Low-income families get $200/child in ‘back-to-school’ program |
On Board Online • August 31, 2009
By Marc Humbert
Senior Writer
Low-income families across New York have been given back-to-school grants worth $200 per child under a state program funded mostly by federal stimulus money.
While officials said it was hoped the money would be used to buy back-to-school supplies, there is no requirement that it be spent that way.
A $35 million donation from two foundations created by billionaire George Soros enabled the state to obtain $140 million in federal support under a 4-1 matching funds program that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“This first-of-its-kind partnership in New York is an example of how the public and private sectors can work together to foster a brighter future for the low-income families of our state,” said Gov. David Paterson at an Aug. 11 news conference with Soros at a New York City school.
Paterson said the program would provide help to families with more than 800,000 children. It is for families on welfare or receiving food stamps and with children aged 3 - 17. The children do not have to be enrolled in school for families to receive the money.
While the program was welcomed by advocates for the poor and some education officials, it was denounced by Republican critics of Democrat Paterson as a “welfare giveaway.”
“This is a totally irresponsible use of federal stimulus money” for a program that is “ripe for fraud and abuse,” said state Senate Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos.
The bulk of the money, more than $110 million, will go to families in New York City. Outside the city, Erie County (Buffalo) will receive more than $7.7 million while Monroe County (Rochester) will get about $6.2 million and Onondaga County (Syracuse) will receive $3.8 million. In the major suburban counties surrounding New York City, top recipients are Suffolk County at $4 million and Westchester with $3.7 million.
Joining Paterson and Soros at the news conference were New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and schools Chancellor Joel Klein.
Klein said the funding was especially welcome because “a new school year can be overwhelming enough for families in good economic times.”