Governor Hochul Launches New Online Tool to Help New Yorkers Access Child Care Services

Governor Kathy Hochul announced efforts to help working families access childcare services across New York State, including launching a new online eligibility tool and re-creating the state’s task force to develop implementation plan for universal child care. These efforts are part of the Governor’s sweeping plan to make childcare in New York State more equitable, accessible, and affordable, announced as part of her 2023 State of the Union address.

“As a mother who put her career on hold due to a lack of affordable childcare, I understand firsthand how important this lifeline is for families.” Governor Hochul said. “In addition to the massive investments we’ve made in child care funding, we’re taking significant steps to improve the process of finding care, expanding program eligibility, and supporting our employees to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to these critical resources.”

A new online screening tool will help parents determine if they qualify for financial support from the state Child Care Assistance Program for low-cost or free child care. This tool, developed by the State Department of Children and Families, aims to speed up and streamline the application process for families so they can quickly determine the services they may be eligible for.

Families can complete a non-binding online questionnaire that will immediately let them know if they meet basic eligibility criteria and then direct them to their local department of social services to apply for funding. The new online tool is available to the public in 12 languages ​​on the New York State Department of Children and Family Services website and can be accessed anywhere, anytime using a computer or mobile device.

Governor Hochul announced the Statewide Electronic Pre-screening Tool as part of her State of the Union Address in January, when she called for streamlining and centralizing the child care application process. The Governor has also committed to expedite the application process for families as part of her ongoing efforts to expand access to high-quality child care, including an unprecedented investment of $7.6 billion over four years.

In addition, Governor Hochul announced the re-establishment of the New York State Child Care Accessibility Task Force to help develop a framework for how the state can implement universal child care. Co-chaired by Acting OCFS Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave and Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon, the task force met earlier this week for the first time since the release of its final report in May 2021.

The reinstated Child Care Accessibility Task Force will advise the state on the development of a phased implementation of universal child care and is tasked with publishing its new report by the end of the year. In addition to developing this plan, the task force will also assess the state’s child care needs, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child care delivery, recommend ways to address the child care workforce crisis, and assess policy implementation. supported by federally funded pandemic-related programs.

The task force includes representatives from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Council for Children and Families, the Department of Taxation and Finance, the Regional Economic Development Board, the State University of New York, the City University of New York, the State Department of Education. The working group also includes child care providers and labor unions, advocacy groups and stakeholders, the business community, and local departments of social services.

Governor Hochul co-chaired the task force when it was originally convened in December 2018 and developed a comprehensive plan to make quality child care affordable to all New Yorkers. The New York State Social Services Act has been amended to reconvene the task force and re-order, in addition to reviewing progress on the recommendations made in the 2021 report.

New York State Office of Children and Families Acting Commissioner and Task Force Co-Chair Suzanne Miles Gustave said: “We know that less than 10 percent of eligible children actually receive child care assistance. OCFS is proud to manage Governor Hole’s historic investment to support families paying for child care and to strengthen service providers themselves to expand the state’s existing programs and create new ones. With her vision as our guide, I’m delighted to be co-chairing this task force as we explore paths to universal child care and make New York City a model of affordable, affordable, and equitable options.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon “By announcing this task force, Governor Hochul continues to show unparalleled leadership and determination in addressing the ongoing childcare challenges facing working families in our state. She knows firsthand that this is not only a women’s problem. This is a parenting issue. This is the employer’s problem. This is a social problem, and its solution is vital for the further recovery of our economy. I am proud to be the co-chair of the working group and look forward to working with other members to find and implement solutions.”