Brooklyn – Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) is asking the city Department of Education (DOE) to reconsider its shortsighted decision to no longer reimburse parents for the educational and therapeutic aspects of summer camps attended by many special needs students each year. Since the policy decision was made, Greenfield has heard from many concerned parents of special needs students who rely on summer camp to continue their child’s education, but are unable to afford full summer camp tuition.

The decision, labeled as a cost-savings measure, will have a detrimental impact on hundreds of special needs children who rely on the camps as a way to expand their boundaries and continue their year-round education and growth in a setting outside the city. The city was only responsible for the portion of summer camp tuition that covered educational components of the curriculum, with the parents responsible for the rest of the bill. As a result, this decision is likely to end up costing the city more money in the long run as more parents enroll their special needs children in DOE summer programs or in private schools, which the city is responsible for reimbursing parents for.

“Once again, special needs students and their parents are being unfairly targeted by the city in hopes of saving a few dollars, without regard for the impact this decision will have on the children. These summer camps provide a critical opportunity for a special needs child to continue learning throughout the summer, in an environment that fosters growth and new experiences. It’s not likely that this decision will even save taxpayers any money, while clearly depriving some of our most vulnerable youth one of the most important aspects of their education curriculum. I am asking that the DOE rethink this terrible decision and do what is best for our children, instead of turning on them to balance the budget,” said Greenfield.

Since word of this policy change reached the public over the past month, Greenfield’s office has received numerous calls from concerned and distressed parents who cannot send their child to camp without the DOE reimbursing the educational component, which the city is mandated by law to provide to every child throughout the entire year. In addition, a camp director from upstate New York contacted the Council Member on behalf of dozens of distressed parents. In response, Greenfield outlined his concerns in a letter to the DOE and is working with local education leaders, parents and his City Council colleagues to send a message to the mayor that they will fight this policy decision.

“The few weeks these children get to spend in the country go a long way towards providing them with a quality, well-rounded education and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in life. I am very concerned that eliminating this opportunity will have a detrimental impact on these children for years to come. Either way, the city must do the right thing and make sure all our children receive the education they deserve. I will stand by impacted parents and families to demand that the city do the right thing,” added Greenfield.

(YWN Desk – NYC)