The latest episode of the Family Homelessness Coalition\u2019s \u2018Hear Our Voices\u2019 podcast features Kayla Mumtaz at the Alliance for Quality Education. The conversation touched on how New York funds its schools, what universal childcare would mean for struggling families and how parents can advocate for change.<\/p>\n
Each year for nearly the last decade, more than 100,000 children in the city\u2019s public school system experienced homelessness\u2014meaning they lived in shelter, at a motel or were \u201cdoubled up\u201d in shared housing. Homeless students and their families often face additional educational barriers and disruptions. This was a focus of the latest episode of the \u201cHear Our Voices\u201d podcast, which shares stories, resources and information about family homelessness in New York City.<\/p>\n
Podcast host Kadisha Davis was joined by Kayla Mumtaz, legislative affairs and community engagement specialist at the Alliance for Quality Education. Mumtaz spoke about AQE\u2019s Education and Early Education Warriors programs, which train parents on how to advocate for city and state policy changes. \u201cWe always say at the Alliance for Quality Education that if you\u2019ve lived it, you are an expert,\u201d Mumtaz said. \u201cSo you don\u2019t need a degree to tell you that something in your life is wrong and that you need to change it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the changes the group is pushing for: reforms to the state\u2019s Foundation Aid Formula, which determines how much funding schools receive based on the needs of the students they serve. \u201cFoundation Aid Formula accounts for different things like poverty rates, homelessness, free school or reduced lunches, things like that,\u201d Mumtaz explained. But it hasn\u2019t been updated in more than 20 years, something AQE is pushing the state to do now to account for increased housing insecurity and other criteria.<\/p>\n
AQE also advocates for more affordable childcare, calling for New York to move toward a universal childcare model. \u201cEducation doesn\u2019t start in kindergarten,\u201d Mumtaz said. \u201cThe state should be funding it, because parents can get out of these situations that they\u2019re in if they have childcare. They could work more. They can get better jobs. They can work flexible jobs. They can go to college if that\u2019s what they decide to do. They can do a lot more.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can listen to the full podcast episode, which was recorded in two parts, below.<\/p>\n
The conversation between Kayla Mumtaz and Kadisha Davis highlights the importance of addressing family homelessness in New York City. By advocating for reforms to the state\u2019s Foundation Aid Formula and universal childcare, parents and experts can work together to create a more equitable education system.<\/p>\n
More than 100,000 children in the city\u2019s public school system experience homelessness each year, meaning they live in shelter, at a motel, or are \u201cdoubled up\u201d in shared housing.<\/p>\n
The Foundation Aid Formula determines how much funding schools receive based on the needs of the students they serve. It accounts for factors like poverty rates, homelessness, and free or reduced lunches, but it hasn\u2019t been updated in over 20 years.<\/p>\n
Universal childcare is a model where the state funds childcare, allowing parents to work more, get better jobs, and access education and other opportunities. This can help families get out of situations of poverty and homelessness.<\/p>\n
Parents can advocate for change by getting involved in organizations like the Alliance for Quality Education, which offers training programs like the Education and Early Education Warriors programs. These programs empower parents to push for policy changes at the city and state levels. <\/p>\n
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