New York Works for Children

Another conference in the books! We had a wonderful time at New York State Network for Youth Success's 2026 Empower Youth Success Conference. Congratulations again to our Director of Professional Development Quality Assurance, Tinnycua Williams, on receiving the Insight & Impact Award! We're so proud of you 💚

One of our favorite parts of New York Association for the Education of Young Children - nyaeyc's 2026 annual conference? Getting to see YOU! We loved reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting so many new members of the early childhood community. The passion and dedication in that room were truly something special 💚

📊 Read more ---> https://www.nyworksforchildren.org/the-aspire-registry/data-stories/

"My mom worked for United Way my entire childhood, and I was the little kid putting painted handprints on the volunteer thank you cards. I grew up coloring under tables until I was old enough to help, and I always knew I’d end up in this work because I’d seen the impact a nonprofit could make.

When I became pregnant with my son, I didn’t know what to do about child care. I ended up going to Child Care Resource Network (CCRN) in Buffalo. I was in the lobby with a newborn, exhausted and crying, and the staff immediately said, we’ve got you - whatever you need. That was my introduction to the agency I now work for.

Between the time I had my son and started working for CCRN, I worked in an afterschool program, which was a full-circle moment for me. I wanted to do something that was going to be impactful and fuel my soul. I have great memories of my own afterschool experiences: learning to tie my shoes, trying new foods, and making friends. So many important things happen during those few hours each day. The biggest value afterschool provides, just like early childhood programs, is a safe space.

When I had the opportunity to lead my own program, I discovered that I would need the School Age Care Credential. I was nervous because I felt “done” with school and was scared I would fail, but the material was completely relevant to my work, and I ended up loving the courses. During that year, though, the program shifted away from afterschool, and I felt lost. My advisor asked me what I was most passionate about, and I said safety. That conversation eventually led me to a registrar role, and later, teaching the credential preparatory course myself. CCRN had supported me in some of the hardest moments of my life, and it helped me understand what adulthood and a career could look like.

I hear all the time that kids will be fine on their own after the school day ends, but not always. Parents are still at work, and there are hours left in the day. Afterschool programs carry kids through that stretch of time. Parents know their child is safe, fed, and learning in an environment that may suit them better than a traditional classroom. If a kid needs to do homework on the floor or in a beanbag chair or with different lighting, staff can do that. Teachers can’t always give 30 kids one-on-one attention, but afterschool can. We serve families over the summer, too.

Afterschool programs also support families. I’ve seen support with housing, food, and clothing offered right at pickup. Kids grow community gardens and run service clubs. I was at a program where children were outside cleaning up their neighborhood because they decided they didn’t want to play in a place full of trash. Schools have lost so many arts and activity funding, but afterschool programs fill those gaps. They offer martial arts, Girl Scouts, robotics, and sports. Local colleges and music schools loan instruments and teach children how to play. Teens benefit from programming too, because they have nowhere to go between 3 and 7 p.m. Most businesses don’t want them hanging around, so afterschool becomes the safe and warm place to be.

Lack of child care is a workforce issue, and it affects every business — not just schools — because everyone employs people who have kids. Someone always knows somebody that relies on child care.

Right now, our biggest stressor is funding. We never quite know when it will appear, disappear, or arrive late. We worry about the loss of funding, which can happen suddenly, and overnight kids will have nothing. It takes about 90 days to get a program open. If funding comes in June, an entire summer goes by with kids left unsupervised or parents leaving work. You can’t safely fit more children in existing programs, so when programs we’re counting on don’t open, families feel it immediately.

I’ve seen what afterschool has done for our community. I made most of my childhood friends there. Kids need afterschool programs to build friendships, learn new skills, and discover what they love.

Our programs need the resources to keep providing that space. "

Join our storytelling project! https://eceofny.shorthandstories.com/nywfcproject/index.html

When preschoolers talk about fairness, powerful learning happens. This story highlights how young children can engage in meaningful conversations about equity, justice, and caring for one another. Check out the full excerpt from The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 's Each and Every Child: Teaching Preschool with an Equity Lens - a great read ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

“What About People Like Me?" Teaching Preschoolers About Segregation and “Peace Heroes” (Excerpt) Read an excerpt from Each and Every Child: Teaching Preschool with an Equity Lens

Taking the time to connect, celebrate, and appreciate one another. ✨Team lunch + gift exchange = meaningful moments beyond the workday. 🎁

Our executive director Dona Anderson (holding microphone) joined other early childhood education panelists to discuss the Day Care Council of New York's new report, "Building a Stronger Child Care Workforce for New York City." New York Works for Children contributed data to the report, which you can read here:https://www.dccnyinc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Workforce-Report-6sm.pdf

I chose to become a Behavior Interventionist because I’ve always felt a deep sympathy for children with autism. Growing up, I was considered “typical,” and it made me realize how easily people can be misunderstood or overlooked when they don’t fit the expected norms. I speak Mandarin, English, and French, and I started out doing translation and social work. A coworker suggested that I apply for a job in Applied Behavior Analysis. After completing the education and training, I realized this was the right path for me. It’s meaningful to meet children where they are and support their connection to the broader community in ways that respect their own pace.

My work focuses on reducing barriers that can make daily life more difficult. I support children by redirecting behaviors when needed, helping them express their preferences, and building daily living skills. I help them engage with their communities more comfortably by supporting communication and understanding. Social connection is so important for a child’s development. I often go with children to parks, stores, and other shared spaces to support their learning in social environments, to build their confidence, and engage with their peers.

Most of the families I work with are in the Asian community, where autism is still surrounded by a lot of stigma and misunderstanding. For some parents, it feels like a shadow they don’t want to acknowledge. My role is to support families in recognizing their child’s needs and strengths, and in finding a way forward that is informed and compassionate. One case still stays with me. A child was diagnosed with autism at age two. Around the same time, his father passed away. His mother was absent, and he lived with his grandparents. The only connection he had with his mother was an occasional phone call, but he was nonverbal, so there was no real communication. What he needed most was attention, consistency, and love. Progress can be slow
in cases like that - but slow doesn’t mean it’s impossible. When you give a child enough patience, enough structure, and enough care, you do see change. I saw it with him.

Society is also changing so fast. Technology, media, constant stimulation - even people without autism feel overwhelmed. For children who already struggle with communication, it can be even more intense. That’s why structure, patterns, and visual learning matter. Children with autism often have strong preferences, so supporting regulation and flexibility can be challenging. It's important to plan carefully and work through multiple approaches. Some days, I may spend over an hour helping a child regulate before we’re ready for thirty minutes of focused learning.

I’ve worked with one child for over five years. When I first met him, he was completely nonverbal. We had to take a long break because of COVID, and he regressed. It took a long time to get him back to where we started, but now he is beginning to speak in full sentences. The work can be exhausting, but when I see even a small amount of progress, I feel a real sense of achievement. It’s exciting and encouraging.

I continue to study and learn new techniques to better understand psychology. The more tools I have, the better I can support these children. Many cases are tough. But when I see a child connect, communicate, or take one small step forward, I know it’s worth it.

Join our storytelling project! https://nywfc.my.canva.site/eceofnyproject

Read other early childhood educators' stories:
https://nywfc.my.canva.site/eceofnyproject -more

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from all of us at New York Works for Children! Please note that for the next two weeks, the Aspire Registry will be operating under the following modified support schedule:

Monday 12/22: Phones open from 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 12/23: Phones open from 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 12/24 - Friday 12/26: Closed
Monday 12/29: Phones open from 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 12/30: Phones open from 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 12/31 - Thursday 1/1: Closed
Friday 1/2: Phones open from 8am - 4pm & Live Chat available 10am - 2pm

Wishing you all a joyful and safe holiday weekend!
Please note that the Aspire Registry office will be closed on Thursday, 11/27, and Friday, 11/28.