The Governor must advance policies and investments that will be transformative for New York’s children and families while making New York more affordable for all.
Following yesterday’s State of the State address, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy is encouraged by Governor Hochul’s attention to health equity, youth mental health, maternal and infant health, paid parental and disability leave, and making New York more affordable for families.
We are especially pleased to see that New York is poised to become the next state to provide continuous coverage in Medicaid and Child Health Plus for the youngest New Yorkers through an intent to apply for Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver authority. As supporters of this policy, we recognize that enacting continuous health coverage for children until they reach age six will keep New York on the forefront of protecting and investing in our youngest children and their families.
At a time when families are leaving New York State, the right investments can keep families here: learning, growing, playing, working, and creating a vibrant future for our state.
Unfortunately, many of Governor Hochul’s policies as presented fall short of meeting the great need that exists, and many needed investments went unmentioned.
As advocates for children and families impacted by poverty, we were concerned to hear the Governor use the language of shared austerity when referring to the state’s budget challenges, suggesting that all New Yorkers must tighten their belts. We urge Governor Hochul and legislative leaders to remember that children from working families and historically underinvested communities must not shoulder the burden of inadequately funded services so the State can close budget gaps.
Child and family well-being is the foundation of a thriving society—these are the investments that pay off for everyone, now and for generations to come. The right funding and policies can help us achieve a vision for New York State in which families can not only afford to stay in New York but choose to stay and flourish here.
There are four policy areas that would create fertile ground for child and family well-being, for all New Yorkers. We look forward to seeing substantial, meaningful investments in each of these areas in Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget:
- Child Poverty Reduction — New York State must make good on its promise to substantially reduce child poverty and racial inequity throughout the state, starting by ensuring robust tax credits, housing, and nutritional supports reach all families, no matter where they were born.
- Affordable, Accessible, Quality Child Care — It is time for substantial and sustained investment in a child care system that works for everyone. Child care costs are too high for most families, while at the same time child care providers are earning wages so low that they often rely on assistance to make ends meet. New York must invest in the child care workforce and extend the promise of care to all children in our state.
- Children’s Health — The state must expand and increase investment in child and family health, including in mental and oral health, as well as in health coverage systems to ensure children have consistent, reliable access to health care.
- Child Welfare —It’s past time to transform the child welfare system by investing in policies that foster transparency and accountability, prevent system-involvement and unnecessary, harmful family separations, reduce institutional placements, and support child, family, and community well-being.
We are ready to work with Governor Hochul and State Legislators to continue building a New York State that supports family well-being, in which opportunity is accessible to every child, and where families choose to build their futures.
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