Links to Close Out 2024

As we take a pause during this last week of the year, this week’s newsletter rounds up some links to news you may have missed, upcoming events, and resources to fuel your advocacy for New York’s families in the new year. 

Thank you for your support and partnership, and best wishes for a restful end of 2024 and a recharged 2025!  

Links to Close Out 2024

In 2024, we held a symposium on the impact of poverty on child health in partnership with Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy. 

The New York Can End Child Poverty coalition hosted a rally to end child poverty in November, drawing hundreds of advocates to the steps of the Capital building in Albany. 

On December 16, Governor Hochul vetoed legislation that would have allowed more New York families to access child care. The two bills passed the both houses with major, bipartisan support. In a statement, the Empire State Campaign for Child Care urges Governor Hochul to “make a good choice for New York families in the New Year and end the minimum earnings requirement and tying parents’ exact work hours to child care assistance in the Executive Budget.” 

Schuyler Center’s annual State of New York’s Children Data Book is coming soon. The 2025 report will provide a data snapshot of the well-being of New York’s children and families and the challenges New York families are facing. The book includes data and policy recommendations around child poverty, child welfare, child care, oral health, and Medicaid.

Join us! The State of New York’s Children in-person data briefing will be held on January 14 in Albany. Registration is free but space is limited.  

The Resources section of our website includes Schuyler Center reports, testimony, data analysis, policy priorities, fact sheets, and more – all searchable by type, issue category, and keyword. Access Schuyler Center Resources here.  

In 2025, Schuyler Center urges leaders to champion policies that improve health, well-being, and economic security of New York’s families, children, and communities, with a focus on New Yorkers who are working hard to make ends meet. Read our full 2025 Policy Priorities for Child and Family Well-Being.  

Recently, on the Schuyler Insider blog: 

• Statement on Recommendations Issued by the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council 
• Schuyler Center’s 2024 Impact Report 
• Meet the Schuyler Center Board: Kalpana Bhandarkar
• Rally to End Child Poverty Brings Hundreds to Albany
• 2025 Policy Priorities for Child and Family Wellbeing

The New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council met earlier this month. Schuyler Center President and CEO Kate Breslin is an appointed member of the Council. At the December 18 meeting, the group voted on and passed its recommendations to help New York State achieve the historic goal of cutting child poverty by 50% by 2031. Read our statement on this significant milestone. 

Looking Back: Key Wins for Families in 2024

– Continuous Medicaid Coverage for Babies and Children Ages 0-6 . When a child has uninterrupted health insurance coverage, parents can access regular check-ups, scheduled vaccines, and preventive health services for their child, setting them up for a healthy start. 

– A new law expanding who can provide topical fluoride varnish will result in more opportunities for children to receive this important preventive service. Fluoride varnish prevents cavities and is a standard of practice for dental and pediatric offices and is covered by Medicaid and commercial health insurance. 

– A one time supplemental payment of the Empire State Child tax Credit was sent to families in July. Tax credits are one of the most powerful and immediate poverty-fighting
tools available to policymakers.

– Presumptive eligibility was signed into law, eliminating delays between when families apply and when they are deemed eligible and can receive the benefits. This law was one of three laws championed by the Empire State Campaign for Child Care this year. 

Policy Priorities that Center NY’s Children and Families