ALBANY, NY (WENY)-- Following the enactment of the Child Poverty Act last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul launched an advisory council to reduce child poverty statewide. Thursday morning, the council met for the first time. 

The council members range from advocate associations, Regional Economic Development Councils, and community members who have first-hand experience with poverty. 

"I wanna be out of poverty," said community member Candace Cabral.

The council has a goal of cutting child poverty in the state in half over the next decade. In their first meeting, the council highlighted considerations including disproportionate factors in different communities. They also highlighted that employment alone does not necessarily help people escape poverty. 

Moving forward, the council plans on gaining input from agencies, bringing in data experts to measure poverty levels, and working with the Urban Institute to develop updated poverty reduction measures that are New York specific. 

The next advisory council meeting is scheduled for this upcoming December.