Child Poverty Reduction

Nearly one in five New York children live in poverty, and that rate approaches one in three among children of color and in some under-resourced communities. The chronic stress of poverty can have devastating effects on growing families and impacts the brain development of young children.  

Historically, many parents of young children do not have access to or enough information about state programs — including the Empire State Tax Credit and enough financial aid to afford college — aimed at putting New Yorkers on the path to more economic stability and reducing child poverty.

Report: Reducing child poverty in New York State through the Empire State Child Tax Credit

Although New York was among the first states in the nation to offer a child tax credit, it has quickly fallen behind as other states have instituted more generous credits in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this report, we analyze the Empire State Child Credit, compares it to other state models, and provide recommendations on how New York can ensure the ESCC effectively reaches all eligible families to tackle our state’s child poverty problem.

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Press Releaselwarden
Poll: Parents across all racial groups have encountered challenges accessing high-quality child care

Poll: Parents across all racial groups have encountered challenges accessing high-quality child care

The poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group in partnership with the Raising NY coalition, also found that while parents overall are satisfied with their child care program, their experiences with some areas of the system can vary widely across racial lines.

Press Releaselwarden
Despite significant child poverty, New York lags behind other states in providing tax credit relief to families of young children

Despite significant child poverty, New York lags behind other states in providing tax credit relief to families of young children

New York was among the first states in the nation to offer a child tax credit and once led the country in its generous, fully refundable family tax credits, primarily the Empire State Child Credit. But New York has quickly fallen behind as other states have instituted more generous credits in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.