NYS budget concerns loom over child care funding

New York State officials are considering a plan that would provide child care support for families that earn 300% above the federal poverty rate with a subsidy rate of 80%.

However, the estimation that 15% of families that qualify would participate is considered “ludicrously low,” according to a source on Thursday afternoon.

At the same time, there are concerns over the top line proposal to fund child care in the budget.

A $3 billion price tag would be split over two years.

The broader concern is the lack of funding and low estimation of the number of people who would participate in child care programs would lead to it quickly running out of money.

That could force county governments to pick up costs or create a wait list.

A push for child care in the budget this year was brought in large part by the COVID-19 pandemic and the complications facing families during the public health crisis.

The $3 billion cost for the program was considered by many advocates to be the minimum amount needed for the program.