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Council Discourse

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Q&A

Stevens questions DYCD on staffing structure and burnout for program directors

New York City Council · Jun 23, 2026 · starts 1:14:19 · 1 min 28 sec

Stevens raises provider concerns about needing three leadership positions to prevent burnout, with most sites unable to afford it. Asherall confirms staffing structure and funding needs will be part of the upcoming assessment, acknowledging directors function as 'mini EDs.'

Althea V. Stevens

So my next question on providers and both cornerstones of the...

Althea V. Stevens

Beacons report that they need three, at least three leadership positions to staff to balance out the need to have management positions on site at all times to prevent burnout.

Althea V. Stevens

However, most sites are not able to support three leadership positions due to budget constraints and meaning that program directors are often stretched thin, working excessive hours.

Althea V. Stevens

Have DYCD evaluated the staffing structures in regards to the responsibilities and hours of these programs?

Althea V. Stevens

Will DYCD consider increasing program budgets to address this issue and receive adequate staff, program staff?

Wanda Asherall

That is going to be part of the assessment that we're hoping to gather.

Wanda Asherall

And that will help determine the actual funding need and staffing needs to sustain.

Wanda Asherall

To what I said earlier about community centers don't just do after school.

Wanda Asherall

Oh, I know that.

Wanda Asherall

I know what I'm saying.

Wanda Asherall

Do all the things.

Wanda Asherall

Exactly.

Wanda Asherall

People think they just do that.

Wanda Asherall

I always say that our beacons and our cornerstone directors are mini EDs.

Wanda Asherall

I often say that.

Wanda Asherall

They're mini EDs.

Wanda Asherall

We are literally running around.

Althea V. Stevens

Not only are they EDs, they're also the janitor, the cook.

Wanda Asherall

Right, right.

Althea V. Stevens

All the things, the repairman, all the things, the plumber.

Wanda Asherall

And so when we start doing our assessment and our focus group conversations and our surveys, those are the kind of things that we are going to be looking for and asking for.