Child Care Council News and Events

Urges Department of Treasury to enable childcare providers to access critical funding, resources, and support through the federal CARES Act

May 4, 2020 (Rochester, NY) — Today, Rep. Joe Morelle released a letter sent to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging him to enable providers of childcare services and early childhood education to access critical resources and relief through the recently enacted CARES Act.

“Childcare providers are not only a critical asset to families across our community, they are the backbone of our economy,” said Congressman Morelle. “It is imperative that we take action to ensure these facilities have the resources and support they need to stay afloat during these challenging times. I urge Secretary Mnuchin to take immediate action to enable childcare providers to access the relief my colleagues and I secured as part of the CARES Act, and to prioritize the long-term support of this essential sector as we move forward.”

“Over the past 5 years, New York State lost 12,152 child care facilities. With the pandemic now, the Center for American Progress’ recent analysis estimates that roughly half of NYS child care capacity is at risk of permanently disappearing: 176,000 licensed child care slots,” said Larry Marx, CEO, The Children’s Agenda. “ While Gov. Cuomo has rightly designated child care an ‘essential business,’ and the CDC’s recommendations for reopening state that ‘the first priority is to reopen community settings where children are cared for,’ the President and Congress have yet to act with the funding necessary to ensure child care remains an option for families going back to work. The Children’s Agenda applauds Congressman Morelle for his leadership on the issue.”

“Child Care Council commends Congressman Morelle for continuing to be a child care champion as he clearly relates the reality of our current pandemic crisis to the survival of the child care industry,” said Barbara-Ann Mattle, CEO, Child Care Council Inc. “During this crisis, the child care system is integral to the functioning of all other essential services. It is my hope that when business returns to normal, the federal government will realize that child care as an industry is also an integral part of our country’s economy and, as such, requires ongoing support.”

The childcare sector is collapsing due to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis — major child care providers have experienced an approximate 75% drop in attendance due to state and local stay-at-home orders, resulting in closures of about 65% of programs. In fact, some of the largest providers have experienced an 85% to 90% decline in enrollment. Without assistance, many childcare providers will be forced to close for good, leaving families with nowhere to turn and leading to a significantly slower recovery for the U.S. economy.

Child Care Council Inc. to connect income-eligible workers with scholarships

During the COVID-19 crisis, income-eligible essential workers in Monroe, Livingston and Wayne counties can apply to Child Care Council Inc. for scholarships to pay the full cost of child care.

To qualify, families of eligible workers must have an adjusted gross income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, which amounts to an annual income of $78,600 for a family of four. Essential workers using a licensed or registered child care provider will receive a scholarship for the cost of care while New York state is on PAUSE, as long as the funds to support it are available.

This child care funding allocation for essential workers comes to the state from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which has provided New York state with $163.6 million in emergency relief to the child care system. New York state is using a portion of this funding to provide free child care for eligible essential workers.

“Child Care Council applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration for developing a plan to provide child care to essential workers at no cost,” said Barbara-Ann Mattle, CEO, Child Care Council Inc. “Access to affordable, quality child care is a barrier for working parents during the best of times, and even more so during this crisis. The CARES Child Care Scholarship will ensure that children of the essential workforce are protected and cared for as they continue to serve the community.”

Eligible essential employees can apply for a scholarship by contacting Child Care Council at [email protected] or (585) 654-4720. Council staff will contact applicants within one to two business days to gather more information and help identify a participating child care program or work with their current registered or licensed child care provider. The Council will use the gathered information, including a signed verification letter from their employer, to establish that they are an essential employee, enroll them in the CARES Child Care Scholarship and ensure that the child care program gets paid.

Parents and providers also can access more details through the following links:

Parent Application: This informs parents that the application will be considered complete once the online application is finished and the required supplemental documentation is submitted to Child Care Council. It indicates that the scholarship is currently available through May 1, 2020, and/or as long as the funding remains to support the scholarship.

For parents that currently receive subsidy from DSS to pay for child care, this scholarship can cover the parent co-pay. Parents should apply for the CARES Act Scholarship, and then contact their local Department of Social Services to get a letter stating their current co-pay.

Provider Information Profile (PIP): This Program Information Profile at the link above is an application for providers to accept CARES Scholarship recipients and payments. After completion of this profile, providers will be contacted by Child Care Council with further information about how they can participate in the program.

Here is updated information on Monroe County subsidy policies, from the County’s website:

Hundreds of child care programs remain open in Monroe, Livingston and Wayne counties during the COVID-19 crisis.

During this difficult time, the Council can help your employees meet their child care needs – through free referrals to child care programs and guidance on how best to choose a program.

Call (585) 654-4720 for more details.

Below is a list of emergency meal distribution sites for youth across Monroe County. You can also view the list on the Monroe County Youth Bureau website.

Flower City Produce Inc. is putting together a package deal that’s open to the public on a pre-order basis. A box costs $25 and comes with a mix of fresh fruits and veggies for you to choose from (see below).

Pick-up is Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Flower City Produce Inc. within the Public Market (20-22 Rochester Public Market). Curbside pickup can also be arranged. Call (585) 733-7044 to order.

Good Food Collective has opened up its wholesale to the public. You can order large (or small) quantities of local produce as well as meat, cheese, yogurt, etc. They also deliver or pick up. Visit the Collective’s website for more information.