Rockland Child Care Community Releases Letter Thanking Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblyman Aron Wieder, and State Senate Candidate Joe Rand for Historic Funding Increase

The Rockland County child care community has released a public letter expressing heartfelt appreciation to Governor Kathy Hochul, Assemblymember Aron Wieder, and Democratic candidate for New York’s 38th State Senate District, Joe Rand, following the announcement of a historic increase in child care funding for Rockland County.

The letter comes after New York State approved $18.7 million in Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding for Rockland County for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, representing a nearly 70 percent increase over the county’s previous allocation. Community leaders described the funding boost as a major milestone that will benefit thousands of working families and strengthen child care providers throughout the county.

In the letter, the community thanks Governor Hochul for recognizing Rockland County’s growing needs and responding with a substantial investment. It also acknowledges Assemblymember Aron Wieder and Joe Rand for their advocacy on behalf of local families, praising their efforts in bringing attention to the county’s longstanding child care funding disparities and helping secure a more equitable allocation.

The letter further recognizes the many askanim, child care providers, educators, and community advocates who worked tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the process, noting that their dedication helped ensure Rockland County families received the support they deserve.

The funding increase follows months of advocacy by local leaders and community organizations who argued that Rockland County’s previous funding levels failed to reflect its rapidly growing population and increasing demand for affordable child care. The new allocation is expected to significantly expand access to child care assistance for eligible families across the county.