Res. No. 650
Resolution calling upon the Department of Education to encourage eligible teen parents to enroll in the Living for the Young Family through Education (LYFE) program and to partner with the Administration for Children's Services to develop additional parenting skills programs.
By Council Members James, Brewer, Cabrera, Chin, Dromm, Ferreras, Mealy, Mendez, Rose, Vann, Williams and Rodriguez
Whereas, The Department of Education (DOE) currently serves approximately 1 million school children in New York City; and
Whereas, Federal law requires that schools shall not discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its education program on the basis of such student's pregnancy or childbirth; and
Whereas, Insufficient support services create an environment that pushes pregnant and parenting teens out of New York City public schools; and
Whereas, The DOE Living for the Young Family through Education program supports pregnant and parenting students that are enrolled in a DOE school by providing childcare and referral services; and
Whereas, Each LYFE program center has a childcare center and is linked to social services and health referral services; and
Whereas, The LYFE childcare centers are under the direction of a licensed early childhood teacher who is assisted and supported by two or three paraprofessional care givers; and
Whereas, The DOE operates 38 LYFE childcare centers throughout the five boroughs; and
Whereas, Any DOE student can access referral services or enroll their child in any LYFE center, space permitting; and
Whereas, In most cases, LYFE childcare is free and never more than 3 dollars per week; and
Whereas, According to the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), LYFE programs have been underfunded, underutilized and unavailable to many teens; and
Whereas, Since January 2009, at least nine children in New York City, have died as a result of abuse they endured while in the care of someone known to their parents; and
Whereas, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and ACS Commissioner John B. Mattingly recently launched and educational campaign titled "Be Careful About Who Cares for Your Child" urging parents to be cautious when leaving children with caregivers; and
Whereas, The Teenage Services Act of 1984 (TASA) established a case management requirement directed to local social services districts' pregnant and parenting teenagers, who are recipients of public assistance; and
Whereas, ACS administers services in accordance with TASA for New York City parents under the age of twenty-two; and
Whereas, The services provided by ACS under TASA help young parents obtain public benefits, health services, parenting skills, education, and job skills training; and
Whereas, Young parents in New York City would benefit from a partnership between the DOE and the ACS that focuses on supporting pregnant and parenting students; and
Whereas, Ensuring that parenting teens have access to childcare services while they attend school will improve educational outcomes; and
Whereas, Increasing access and the availability of parenting resources for teens will help keep their children safe; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the city of New York calls upon the Department of Education to encourage eligible teen parents to enroll in the Living for the Young Family through Education (LYFE) program and to partner with the Administration for Children's Services to develop additional parenting skills programs.
LS 1695
AES
1/12/11
3:15pm