Councilmember Epstein questions center-based provider cuts and Henry Street

Councilmember Epstein, followed by Councilmember Joseph.

Hi.

Good afternoon, Commissioner.

So I just want to first focus on center-based providers that lost their funding.

I know we've talked a lot about this, especially, you know, Henry Street in my district.

It's got a 150-year history providing services, has a Boys and Girls Republic Center that now, you know, how are we going to make them whole to ensure families who have been relying on that place for decades are going to be able to have services for their children there?

We're in the process of evaluating a strategy to really think about strengthening stability and continuity.

And so we're in the thick of that.

So what's our timeline for them to hear back from you?

I believe that the protesting period ends June 4th.

Yeah, June 4th, and everybody gets a briefing.

So thereafter, we hope to be able to identify kind of some next steps.

Yeah, because they have staff, and so they have staffing needs, and they're making some decisions.

We need to be able to do that.

And then families also have to make decisions based on that as well.

Yeah, absolutely.

So you think soon after June 5th you'll be able to get back to them?

Absolutely.