Greg Morris sits down with Scott French, Administrator of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), for a conversation about protecting New York City’s safety net at a critical moment.

French shares his journey from nonprofit leadership to overseeing an agency that serves more than three million New Yorkers each year. The discussion focuses on the return of expanded federal SNAP work requirements, what they mean for hundreds of thousands of city residents, and how HRA is working with community-based organizations to minimize confusion, prevent benefit loss, and keep families connected to essential wraparound supports.

They also tackle common misconceptions about public benefits, the realities of affordability and generational poverty, and recent efforts to better align housing subsidies, homelessness prevention, and workforce systems to support long-term stability.

Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on public service, accountability, and keeping the safety net strong for New Yorkers who need it most.

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition

Topics: HRA leadership and public service; SNAP; work requirements; protecting food assistance access; affordability and generational poverty; workforce development and benefits systems; housing subsidies and homelessness prevention; strengthening NYC’s safety net.

This week on the NYC Workforce Drop, Greg Morris welcomes New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin for a dynamic conversation on affordability, workforce development, and the city’s economic future.

Speaker Menin outlines her vision for a more proactive City Council — from advancing bold affordable housing strategies using public assets like libraries and vacant land, to reforming a broken procurement system that wastes taxpayer dollars. She shares why cracking down on long-term no-bid contracts could free up billions for priorities like universal childcare, a longtime focus of her leadership.

The conversation also spotlights the Council’s first-ever Committee on Workforce Development and why connecting workforce strategy to economic growth is essential as New York competes with other cities for jobs and talent.

Speaker Menin reflects on her work protecting billions in federal funding through the 2020 Census, expanding access to banking through the Municipal ID program, and creating a Committee to Combat Hate during a historic moment for the city’s leadership.

Tune in for a conversation on accountability, expanding opportunity, and building a more affordable, inclusive, and economically competitive New York City.

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition

Topics: proactive City Council leadership and governing vision; affordable housing development using public libraries and city-owned land; tackling NYC’s affordability crisis; procurement reform and eliminating long-term no-bid contracts; fiscal accountability and smarter city spending; universal childcare as economic policy; after-school access and working family support; childcare workforce and facility expansion; launching the City Council’s first Committee on Workforce Development; connecting workforce strategy to economic growth; job creation trends and interstate economic competition; attracting businesses and building tech corridors; protecting federal funding through the 2020 Census; establishing a permanent NYC Office of the Census; Municipal ID and financial empowerment for unbanked New Yorkers; public libraries as trusted civic infrastructure; combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate; interfaith leadership in a historic moment for New York City; long-term leadership and public service resilience.

In this NYC Workforce Drop mini episode, Greg Morris talks with Jeff Brault, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Hornblower Group, about how NYC Ferry invests in training, retention, and long-term career growth for its workforce.

Jeff breaks down what deckhand training actually includes, from customer service and ADA accessibility to safety, emergency response, and hands-on learning on active ferry routes. He also explains how ongoing professional development, internal training programs, and mentorship support career mobility, including pathways to captain licensure and advanced maritime roles.

The conversation highlights the employer investment required to make workforce development work—and why sustainable training pathways depend on long-term commitment, public–private partnership, and a focus on retention rather than churn.

Listen in for a look at how NYC Ferry is building durable maritime careers on New York City’s waterfront.

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition