The NYS Child Poverty Reduction Act & the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council
In 2021/2022, the New York State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, the Child Poverty Reduction Act, committing the State to reduce child poverty by 50% over 11 years, with attention to racial equity. With this law, New York joined a small handful of states leading the way on poverty-fighting legislation. Enactment of the Child Poverty Reduction Act clearly signals that our state will no longer tolerate having two in five children experiencing severe economic hardship.
Among other provisions, the Act established the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council which is chaired by the Executive Chamber (Office of the Governor) and the Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Appointed Council members include NYS agency leaders, advocates, impacted community members, heads of county social services departments, and others working to end child poverty in New York State
The Council is charged with establishing a timeline, inclusive of yearly benchmarks, for reducing child poverty in the state by 50% by 2033 and developing reports and proposals. Additionally, the Council must consider the disproportionate impact poverty has on various racial and ethnic communities and what policies may assist in alleviating such disparities.
The Council held its first meeting in October 2022, and continues to meet regularly. Information about upcoming meetings, as well as recordings and materials from previous meetings, can be found on the OTDA website.
Additional Resources:
- Acting to Cut Child Poverty: The NYS Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council
- Materials from previous Advisory Council Meetings
- Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council – Announcement from Governor Hochul and list of appointed members (10/7/22)
- Letter to Gov. Hochul, Members of the Senate, Members of the Assembly identifying budget investments to begin cutting NY’s child poverty rate (3/31/23)
- Letter to Governor Hochul regarding child poverty reduction in the 2023-24 NYS Budget (1/11/2023)