SLATER HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR BIPARTISAN INVESTMENT IN CHILD CARE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES ACROSS NEW YORK

Slater speaking in the Assembly Chamber on this issue

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) joined a press conference on the Million Dollar Staircase last week urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and Albany leaders to address New York’s growing child care crisis. While New York state has made strides to expand access and raise provider reimbursements, the child care system is facing a significant funding shortfall.

Without immediate action, between 4,000 and 7,000 families per month will lose or be denied child care assistance. Already, New York City and seven counties—Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Madison, Saratoga, Warren and Washington—have closed enrollment and begun turning families away. Two more counties are expected to close enrollment in April, with two more following in June. As a result, parents will be forced to make difficult decisions about their ability to work, while many child care programs risk closure.

“Child care is a nonpartisan issue that keeps New Yorkers working and children safe,” said Slater. “The call to invest an additional $1 billion in child care assistance and workforce support is modest compared to the quarter of a trillion dollars set to be spent in this year’s state budget. Ensuring families can care for their kids and put food on the table should be top of the list of priorities. Without this investment, thousands of families will lose care, and the child care workforce shortage will only worsen.”

Slater has signed onto a letter to Gov. Hochul, Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to express concern over the future of the Child Care Assistance Program and its impact on families across the state.

“As a father of two young children, I’ve experienced this issue firsthand and know many people who have too. Reports from the Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress demonstrate the need for us to focus on this in the Hudson Valley. I will continue to help sound the alarm on this as we continue on in the budget process,” Slater concluded.