report: surge in new funds and policies to address
Early childhood emotional problems

New York City and State Budget $15 Million In Funds For Programs Addressing Children’s Social and Emotional Health

More funds are being allocaed to programs addressing New York City children's social and emotional health, according to Baby and Toddler Takeoff, a new report from The New School’s Center for New York City Affairs

New York (July 30, 2015) – In a marked sea change in social welfare policy, a sudden new surge of funds and programs will be used to address behavioral and emotional problems among New York City’s youngest children, according to a new report from The New School’s Center for New York City Affairs (CNYCA).

The report, Baby and Toddler Takeoff, found that, in the current fiscal year, which began in July, at least $15 million in new city and state funds will be allocated to programs addressing New York City children’s social and emotional health.

“While many of the new initiatives detailed in the report are in very early stages of implementation, the overall picture is clear: there’s an emerging awareness of the powerful developmental toll that poverty, family violence homelessness and other stresses take on very young children,” said Kristin Morse, executive director of the CNYCA.

In addition, the new funding stream will automatically be renewed annually through fiscal year 2017.

The report also noted that:

• According to the report, $7.4 million of the new funds are being aimed at keeping very young children out of foster care by promoting healthy social and emotional development and providing early childhood mental health.
• There will be a major state-level overhaul of Medicaid that will, officials hope, increase screening, diagnosis and treatment of behavioral problems amongtoddlers.
• There is an effort underway to revamp early Intervention, the city’s largest system for treating disabilities and delays among youngchildren, to respondto kids whose only issues are behavioral or emotional.
• This Julywill see the launch of many other new city- and state-funded programs using innovative approaches to address toddler behavioral development.
• Over the past few years, top officials with strong backgrounds in early childhood development have been appointed to oversee new efforts in the City’s Department of Health and Administration for Children’s Services.
• Despite the current energy and enthusiasm for early childhood services, the reach of most of the efforts is modest and does not address the likely tens of thousands of young children who could benefit from such services.
• Without greater coordination and communication among initiatives, the impact of these efforts will be compromised.

The Center will follow up on the release of this online report with continued reporting in the months ahead on early childhood policies and programs in the city and state.

To read Baby and Toddler Takeoff, visit http://www.centernyc.org/babies-and-toddlers-home

The Center for New York City Affairs at The New School is an applied policy research institute that drives innovation in social policy.  It works where people's lives intersect with government and community organizations.  Its findings have spurred major efforts in such areas as reducing chronic public school absenteeism and reforming mental health evaluations for parents in Family Court. For more information, visit http://www.centernyc.org.

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Media Contacts:

Kendra Hurley,
The New School
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