Date	Time	Location
Thursday, September 24, 2015	10:00am	Assembly Hearing Room 250 Broadway, Room 1923, 19th Floor New York, New York

Currently, New York State has some of the highest levels of child poverty in the country. According to U.S. Census data from 2013, 22% of children under the age of eighteen are living below the federal poverty level (the U.S. Census defines the family poverty level for a family of four as $24,250 annually). According to the same U.S. Census data, 30% of children in New York live in poverty, far exceeding the state average. Poverty is far reaching and has lasting effects on our children; according the American Psychological Association, children living in poverty have an increased likelihood of teen pregnancy, dropping out of high school, ending up in the foster care system or becoming part of the juvenile justice system.

The Committees hope, by conducting this hearing, greater attention will be brought to the issue, which will allow us to better understand and address the reasons for this growing issue. With a better understanding of the barriers that keep children and families in poverty for generations, the Assembly hopes to find ways to create a pathway out of poverty and into a life of self-sufficiency.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form at least twenty four hours prior to the commencement of the hearing. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes' duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize this hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committees' interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on Child Poverty are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email, or fax it to: