Camille Murphy, Chair of the Public Policy Committee, thanked the Council's Board of Directors for approving the 2023 Public Policy Agenda, which sets goals at every level of government - county, state and federal.
With the 2023 Westchester County budget process underway, the Board's emphasis is clearly on securing continuation of the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program, which helped over 400 children access safe, regulated care so their parents could work. The Public Policy Agenda also calls for a reduction in the parent share from 10% to 1% of income over the Federal Poverty Level, for parents utilizing Child Care Assistance via DSS, and greater participation in early learning programs for children experiencing homelessness.
"The County is to be applauded for its commitment to child care. Child care is often the biggest bill in the house; Westchester Works scholarships brought much needed relief to hard-working area families for the first time. About a third of the recipients work in healthcare, a key industry for our entire community. We're calling on the County to renew this commitment for 2023," stated Murphy.
The Public Policy Committee expects a very busy season on state and federal child care advocacy as well.
Click here for a copy of the 2023 Public Policy Agenda.
