Items filtered by date: March 2024
NYS Budget Moves Child Care Ahead
NYS Budget Brings Good News on Child Care
Advocacy works. We made real progress for parents, child care/after school programs and employers in this budget. Much more to be done to address the staffing crisis in child care.
For families
- Income eligibility for child care assistance rises to 85% State Median Income (SMI) (or $93,258 for a family of 4), opening up access for thousands.
- Reduction in the family co-pay to 1% of family income above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
- Funding for a small pilot program to increase child care access for families of children who are currently excluded due to their immigration status.
- Expansion of the NY child tax credit to children 4 and under, making nearly 800,000 children newly eligible.
- Development of online applications and categorical income eligibility for child care assistance to ease some of the barriers to accessing child care.
- $150 million to expand preK to 20,000 more children statewide
For child care/after school programs
- $500 million for a 3rd round of stabilization grants for child care programs to use for workforce retention.
- Reimbursement for 80 absences annually per child where care is paid for by child care assistance.
For employers
- $4.8 million for an Employer Supported Child Care Pilot Program serving families with income between 85% and 100% of SMI in 3 regions of the state.
- Employer Child Care Tax Credit for businesses that create new child care options and expand existing programs for their workers.
- $1 million to create a business navigator program in each of the 10 Regional Economic Development Council regions to help businesses support the child care needs of their employees.
Child Care Business Enhancement Program
Sesión informativa de preparación para auditoría de subvención de estabilización de cuidado infantil
Child Care Stabilization Grant Audit Prep Info Session
Top 3 Reasons to Attend Dream Big 5/9
Top 3 Reasons to Attend Dream Big - and to invite your friends and colleagues
#3 - FUN
This year's event features all new fun stuff: experiential stations that highlight the importance of early education, and exciting activities led by auctioneer extraordinaire Cate Smit. Bring your competitive spirit!
#2 -RECOGNITION & GRATITUDE (is that two reasons?!)
The scholarships funded by Westchester County over the last two years have already helped more than 500 families! Don't miss this chance to say thank you to Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Board of Legislators for this critical investment in children and our collective future.
And the #1 reason to attend:
POSITIVE CHANGE
Your attendance at Dream Big will help us achieve universal access to quality child care - including early education, after school programming, and summer camp - as a way to build healthier families and communities. If you're wondering how much of a difference child care makes, you'll know for sure once you watch the special video we'll be airing at the event.
Ready, Set, Bid!
Online bidding for our Dream Big silent auction opens today!
Can't attend Dream Big? No worries! You don't have to be an event attendee to participate in the silent auction.
An "experiential" event
Have you ever helped create a mural?
Counted how long you keep a hula hoop going?
Been the person who toppled the giant Jenga tower?
You'll have the chance at Dream Big - the ultimate "party with a purpose."
But, don't worry. If your cocktail attire isn't hopscotch-ready, there are plenty of less intense activities.
Or, you are welcome to just mingle and enjoy the wonderful food and drink at Captain Lawrence!
Join us on May 9th to have fun, support our work to make quality early care and learning more accessible, applaud our honorees, and hear from people whose lives improved remarkably once child care was no longer a barrier.
Due April 26th - NYS Vaccination Survey
The NYS Child Care and Pre-Kindergarten Vaccination Survey is open and due by April 26, 2023. It is required by Public Health Law § 2164 to complete this Survey.
The immunization requirements apply to children enrolling in and attending day care and prekindergarten. PHL 2164 includes any public, private, or parochial child-caring center, day nursery, day care agency, nursery school, kindergarten, elementary, intermediate, or secondary school.
Helpful links:
NYS vaccination survey page link: Click Here. The survey is due by April 26th.
Information regarding accessing and completing the Immunization Survey for Child Care and Pre-Kindergarten:
Instructions for Accessing and Completing the Day Care and Pre-K Survey (PDF)
Survey Instructions:
The following worksheet may assist in calculating immunizations: Click Here
Questions may be directed here:
Immunization's School Assessment and Compliance Unit: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 518-474-1944.
Check out this Sneak Peek of our Silent Auction!
Dream Big 2023 is less than a month away and we are happy to announce our Online Silent Auction will open on Monday, May 1st!
This year's event is experiential - designed to remind us of the joys of childhood, and what we want childhood to be like for every child. Not only do you have the chance to celebrate our honorees, Westchester's dedicated early education and after school providers, child care advocacy victories, and you: our supporters - you may also place your bid on a variety of items such as; vacation packages, golf outings, jewelry, wine bundles and more!
Stay tuned for more details!
Governor Appoints Kathy Halas to Task Force
Council Executive Director Kathy Halas was appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul to a three-year term on the New York State Child Care Availability Task Force. New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins recommended her for the role. The task force, comprised of representatives from state and local offices, SUNY, CUNY, advocacy groups, nonprofits and others, will evaluate child care needs throughout the state, advise the state on implementation of universal child care, and seek to address the child care workforce crisis, among other things. "The child care crisis is not something any one community or entity can solve on its own; we must work together to develop sustainable policies and practices that will ensure every child and every family has access to safe, affordable, quality care," said Kathy. "I am grateful to Governor Hochul and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for including me on this task force and look forward to working with all members to create a child care system that provides a strong foundation for children, families and our economy."