Resources for Children with Special Needs

The Foundation supported Resources for Children with Special Needs, which works for families and children with special needs across all boroughs, to understand, navigate, and access the services needed to ensure that all children have the opportunity to develop their full potential.

For NYC students with disabilities, graduation rates remain at about 30% and in the poorest communities as low at 17%. The percentage of students with disabilities citywide earning Regents diplomas is only 10.5%. The right high school for the City's most at-risk students is essential, but without help, these are the students most likely to “fall through the cracks.” The Youth in Transition project that we supported prepares middle school students with disabilities in NYC public community schools to successfully identify and apply for high schools that will provide appropriate academic challenges; develop their interests, skills, and passions; and provide needed support to succeed. This is a multi-year project with Year One focusing on students, schools and families in the South Bronx districts 7 and 9, with the goal of expanding in future years.