Mayor’s Preliminary Budget Leaves City Children and Working Parents Stranded

Mayor Bloomberg’s released his preliminary budget for New York City.  While many programs and services have been protected, the proposed budget fails to include funding for child care and after-school programs for more than 47,000 children currently enrolled in these programs.  The Mayor’s proposed budget would eliminate child care for 15,900 children, and would cut after-school programs for 31,800 children – leaving 47,000 of New York’s children and their families stranded without care. Currently, Children's Aid serves 2,280 children in city-funded OST programs and more than 600 childrens in early childhood programs.

These sweeping cuts would strike a devastating blow to New York City’s working parents – who depend on these critical services to keep their jobs – and their children – who need these early education and after-school programs for future success. The cuts represent a dramatic departure from the Mayor’s stated desire to make education reforms and economic development his top priorities and the foundation of his legacy as mayor.

What you can do:

Call Mayor Bloomberg (311) and tell him that high quality after-school programs and childcare/early childhood education are essential for both children and working families.  Or write to him at:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

You can also send a letter to Mayor Bloomberg and other elected officals by clicking here.