Federal Funding To Expand 418 Existing Child Care Programs Located in Communities Where Capacity is Insufficient
Awards are Part of Governor Hochul's $100 Million Commitment To Reduce Child Care Deserts Statewide
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that nearly $30 million has been awarded to help increase capacity at more than 400 existing state-licensed, registered, or permitted child care programs that are located in underserved areas of the state. Administered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, the federal funding is part of Governor Hochul's $100 million initiative to help increase the capacity of programs located in child care deserts-areas of the state where there is insufficient capacity to serve existing need.
"No New Yorker should ever suffer the far-reaching and heart-wrenching effects of unaffordable and inaccessible child care programs," Governor Hochul said. "These latest awards will help New Yorkers access the quality child care programs they need to provide for their families and build careers. My administration will continue to make crucial investments in child care, ensuring working families and vulnerable populations receive the support and assistance they deserve."
Made available through the American Rescue Plan Act, the awards to 418 existing child care providers in underserved areas will help them build their programs; recruit, train and retain workers; and support their staff in accessing COVID-19 vaccines. In July, Governor Hochul announced more than $68 million to help establish 344 new child care programs in areas of the state considered child care deserts.
Child care deserts are areas of a county where there are three or more children younger than five for each available child care slot, or there are no available child care slots at all. Roughly 60 percent of New York State is considered a child care desert based on this criteria.
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