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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Maria Morales, Parent and Community Liaison from United Federation of Teachers (UFT) on UFT's Anti-Bullying Program
4:25:31
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109 sec
Maria Morales from the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) testified about the UFT's anti-bullying program called BRAVE (Building Respect, Acceptance and Voice Through Education). She highlighted the program's hotline services, support statistics, and workshops, while requesting additional funding to expand their efforts.
- BRAVE hotline provides support via phone, chat, or text on weekdays from 2:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Between July 2024 and March 2025, BRAVE supported over 4,000 students, 900 parents, and 600 educators
- UFT is requesting an additional $300,000 from the city council to expand workshops and create a multilingual digital resource hub
Maria Morales
4:25:31
Good afternoon, madam chair and members of the council.
4:25:36
My name is Maria Morales.
4:25:37
I am the parent and community liaison for the United Federation of Teachers.
4:25:41
I'm here today to speak with you about the United Federation of Teachers anti bullying program.
4:25:47
The U of T created Brave, Building Respect, Acceptance and Voice Through Education program has an immediate compassionate resource for any child experiencing bullying because every student deserve to feel safe, seen and supported.
4:26:02
The brave hotline is available from two 02:00 in the afternoon to 09:30 at night on weekdays.
4:26:08
It could be reached by phone, chat or text at (917) 727-1908.
4:26:14
The hotline is staffed by licensed counselors and trained professionals who provide confident shock support, guidance and crisis interventions to students and families in need.
4:26:24
Between July 2024 and March 2025, Brave supported over 4,000 students, nine hundred parents and 600 educators.
4:26:33
A powerful reminder that bullying affect our entire school community.
4:26:37
Brave also delivers anti bullying workshops each year to hundreds of students, parents and educators and works to ensure that critical anti bullying resources are visible and accessible in every school.
4:26:50
But we need, we know that we need to do more.
4:26:53
That's why we are asking the city council for an additional $300,000 to expand these life changing workshops and to create a digital resource hub with multilingual guides to help students, family and school staff navigate bullying, report safety and access mental health support.
4:27:12
With your continued partnership we can extend BRACE outreach and continue to build safer and more inclusive school communities for every child in our city.
4:27:20
Thank you.