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Q&A

Farías questions DYCD on outreach and service access for LGBTQ youth

New York City Council · Jun 24, 2026 · starts 0:40:09 · 1 min 30 sec

Farías asks how DYCD ensures LGBTQ youth know about services. Ascherl describes word-of-mouth referrals, social media presence, Discover DYCD, palm cards, and street outreach vans as key outreach channels.

Amanda C. Farías

And how do you folks at TYCD ensure that the LGBTQs know about the available services and can access them safely?

Amanda C. Farías

Obviously, like the drop-in centers are a great example where there's 24-hour care and they can go in at any point.

Amanda C. Farías

But other than services like the drop-in centers, how are we looking at making those available and the outreach?

Wanda Ascherl

Yeah, I think one of the things that

Wanda Ascherl

works and we've seen it historically and I think it works with any programs like word of mouth I think young people come you know talk to each other and they and they

Wanda Ascherl

and they hear about the great things that are happening and so that's been really really helpful especially for all LGBTQIA young population they we rely on refer

Wanda Ascherl

Sorry.

Wanda Ascherl

Thank you so much.

Wanda Ascherl

We rely on referrals.

Wanda Ascherl

DYCD also has a strong social media presence and Instagram and Facebook, Twitter.

Wanda Ascherl

We also have Discover DYCD where all the services are.

Wanda Ascherl

Are available and accessible and people can inquire about these programs.

Wanda Ascherl

And then we have the palm cards, which we actually brought extras so we can distribute some of those.

Wanda Ascherl

And that's also available.

Wanda Ascherl

And then we also have the street outreach piece where we have six days per week.

Wanda Ascherl

Assisting youth in need, and then, as you mentioned, our drop-in centers, and then the street outreach vans, as I mentioned.