New York State is expanding child care funding for working and low-income families. The state is distributing $2 billion to help increase the number of families that receive financial support for child care costs.

Child care is an essential service, and in New York, we will continue to do everything in our power to make sure more working families have access to it. ~Gov. Hochul

The $2 billion includes,

- New York State Child Care Block Grant $894 million new funding passed in the recent State Budget
- $500 million in unspent money that was previously allocated to local departments of social services
- $600 million in current COVID-19 pandemic funding

In August 2022 the eligibility of a family will increase from 200 percent to 300 percent, to $83,250 for a family of four. Expanding the income eligibility will allow more families to receive funding.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services released $30 million in federal grant funding to help alleviate child care deserts around the state. The grant will help expand "existing licensed, registered, or permitted child care programs."

Governor Kathy Hochul said,

I know firsthand how a lack of child care can hurt your career, your family and your future, as a working mother when I was forced to leave my job to care for my child. These historic investments in New York State's child care system will allow us to forge a new path forward for parents, especially mothers. It is the right thing to do, the moral thing to do, and will supercharge our economic recovery and support working families. Child care is an essential service, and in New York, we will continue to do everything in our power to make sure more working families have access to it.

You can get more info about child care funding from your local Office of Children and Family Services.

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