Assemblymember Aron Wieder announced today, while visiting Kids in Action Child Care Center in Chestnut Ridge, that Rockland County has secured a substantial increase in childcare voucher funding.
The allocation will rise from $11,127,092 this year to $18,699,362 for the upcoming fiscal year — a $7.57 million boost that represents an approximate 68% increase.
“Today I have a great announcement for Rockland County,” Wieder said at the childcare center. “Yesterday I met with Commissioner Harris Madden of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to discuss the urgent need for greater childcare voucher support in Rockland. They listened, and today we learned that the county’s allocation will rise from $11 million to $18 million — an increase of more than 60%.”
Wieder emphasized the real-world benefits for local families. “This is great news for parents heading to work who need a safe, quality place to bring their children,” he said. “They’ll now have more opportunities to enroll their kids in centers like this one right here at Kids in Action Child Care Center.”
The increased funding is expected to ease the financial burden on working families, reduce waitlists, and expand access to quality childcare across Rockland County’s many childcare providers.
Wieder thanked Governor Kathy Hochul for prioritizing childcare resources, Commissioner Harris Madden, and Assemblyman Havasi, chairman of the Assembly Children and Families Committee. He also recognized the strong advocacy efforts of local leaders, including Rabbi Horowitz of Community Outreach, Rabbi Duschinski, and Rabbi Rottenberg, who lobbied tirelessly in Albany.
“Today is a great day for Rockland County,” Wieder concluded. “I want to thank all the advocates and childcare centers involved. Because of these efforts, tomorrow will be a much better day for families across our community.”
The expanded funding is expected to provide significant relief to hundreds of Rockland families struggling with the high cost of childcare.
Who’s paying for it? Oh right taxpayers.