Griffo: State should release childcare funding immediately

State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-I-C-Rome, today urged the immediate release of important federal funding that would support childcare services in New York.

In April, New York received approximately $162 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. These funds were allocated for childcare programs and providers, as well as $10 million from the CARES Child Care Scholarship program that helps essential workers pay for childcare services.

While a large portion of the funding has helped to provide personal protective equipment and cleaning equipment to childcare facilities, about $70 million has reportedly not been spent. Many childcare providers in the state have expressed serious concerns about what will happen if the state continues to withhold the funding.

“This is not New York State funding. It was provided by the federal government to help childcare providers and parents during the coronavirus pandemic,” Sen. Griffo said. “There is no reason that the state should be withholding these funds, especially since the state has already passed along funding from the CARES Act. Parents and caregivers, many of whom are essential workers, rely on childcare providers and programs so that they can continue to support their families. We must ensure that childcare providers have the resources that they need to continue to serve our communities and provide the critical service that they do every day.”

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