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Council Discourse

NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

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Q&A

Councilmember Avilés questions adult literacy funding advocacy and $20M proposal

New York City Council · May 28, 2026 · starts 5:31:37 · 2 min 31 sec

Avilés asks about MOIA's advocacy for the $20M Education for Integration and Equity proposal. Officials confirm they've received the proposal and been in touch with DYCD, with conversations ongoing. Avilés emphasizes the need for proactive planning against federal adult literacy cuts.

Unidentified speaker

I guess just we can talk some more about that.

Unidentified speaker

I think we still have a whole three years with the Orange Chupacabra and a complex system, right?

Unidentified speaker

As we see every day, more and more changes are being made, which brings more complexity to the legal field.

Unidentified speaker

So I think there's just going to be an ongoing issue to make sure that we check in and be very precise with how we're supporting the building of the capacity.

Unidentified speaker

To find lawyers.

Unidentified speaker

In terms of adult literacy, I'm sorry I didn't, I think some of these questions probably for DYCD, but I'd like to know if MOYA is

Unidentified speaker

advocating for the new proposal around the $20 million for the, called the Education for Integration and Equity Program.

Unidentified speaker

An important allocation.

Unidentified speaker

I'd just like to know what those conversations have been like.

Unidentified speaker

We have been in touch with and have received a proposal that has been put out for the $20 million.

Unidentified speaker

I think I see some folks in the space who are here now.

Unidentified speaker

And we have touched base with DYCDs, but those conversations are ongoing.

Unidentified speaker

I don't have anything new to share, but happy to.

Unidentified speaker

We will be listening in to the DYCD hearing as well.

Unidentified speaker

As you know, the literacy is very important to MOYA and connected to the language justice work that we're doing generally.

Unidentified speaker

But that's what I have to share right now.

Unidentified speaker

No, I think we missed it.

Unidentified speaker

It was right before this one.

Unidentified speaker

But I think what's important to note here is obviously there is an RFP that has challenges that came out in 24.

Unidentified speaker

We're going to continue to ask critical questions around re-looking at that RFP for...

Unidentified speaker

What we knew were the consequences were going to be and in fact played out, that we continue to invest in adult literacy services.

Unidentified speaker

So even with the expansion, it's still woefully underfunded and a critical service.

Unidentified speaker

And I think we see that field is also under attack by the federal government.

Unidentified speaker

So what I would really like to see is like some proactive planning.

Unidentified speaker

Around understanding some of that money being swept away and our city being prepared to step in that gap.

Unidentified speaker

So thank you.

Unidentified speaker

Thank you.

Unidentified speaker

Thank you.