Child Poverty Reduction
Nearly one in five New York children live in poverty, and that rate approaches one in four for Black, Latinx, and Native American children. The chronic stress of poverty can have devastating effects on growing families and impacts the brain development of young children.
Many parents of young children lack access to state and federal programs designed to promote economic stability for New Yorkers and reduce child poverty.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
Investments in families’ economic security are critical measures to furthering equity statewide for Black, Latinx, and Native American families, families from low-income backgrounds, and immigrant families. We advocate for poverty-reduction policies that will provide economic stability for families, such as improving access to child care subsidies, food, and housing benefits, an expanded Empire State Child Tax Credit, and more. Our team also collaborates with the NY Can End Child Poverty coalition and the Governor’s Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council, which is charged with finding solutions to cut child poverty in half in New York State by 2032.
Latest Resource
Report: From Barriers to Opportunity: Confronting New York’s Systemic Barriers to Early Childhood and Poverty-Reduction Programs
Far too many New York families do not benefit from local, state, and federal support they need to raise healthy and thriving children due to systemic barriers standing in their way. These hurdles are especially steep for Black and Latinx families, immigrants, and other historically marginalized groups.
Across child care and public benefit programs, we found striking similarities in terms of the barriers that were most pernicious in limiting families’ access to resources, such as lack of information; difficulty applying for and securing benefits; and program-specific limitations.
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
Parent Voice: Child Tax Credits Help, Working Families Credit Can Do More
Sen. Gounardes’ Working Families Tax Credit Included in Senate & Assembly Budget Proposals
Testimony for the Public Hearing on Public Benefits (2024)
Early Childhood Policy & Advocacy Lab
Data Snapshot
Nearly
Black, Latinx, and Native American children experience poverty in New York State.
Children in
other states are less likely to experience poverty than those in New York.
More Resources
In the Face of Federal Attacks on Education Access, New York Must Lead
As federal actions strip funding and exclude vulnerable students, New York must defend equitable access to public education. Arlen Benjamin-Gomez calls on us to speak out and push back, together and unapologetically.
EdTrust-New York Education Platform for New York City
Discover what New York City’s next mayor must do to protect students, defend equity, and strengthen education from early childhood through college.
Federal Shutdown Disrupts Critical Supports; EdTrust-New York Commends State Efforts and Urges Swift Federal Action
We commend Governor Kathy Hochul for taking swift action today by announcing an additional $65 million in emergency food assistance for New York State. Over the past week, she has directed $41 million in emergency funds to feed New Yorkers, bringing the total investment in food security to $106 million.
EdTrust-New York FY27 Executive Budget Request
EdTrust-New York’s 2026 policy agenda is premised on the belief that all children can succeed in school when provided with high-quality, culturally relevant instruction and support that is equity-driven, data-centered, and student-focused. To improve outcomes across the state, particularly for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, EdTrust-New York advocates for an equitable system of education that helps schools meet the following milestones.
How New York Can Protect Children, Students, and Families from Federal Attacks on Medicaid and SNAP
New York ranks 40th in child poverty. The state’s Child Poverty Reduction Act aims to cut that rate in half within a decade, but harmful federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP threaten progress — compounding hardship for millions of families.
How New York Can Protect Children from Federal Attacks on Head Start and Early Education
The Trump administration’s actions threaten New York’s youngest learners by cutting Head Start funding, restricting access, and advancing anti-immigrant policies. Without action, these federal attacks could harm children and families for generations.