I. Summary of Important Facts  

• The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) operates 38 LYFE centers throughout the five boroughs, most often in high schools (occasionally in community based organizations).
• Each LYFE site has a childcare center for students’ young children and is linked to a social services and health referral network developed by the on site LYFE Social Worker.
• Children can enroll in LYFE soon as they are fully immunized (at the earliest, 8 weeks old) and can remain in the LYFE until the end of the school year in which they turn three years old.
• Any NYCDOE student can access referral services and/or enroll their child in childcare at any center, space permitting.  You do not need to attend the high school where the center is located to access the services.
• In most cases, LYFE childcare is free.
• Staff at the LYFE centers or at the Referral Center for High School Alternatives are available to assist with enrollment in the LYFE childcare centers as needed.

II. Frequently Asked Questions

The Living for the Young Family through Education (LYFE) program supports pregnant and parenting students enrolled in a NYC Department of Education school by providing childcare and referral services.  Each LYFE site has a childcare center for students’ young children and is linked to a social services and health referral network developed by the on site LYFE Social Worker.  The LYFE childcare centers are under the direction of a licensed Early Childhood Teacher, who is assisted and supported by two or three Care Givers (paraprofessionals).  As a team, they provide a safe and healthy learning environment that invites active exploration and play for the optimum growth and development of all infants and toddlers.

Use the attached directory to identify a LYFE center that would be convenient to travel to and from your school or home.

Children can enroll in LYFE soon as they are fully immunized (at the earliest, 8 weeks old) and can remain in the LYFE until the end of the school year in which they turn three years old. Visit http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E5F8186B-41A1-46C2-80B4-FC8B25239E91/19010/SH65MedReqr3096.pdf to learn more about immunization and medical requirements to enroll in a NYC school or program. You may also speak to your school’s Guidance Counselor, a LYFE Social Worker, or Support Staff at a Referral Center for High School Alternatives for more information.

The childcare services provided by the LYFE program are available to any student enrolled as a NYC Department of Education student.  Part of the enrollment process requires LYFE staff to verify that you are a NYCDOE student.  LYFE staff will check the system using your name, date of birth, and/or other personal information such as address or last school attended.

In most cases, LYFE child care is free.  As is customary for public-financed services, you will be asked to provide information about income in order to receive free services.  Even if you don’t qualify for free childcare, the cost will not exceed $3 per week.  Please speak with a Social Worker at a LYFE center or an Academic Intervention Specialist (AIS) or Guidance Counselor (GC) at a Referral Center for High School Alternatives to determine your eligibility.

There are three possible ways to enroll in a LYFE center: 

1. First, speak with the Guidance Counselor at your school. School Guidance Counselors can help you identify and enroll in a LYFE childcare center. If you have difficulty contacting your school’s Guidance Counselor or need additional help you should,
   
   
2. Use the attached LYFE directory to identify the site that is most conveniently located for you and contact the Social Worker there to schedule an enrollment appointment.
   
3. If you are still unable to enroll your child in a LYFE childcare center:
   Speak with an Academic Intervention Specialist (AIS), Social Worker (SW), or Guidance Counselor (GC) at a Referral Center for assistance.

See the table below for contact information.

If you experience difficulty in contacting a Referral Center,
please contact: The District 79 Office of Student Support Services

Phone 917- 521-3639
Fax 917-521-3649
4360 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10033

Part of the enrollment process requires LYFE staff to verify that you are a NYCDOE student.  LYFE staff will check the system using your name, date of birth, and/or other personal information such as home address or last school attended.  You will also be asked to provide documentation to verify identity, to ensure a healthy and safe environment at the center, and to determine the amount of your fee. Your school’s guidance counselor, LYFE social workers (listed in the attached LYFE directory), or Referral Center staff (AIS, SW, or GC listed above) can help you enroll your child and in some cases your child can attend the childcare center while completing the paperwork.  They are also available to help with any questions. To enroll your child in childcare, please bring:

• Birth Certificates for you and your child to verify identity and the relationship between you and your child
• Social Security Cards for you and your child (or notice that you choose not to disclose your SSN) to verify identity
• Medical examination forms and immunization records for you and your child to ensure a healthy and safe environment at the childcare center

For families seeking free child care services, you will need to provide additional documents about income.  This is common when seeking services that are publicly funded.  Sometimes, this can be completed while your child is attending the childcare center. Please bring:

• Public Assistance Card or statement that you are not receiving public assistance (including a report of income per month)
• If you receive Child support, you will be asked to complete a form claiming one of the following:  you have a child support order, you are pursuing child support, or you have “good cause” not to pursue child support

Staff at Referral Centers (Guidance Counselors or AIS) and LYFE centers are available to help you with the enrollment process if necessary. They can assist you with the three child support claims and answer all of your questions about LYFE enrollment and the program in general.

You can access the childcare center and referral services at any LYFE center in New York City. If your school doesn’t have a LYFE center or the center you had hoped to enroll your child in is full, use the attached LYFE directory to identify a LYFE center that would be most convenient for you to travel to and from while attending school. You should then call that center to schedule an appointment to enroll your child. You can also contact an Academic Intervention Specialist (AIS) or Guidance Counselor (GC) at the Referral Center for High School Alternatives in your borough for assistance in identifying and enrolling in a LYFE center.