State lawmakers are considering a small budget request to allocate $205 million to support children who lost a parent or legal caregiver to COVID-19 during the three-year pandemic. More than 80,000 New Yorkers died from the virus, leaving 18,000 children without a caregiver. Families are advocating for a COVID-19 Children’s Fund Program to provide support for these children, including creating “baby bonds” for savings accounts that can be used for future endeavors.
Advocates argue that it is the responsibility of the community and elected officials to ensure that these children have a positive future despite their loss. Lawmakers are pushing for this program to be included in the budget, with support from members of the organization COVID Survivors for Change. The program, which is a spending priority for the Senate and Assembly, aims to provide financial security for children who have experienced the loss of a caregiver.
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz sponsors the legislation and believes it is the least the state can do for families who have suffered a loss during the pandemic. The fund would provide benefits to children based on their age at the time of their caregiver’s death, with a focus on addressing the financial impact of losing a parent. Advocates emphasize the importance of supporting these children and correcting injustices that occurred during the pandemic.
Overall, the goal of the COVID-19 Children’s Fund Program is to provide financial security and support for children who have lost a caregiver to the virus, ensuring that they have a positive future despite their loss. Members of COVID Survivors for Change continue to advocate for additional legislation to support families affected by the pandemic.
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