58% of NYC’s youngest children don’t receive all of their Early Intervention services
The majority of New York City infants and toddlers who are eligible for specialized therapies have not received all of the support they’re entitled to, according to figures released Tuesday by the state comptroller. From birth to age 3, children with developmental delays or disabilities are entitled to “Early Intervention,” a host of services that […]
A $43 million contract to lock school doors wins mixed reactions from educators
A contentious proposal to lock the front entrances of New York City public school buildings won approval Wednesday evening by the city’s Panel for Educational Policy, a move that represents one of the biggest school security changes in recent years. After a vigorous debate, the panel, whose majority is appointed by the mayor, greenlit a […]
To help address NYC’s youth mental health crisis, school psychologists want to practice outside school
With a pressing need for more youth mental health services, New York’s state legislature is eyeing one way to plug the gap: allowing school psychologists to provide services in private practice without having to go through a lengthy licensing process. Under current rules, school psychologists must obtain a doctorate in order to practice outside of […]
NY’s budget has $100M for academic and mental health programs. Schools still don’t have the money.
With growing concerns over youth mental health and academic recovery, New York’s state lawmakers included $100 million in the state budget last year for schools to spend on mental health resources or after-school programs. But, with the majority of the school year now over, school districts haven’t been able to apply for the money. “It […]
NYC principals to meet weekly with NYPD in latest effort to address rash of youth violence
To address the growing problem of youth violence, principals from New York City’s 1,600 public schools will soon begin having virtual meetings each week with their local police precinct commanders, education department officials said Tuesday. Schools Chancellor David Banks has been raising the alarm about the recent spate of killings and shootings involving young people, […]
Thousands of NYC students lost parents to COVID. Many aren’t getting the help they need.
This story was produced in collaboration with THE CITY, Columbia Journalism Investigations, Type Investigations and City Limits as part of “MISSING THEM,” THE CITY’s COVID memorial and journalism project. Do you know a child who has lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19? Tell us more here. If you know someone who died due to COVID, share their story here or email us at […]
Mayor Eric Adams promises mental telehealth support for all NYC high school students
All New York City high school students will have access to mental health support through telehealth programs, Mayor Eric Adams announced Thursday, his first major effort to address growing concerns about student wellbeing. “This year we’re rolling out the biggest student mental health program in the country,” Adams said during his annual State of the […]
Losing my Spanish feels like losing part of myself
Spanish was my first language. It was the only language I knew until I was 5 and began school in the U.S. At first, going to school felt scary because I didn’t speak English. I would cry, and explain as best I could that I had a stomachache and needed to go to the nurse. […]
