.
4:31:39
Thank you so much.