More funds for after-school programs needed to help youth, orgs say

Organizations operating after-school programs in New York are rallying for the state to reverse cuts proposed in the governor’s budget.

The proposed budget lays out $7.2 million in total cuts to two initiatives funding after-school programs and other programs – the Advantage After School program and the Youth Development program – according to the New York State Network for Youth Success. Organizations are aiming to have the funding baselined, and for the state to streamline its contracting process for after-school program providers.

“That is a drop in the bucket,”  Michael Rivadeneyra, senior director of government relations at the YMCA of Greater New York, said during a virtual rally on Thursday. “That should be restored.”

Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi, who chairs the Committee on Children and Families, said the state Assembly backs restoring funding to the Advantage After School program. “It is so remarkably stupid to cut money from these programs because you guarantee that the kids who don’t get these services are going to cost you more in the next year,” he said during the rally, saying cuts to these initiatives puts youth at risk of struggling more school and falling into the juvenile justice system.

It’s looking more likely that New York state can avoid the worst-case budget scenarios feared. More tax revenue than expected has been received by the state. And the U.S. Senate passed a major COVID-19 relief package on Saturday that sets aside $100 billion for New York. That includes $12.5 billion in state aid, which is about twice the amount Gov. Andrew Cuomo estimated the state would receive in his proposed budget.