Gov. Hochul Announces Funding for Day Care Facilities and Programs in “Deserts”

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $70 million in grant funding will be available to newly licensed, registered or permitted child care programs in areas of the state without sufficient child care slots, known as child care deserts.

The funds, which are part of the $100 million child care desert initiative approved in the 2021 Enacted Budget, are being made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and will be administered by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

The grants will help new child care providers in underserved areas build their program, cover start-up and personnel costs, recruit, train, and retain staff, and support staff in accessing COVID-19 vaccines. Grant applications will open in mid-April and run through May 19, 2022-with award announcements slated for June.

For the full release click here.