What's Happening?
Citizen Action of New York (CANY), along with parents, child care providers, and community leaders, gathered in Utica to urge state lawmakers to invest in the child care workforce. The rally, held outside Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon's office, emphasized
the need for a permanent workforce compensation fund. While New York Governor Kathy Hochul's budget includes significant investments in child care assistance and Pre-K expansion, it lacks dedicated funding for increasing wages for child care workers. Advocates argue that without fair compensation, the goal of universal child care cannot be achieved. Key legislative priorities include creating a compensation fund to provide an additional $12,000 annually per workforce member, adopting the Governor's proposed $1.2 billion investment in child care assistance, and investing $60 million in community care models.
Why It's Important?
The push for increased investment in the child care workforce is crucial as it addresses the economic infrastructure of child care, which is vital for working families. Child care providers enable parents to participate fully in the workforce, yet they are often underpaid. The current workforce shortages have led to reduced capacity, leaving families on waitlists and employers struggling to retain workers. By stabilizing and funding the workforce, the state can ensure that no eligible families are turned away from assistance, thereby supporting economic growth and stability. The initiative also highlights the broader issue of wage disparities in essential sectors.
