Barrett calls for release of federal aid for child care centers
A state assemblywoman from Hudson is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to release federal funding designed to benefit child care centers.
Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, a Democrat, has called on Cuomo to dole out the millions of dollars made available to the state through the CARES Act initiative.
Barrett’s office said that about $70 million has been allocated by the federal government.
“Before COVID-19, child care providers were already feeling financial strain and families across the state were struggling to access affordable child care — issues that have only been exacerbated by this public health and economic crisis,” Barrett said in a press release. “My colleagues and I are calling on the governor to release the full $70 million designated for child care in the federal CARES Act to better safeguard these essential providers.
“Right now, many families are struggling with hybrid and remote school schedules, making care for school-age kids a new and critical piece of the caregiving puzzle,” Barrett added. “Affordable, high-quality child care is critical for our state’s recovery, and I’ll continue doing everything I can to make that a reality for more New Yorkers.”
In an email sent Sunday afternoon in response to Barrett’s comments, Freeman Klopott, a spokesman for the state Division of the Budget, said, “The State has released $95 million of this federal funding so far and we continue to evaluate the needs of parents and child care providers as we seek to deploy remaining Federal resources, understanding that those needs continue to change as we move through different phases of the pandemic and economic recovery.”
Barrett’s urging comes as part of a statewide Child Care Day of Action on Aug. 27 that brought lawmakers, community stakeholders and residents together across the state.
That action also follows a letter, sent earlier in August to the governor, urging him to act. It was signed by 44 organizations and 83 state legislators, according to the press release.
According to the state Office of Children and Families, 25 percent of child care programs and 70 percent of facilities for school-aged children have closed since the COVID-19 pandemic began.