Legislators in the New York state Assembly, just like many parents across the state, require child care due to their long and unpredictable hours at the Capitol. However, finding and affording high-quality child care is a daunting challenge for most families in New York. The cost of full-time care is on average over $16,000 per year, while child care providers are often paid low wages. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of child care options in many communities. This challenge is particularly significant for parents who work nontraditional hours, such as New York legislators.
To address this issue, the Empire State Campaign for Child Care has been advocating for a thriving, universal, and high-quality child care system since 2017. Their goal is to ensure that every family in New York, regardless of their location, job type, or required hours, can access free child care, akin to public school, without any immigration, work, or income restrictions. Achieving this objective relies on recognizing the value of child care educators who will facilitate this system.
The 2023-24 state budget expands eligibility for child care assistance, making it accessible to more families and streamlining the application process. Additionally, legislators have passed a bill, awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature, that guarantees affordable full-day, full-time care for families with nontraditional work schedules. These policy measures mark significant progress in the right direction. However, to ensure sufficient high-quality child care for all families in need, it is imperative to make substantial and permanent investments directly into the child care workforce.
As a member of New York’s Child Care Availability Task Force, which is responsible for developing a framework for universal child care implementation, I can attest to the growing challenges faced by families and child care providers, particularly in light of economic hardships. The promise of universal child care signifies New York’s unwavering commitment to supporting families unconditionally. However, realizing this promise requires bold action and unwavering dedication to fulfilling it for every family.
We extend an invitation to all concerned New Yorkers, including parents, grandparents, employers, educators, clergy, and union members, to continue pressuring our elected leaders and join the movement for universal child care. We also urge Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and all New York leaders to remain steadfast in their commitment to assisting every family in finding and affording the child care they require.
Dede Hill, Director of Policy for the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, contributed to this article.
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