Under a cost-saving plan proposed by the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS) effective September 2009, children who will be age five as of December 31, 2009 would not be able to enroll in child care programs funded by ACS. Instead, approximately 3,200 children would be moved from child care centers to kindergarten in the New York City public school system, with after-school programming provided through the New York City Division of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Out-of-School Time (OST) programs. As this proposal would affect more 3,000 children, it is important to understand the impact of this plan on families, child care programs, after-school programs and the New York City public school system.

The Committees will hear testimony regarding the potential impact of ACS' plan. Public input is requested concerning:

1. The impact of the proposal on children and families in New York City who are receiving or are in need of child care services, including, but not limited to, the impact of the proposal on:

   1. Children receiving ACS funded child care services;

   2. parents or caretakers of children receiving ACS funded child care services;

   3. the ability of families in receipt of ACS funded child care services to maintain employment;

   4. transportation cost for the family;

   5. families who receive or are in need of child care who work non-traditional hours; and

   6. the availability of child care services for families during breaks (i.e. the summer).

2. The impact of the proposal on after school programs, including, but not limited to, the impact of the proposal on:

   1. the New York City DYCD and OST programs; and

   2. after school programs that receive state funding or which are funded by non-for-profits.

3. The impact of the proposal on child care, including, but not limited to, the impact of the proposal on:

   1. child care providers;

   2. child care centers;

   3. the availability of subsidized child care slots in New York City; and

   4. ACS' project full enrollment.

Persons wishing to present testimony at the hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form by Wednesday, May 20. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of postponement or cancelation of the hearing.

Witnesses are asked to keep oral testimony to no more than ten minutes. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact person listed on the reply form. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. If you are testifying, please submit ten copies of any prepared testimony at the hearing registration desk. In order to further publicize the hearing, please inform interested parties if the Committees' interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Senate and Assembly have made their facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. Accommodation will be provided to individuals with disabilities upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Senate and Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Mitchell-Lama housing are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, e-mail or fax it to: