Senators Jacobs and Gallivan Save Funding for Critical Child Care Program

Albany, NY – New York State Senators Chris Jacobs and Patrick Gallivan succeeded in a last minute effort this evening to reinstate $500,000 in funding for the Facilitated Enrollment Child Care Program in Erie County. The program helps low and moderate income parents that are working attain affordable child care.

As budget negotiations neared the April 1^st deadline last week, it was clear that the $500,000 allocated in last year’s budget was not included in the spending plan that was eventually passed this evening. 

“Child care often is a huge impediment to people seeking or trying to keep full-time employment,” said Senator Jacobs.  “This program provides much needed assistance as they transition to becoming more economically independent,” said Jacobs.

“This program is a worthy public investment to assure these parents succeed in their efforts to achieve employment success,” said Senator Gallivan.

The Facilitated Enrollment Child Care Subsidy program is operated out of the Workforce Development Institute. The program offers subsidies to parents earning less than 275% of the federal poverty level.  It is designed to support parents who earn too much to qualify for the Erie County Child Care Subsidy but cannot afford quality childcare on their own.