Gov. Kathy Hochul announces investment to expand child care options across state

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday has announced an investment to fund and expand options for child care in New York state.

The underutilized federal funds amount to $500 million.

A grant aimed at workforce retention will provide support for 150,000 child care workers. This support will include bonus payments, recruitment of new staff, and other related expenses.

Furthermore, the budget allocates funds for a pilot program focused on employer-sponsored child care. The state will assist participating employers, and the employees will share the cost of child care. This program will be implemented in three parts of the state initially, and there will also be a business navigator to help people locate available child care facilities.

Hochul stated that the application process for child care centers to apply for the workforce retention grant will open in July.