As a coalition of organizations working to improve immediate and long-term outcomes for children, families, and individuals experiencing economic hardship, we urge our leaders to act in this year’s budget to reduce child poverty and racial inequity, by continuing to strengthen New York’s child tax credit, and ensuring robust cash assistance, housing, and nutritional supports for all families who need them, no matter where they were born.
This year, facing federal program and funding changes that disproportionately hurt low-income children,families, and communities, it is more important than ever that New York State proactively addressessystemic inequities and invests in initiatives that support healthy and thriving children, resourced families, and safe and welcoming communities.
All children should grow up free from the stress and strains of poverty. Our 2026 policy priorities include:
- Increasing Access to Food Supports for New York Families
- Continuing to Build a Strong, Refundable Child Tax Credit
- Reforming Cash Assistance to Help More New Yorkers in a Time of Need
- Robust Housing Assistance
- Building Toward Universal Child Care
(View the details on policies that will achieve each goal here.)