(C) Common Dreams
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Money in Your Pockets: Governor Hochul Proposes $110 Million Child Care Construction Fund to Build and Renovate Child Care Facilities [1]
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Date: 2025-04
Department of Labor (DOL) Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “I thank Governor Hochul for advancing bold proposals that continue to deliver for families statewide. These strategic investments will strengthen New York State’s child care system to be safe, affordable and address child care deserts, enabling more parents to be a part of our workforce.”
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, “Since the re-launch of the Child Care Availability Task Force, New York has continued to make great strides in reducing out-of-pocket costs for families, increasing access to quality care statewide, and supporting the vital workforce. Governor Hochul’s latest proposals coupled with the Task Force’s practical framework will get New York State closer to the eventual goal of universal child care. Our collective efforts are making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of families, with enrollment in the publicly funded Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) increasing by over a third in the last year.”
Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Governor Hochul recognizes that affordable and accessible child care is integral to enabling all New Yorkers to thrive and to succeed in their families and in their work. DASNY is proud to administer grants on behalf of our State partners to make child care available to New Yorkers who depend on affordable child care to enable them to work.
Today’s announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s historic $7 billion investment to expand and improve child care accessibility and affordability for working families. This includes initiatives to help families by raising the eligibility threshold for child care assistance so families of four making up to $108,000 are eligible for child care that costs only $15 per week. The Governor also launched a new online portal to make the application process as easy as possible for eligible families.
Governor Hochul has also supported child care providers to ensure their work is financially viable in the long term. The Governor has increased quality and accessibility by increasing reimbursement rates and creating differential payments to providers who meet certain quality standards and provide care during non-traditional work hours.
The Governor has continued to partner with the business community to incentivize responsible employers to offer child care to their employees, including through the Business Navigator program, the Employer-Supported Child Care pilot program, and the Family Child Care Network. Governor Hochul's landmark Green CHIPS legislation, which is revitalizing New York's high-tech manufacturing sector, requires companies to support child care as a requirement for receiving State support.
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[1] Url:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/money-your-pockets-governor-hochul-proposes-110-million-child-care-construction-fund-build-and#:~:text=In%20her%20Executive%20Budget%2C%20Governor,sites%20for%20kids%20and%20providers.
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