New York, NY, March 22, 2010 – Computers for Youth (CFY), the nation's foremost leader in improving the Home Learning Environment of low-income school-children, is taking the lead on implementing the family-centered components of an exciting new initiative of the New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications and the New York City Department of Education that will educate nearly 19,000 low-income families.  The program will partner directly with schools to teach families about broadband options, give them family-based training and offer them free home learning technology. The grant was awarded by the Federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and totals nearly $22M.

"Over our ten year history of working with schools to improve their students' Home Learning Environment, we've found that Internet access is an essential educational tool," said Mark Malaspina, CFY's Chief Officer, Operations and Strategic Partnerships.  "By giving families both training and home computers, we are not only increasing broadband access to the Internet, but we are also helping to close the learning gap between low-income children and their more well-off peers."

CFY was founded in New York City in 1999 and since then has provided learning-oriented programs in both English and Spanish to over 20,000 families. CFY's program creates a unique synergy wherein at-home and classroom-based learning positively reinforce each other. The Take IT Home program is grounded in university-level academic research which has shown that the Home Learning Environment is a critical component of a child's academic success.

"CFY's programs have helped our families," said John Barnes, Principal of the Bronx Early College Academy. "CFY’s programs with the DOE’s own programs have helped to increase parental confidence.  Parents feel comfortable getting involved in their child's learning, which is a component to a student’s overall academic success."

In partnership with approximately 100 schools across New York City, CFY will provide free family-centered training focused on using technology to strengthen core academic skills. Each family takes home its own new home computer that is broadband-ready and includes pre-installed learning software that has been carefully selected to be both engaging and educational. Families also receive broadband enrollment information, including available local discounts, and bilingual 24/7 tech support.

External research has proven that CFY's Take IT Home program significantly improves parental engagement and increases students' scores on standardized tests, particularly in critical subjects like mathematics.  In addition, after participating in CFY's workshops, 94% of New York City parents say they feel more confident that they can help their child learn and 91% say they feel more connected to their child's school. Nationwide, eighty-three percent (83%) of teachers in schools that partner with CFY stated that: “As a result of CFY programs, the level of overall parental participation in students’ learning and education has increased,” and more than 94% of the teachers and a full 100% of principals report that CFY is having a positive effect on students’ outlook on school. 

"We are excited to be partnering with New York City on this exciting initiative," said Elisabeth Stock, CEO and Co-Founder of CFY. "Together we will be able to bring learning into the homes of thousands of families and help to make sure that a new generation of New Yorkers is able to succeed.  This grant is a huge leap forward toward ensuring that every American child has access to high-quality educational resources and meaningful interactions around learning in their homes."

ABOUT COMPUTERS FOR YOUTH (CFY) 
CFY is the nation's leader in improving the Home Learning Environment of low-income schoolchildren. CFY works across the country to educate thought leaders and policymakers on the importance of expanding educational policy priorities to include learning in the home. CFY's signature direct service program selects high-poverty middle schools and offers training designed to help parents become more effective learning partners to and a computer loaded with educational software to all sixth-grade families. Studies confirm that CFY’s programs have significantly improved students’ test scores and class effort and have increased parents’ confidence and involvement. Since 1999, CFY has partnered with more than 50 schools in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. CFY also has an Affiliate Network of 25 organizations in 17 states and the District of Columbia.  For more information, please visit www.cfy.org.