• Home
  • About
  • News
  • Youth Ask Elected Officials Tough Questions at Annual Children’s Legislative Breakfast
Monday, March 02, 2015

Youth Ask Elected Officials Tough Questions at Annual Children’s Legislative Breakfast

SCARSDALE, NY (March 2, 2015) –The Child Care Council of Westchester and the Westchester Children’s Association hosted a “town hall” at the YMCA in White Plains on February 28th, where young people lead a Q&A with County Legislators Benjamin Boykin, Catherine Borgia, Michael Smith and Alfreda Williams. Also present were Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett, and Regent Harry Phillips, along with an audience of approximately 100 educators, child care professionals, community and non-profit leaders, and parents.

The children, ages 10-21 from Ossining, White Plains, New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon and Elmsford, posed questions regarding the legislators’ own experiences as children, what they’ve done in their careers to support the availability of early care and education, the lack of STEM programs in Yonkers and other areas of lower Westchester, the cost of bussing in White Plains, and access to college for children of undocumented immigrants.

All of the legislators readily acknowledged the importance of universal access to quality early care and education for children, starting at birth.

“It’s an investment that pays off, allowing children to grow up to live productive lives that benefit society,” said Catherine Borgia.

“The idea of waiting until a child is 5 or 6 to start the education process is archaic and inefficient,” added Alfreda Williams.

“We need current and future elected officials to take a longer-term perspective, because failures in early education manifest later in school and college,” said Michael Smith.

Legislators Boykin and Smith encouraged the young people to get involved in the legislative process now, by joining student associations at school, participating in the Youth In Government program, and visiting the state capitol. Then, when they are old enough, to vote and even run for office.

To open the event, the Westchester Children’s Association discussed its 2015 Children By the Numbers Data Bulletin, which highlights demographics, economics, education, youth and young adults, health and child welfare.

 

About the Child Care Council of Westchester
The Child Care Council of Westchester is a private, nonprofit resource organization that champions the healthy development of children, families and communities by promoting quality early care and education. A unique, “one stop” agency for child care, the Council offers parent referrals, training, information, technical assistance, reports on the industry, and public education for parents, child care programs, governmental organizations and the business community. Since its inception in 1968, the Council has grown to become the premier authority on child care services throughout Westchester County. The Council recently attained Quality Assurance, establishing it as one of the nation’s leading Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs). The national recognition was awarded by Child Care Aware® of America.

Contact:
Hillary Millman, In Better Words
(914) 295-0454
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Connect

Contact Us

Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.

313 Central Park Avenue
Scarsdale, New York 10583

Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Child Care Specialists extended hours are available on Tuesdays until 7pm to help you make an informed decision about child care.

Phone: (914) 761-3456
Toll-Free: 1 (844) 387-7525

Fax: (914) 761-1957

Email us

handicap icon    se habla espanol