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Gotham Gazette
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The Topic
Children refers to the range of social services and service providers available to New Yorkers under the age of 18. Near Synonyms: Family Services, Child Welfare.
The Context
Children comprise a quarter of NYC's population and their lives intersect with City government at multiple junctures. They are the poorest New Yorkers. Despite a surging economy, 42% live below the poverty line. The services supplied to them by the City are varied. The Board of Education, the Administration for Children's Services, the School Construction Authority, the Parks Department, the Housing Authority and the Department of Juvenile Justice are only some of the agencies that administer over $12 billion worth of services to the City's children annually.

Researching ...

Keeping Troubled Kids at Home
In 2002, the city created the Family Assistance Program to help families with troubled children and keep the kids out of the foster care system. The first survey conducted of families served by the program shows improved mental health, more cohesive family relations and decreased stress within three months of intervention. The survey was conducted by the Vera Institute for Justice. (February 29, 2008)

After School Program Evaluation
A recently implemented after school initiative has been meeting its goals, according to a second year evaluation released last week by the Department of Youth and Community Development. Among its reported achievements, the Out-of-School Time initiative: served a third more school-age children in its second year; 80 percent of parents were satisfied with the programs; and 85 percent of children enrolled were high-needs students. (February 28, 2008)

Pushed Out of School
The organization Advocates for Children surveyed 145 students who were kicked out of New York City Schools. They found that the majority of students were told to leave school for reasons that are not legally justified, more than a third never met with a high school guidance counselor, and almost half did not know they had a legal right to remain in school until age 21. One hundred and twenty-six of the 145 students surveyed said they want to continue their education and go to college. (February 26, 2008)

Preliminary Mayor's Management Report
An interim look at the performance of various city agencies was released yesterday in a report called the Preliminary Mayor's Management Report. Published annually, it takes a look at the city's performance in the first four months of the fiscal year and forecasts performance expectations. Much of the information can be broken down by individual agency, issue, or community. Some significant highlights were: Sewer back up complaints jumped by 23 percent; the average response time to heat complaints rose by 50 percent (although stays within the goal of seven hours); and major felony crimes in schools were nearly a third lower than the same quarter last year. (February 15, 2008)

Lead Poisoning and Immigrants
Immigrant children are five times more likely than other New York City children to suffer from lead poisoning, according to a report by the city health department. Because children who have arrived in this country recently are the most likely to be affected, the health department thinks the children may have been exposed to lead in their countries of origin, where the toxic metal might be less tightly regulated. Exposure to lead is linked to learning and behavioral problems in young children. (January 7, 2008)

Fund for the City of New York, Youth Development Institute
Trailblazing ideas on how city officials and community activists can create productive environments for adolescents.
New York State Council on Children and Families
The Council on Children and Families is charged with acting as a neutral body to coordinate the State Health, Education and Human Services to ensure that all children and families in New York State have the opportunity to reach their potential.. Comprehensive links to all state agencies serving children, and current research on children statewide.
The Administration for Children's Services
Refreshingly frank. See Selected Child Welfare Trends in NYC for accurate, up-to-date, information on how well the City is meeting its obligations to foster kids.
Statewide Youth Advocacy
The only place on the web where the NYS budget is thoroughly analyzed for its impact on children.
The Administration for Children's Services
Refreshingly frank. See Selected Child Welfare Trends in NYC for accurate, up-to-date, information on how well the City is meeting its obligations to foster kids.
Group Day Care Directory
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Bureau of Day Care provides this directory of daycare service providers in all 5 boroughs. Also provides records from site visits and compliance checks.
American Civil Liberties Union
The nation’s chief defender of civil liberties, many useful links and explanations. "Working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States."
The Door, A Center of Alternatives, Inc.
A dynamic site for adolescents from The Door, the only free medical, cultural, and educational center devoted exclusively to the young people of New York City.
Children's Health Fund
Dr. Irwin Redlener's groundbreaking work on the health status of New York's homeless children is on display here.
Children's Defense Fund
The Children's Defense Fund is working to ensure that every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

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