The Advocate Newsletter

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Spring 2023

SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS

Alexandra's Story

When Luisa called AFC’s Helpline, she wasn’t sure what to expect, but she knew that her younger sister, Alexandra, needed help. For years, it felt like Alexandra had just been passed along from grade to grade, never receiving the support she needed. Now, at age 18, Alexandra was about to graduate from high school, but Luisa was concerned that her sister wasn’t prepared for the transition.

READ ALEXANDRA'S STORY

“We are extremely grateful for all your support. I’ve noticed an exponential growth in Alex: she is pushing herself more to advocate for herself, she’s growing more confident every day.”

-Luisa, Alexandra's sister

GET HELP

If your child is struggling with remote or in-person learning, reach out to us today.

Call AFC's Education Helpline, open Monday-Thursday from 10am-4pm.

(866) 427-6033

AFC NEW REPORT

AFC Sounds the Alarm on Dire Educational Outcomes for Students in Foster Care

Each year, roughly 7,500 New York City students spend time in foster care. AFC’s new report provides an overview of the current — and dire —state of education for students in foster care in New York City and makes recommendations for how the DOE’s new Foster Care Team can work to make NYC’s schools a model of support for students in foster care.

READ THE REPORT

POLICY CORNER

Sustaining Progress for NYC Students and AFC's Policy Priorities for the FY24 Budget

Each winter, AFC develops a list of our policy priorities for the coming year, as NYC gears up for budget talks. This year, our advocacy priorities include several key education programs that are on the chopping block, with funding that will expire in June unless extended in the FY24 budget.

At a time when NYC is receiving an increase in education funding from the State and continues to have unspent federal COVID-19 relief funding, schools should receive additional resources to meet the needs of their students—and certainly should not lose funding.

AFC's BUDGET PRIORITIES

Several key NYC education programs are being funded with federal COVID-19 relief stimulus dollars; how will we sustain these programs once funding runs out? It will take more than $700 million per year to sustain education initiatives that are making a difference for some of the City’s most marginalized students, addressing student needs that existed long before the pandemic.

Our call to actions urges elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels to start planning right away to identify funding to address this looming threat.

READ THE CALL TO ACTION

PUBLICATIONS ROUND-UP

New & Updated Resources for Students, Parents and Professionals

This winter, AFC staff updated several of our free know-your-rights guides, tip sheets, and other resources to help New York City families navigate the public school system. Translations are available on our website, along with many other helpful resources:

📄 FAQ: Families of Students with Behavioral, Emotional, or Mental Health Challenges at School

📄 Guide to Section 504

📄 Turning 5: A Guide to the Transition from Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten

📄 LGBTQ+ Education Guide: Your Rights as an LGBTQ+ Student in a NYC Public School

📄 COVID Compensatory Services Fact Sheet

📄 Rocking the GED: Accommodations on the High School Equivalency Test

FIND MORE AFC RESOURCES

Save the Date! AFC's 2023 Spring Benefit, honoring Richard Trobman and AFC Client Charlotte Coté, will be held Wednesday, May 10th.

Please contact Linda Yassky at lyassky@afcnyc.org if you or your company would like to support the event at a sponsorship level

Congratulations to AFC staff attorney Ptahra Jeppe, who is this year’s honoree at Everyone Reading’s conference! This annual event on dyslexia and related learning disabilities focuses on new strategies from noted experts in the field, and the latest in teaching resources, technologies, schools and programs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EVERYONE READING