POLICY PRIORITIES

Policy Priorities

Find below WCA’s current policy priorities from the local, to the state and federal levels, covering legislative bills such as Solutions Not Suspensions, to programs such as Head Start!
 
Included in each issue areas are brief explanations of our policy priorities, as well as links to take action!
Click on issue areas below and see WCA’s current policy priorities!

HEAD START

Federal Program for Early Childhood Education

National Head Start Association website

A federal program providing early childhood education, health and nutrition services to low-income children and families.

CURRENT ADVOCACY:

Current funding levels for Head Start sustained. Advocating for future funding increases and eligibility protection for immigrant families. 

WCA is the Westchester Lead for the Head Start Coalition.

RIGHT TO COUNSEL BILL

Bill Number: (S02721 / A01493)

Statewide Right to Counsel Website

A NY State bill to establish the civil right to counsel in eviction proceedings in New York state, creating the New York State Office of Civil Representation to provide legal representation to eligible individuals facing eviction or housing loss.

CURRENT ADVOCACY:

The bill is in Education Committee in NY Senate and Assembly

WCA is the Westchester Lead for the Solutions, Not Suspensions Coalition.

SOLUTIONS NOT SUSPENSIONS BILL

Bill Number: (S1040B/A5691A)

SOLUTIONS NOT SUSPENSIONS Coalition Website

A NY State bill which would make conforming amendments to codes of conduct on school property and disciplinary action, mandating supportive conduct codes, limits suspensions, and requires alternative instruction for suspended students.

CURRENT ADVOCACY:

The bill is in Education Committee in NY Senate and Assembly

WCA is the Westchester Lead for the Solutions, Not Suspensions Coalition.

RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT (YOUTH INTERROGATION BILL)

Bill Number: (S878/A2620)

#Right2RemainSilent Coalition website

A NY State bill which would require youth under 18 to have the opportunity to consult with counsel prior to police interrogation. 

CURRENT ADVOCACY:

The bill has passed the NY Assembly, and is currently in the NY Senate Codes Committee

WCA is the Westchester Lead for the Right 2 Remain Silent Coalition.

YOUTH JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

A NY state bill which would make more young people eligible for youthful offender status and creates a new category for “young adult” offenders (ages 19-25); it also allows eligible past convictions to be automatically sealed and limits their sentences to help provide better chances for rehabilitation and reduce negative impacts on their futures.

CURRENT ADVOCACY:

The bill is currently in the NY Assembly and Senate Codes Committees.

WCA is the Westchester Lead for the YJO Coalition.

YOUTH JUSTICE INNOVATION FUND BILL

Bill Number: (S643/A767)

Need website link for Youth Justice Innovation fund

A NY state bill which would allocate funding from the Raise the Age appropriation for community-based organizations to provide prevention, intervention and alternatives to detention, placement and incarceration.

CURRENT ADVOCACY:

The bill has passed the NY State Senate, and is currently in the NY Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

WCA is the Westchester Lead for the Raise the Age/Youth Justice Innovation Fund Coalition.

NEW YORK FOR ALL ACT

A NY State bill which would prohibit and regulate the discovery and disclosure of immigration status; prohibit police officers and state/local authorities from questioning individuals regarding their citizenship or immigration status.

CURRENT ADVOCACY:

The bill is in Codes Committee in NY Senate and Assembly

 

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