LEGISLATOR MYERS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY CHILD CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 28, 2006
Contact: Judy Myers, (914) 995-7948
County Legislator Judy Myers (D,I,WF- Larchmont), Chair of the Family, Health and Human Services Committee, today announced that the new Westchester County Child Care Scholarship Program, which is being administered by The Child Care Council of Westchester, was so well-received by families who fall just above the income cut-off for existing child care funding assistance, that an additional $150,000 will be added to the $250,000 already allocated for the program.
“I must commend The Child Care Council of Westchester on the incredible job they have done in such a short time frame. Fifty-five households have already received award letters which will help seventy children in Westchester County receive the child care that they need. This additional $150,000 will be awarded to an additional 25 families, covering a total of 30 more children. The Family, Health, and Human Services Committee and I are proud to be able to help make quality, licensed child care a reality for 100 more Westchester children this year -- 100 children who would not have been served without this special scholarship program."
According to the Westchester County Child Care Supply and Demand Survey from 2000, a single mother, with an infant in licensed child care, earning $7.50 an hour ($15,600 a year), would pay 67% of her income in child care costs. This would leave her with $433 a month to pay for rent, food, utilities, transportation, clothing, and any other expenses she may have.
“Families are spending up to $1,000 a month, per child, in child care costs. This program will help ease that burden each month for 80 families,” explained Legislator Myers. “We hope to be able to continue to help the families of Westchester County with their child care needs as we move forward.”
The awards will be paid directly to the regulated child care provider for each child on a monthly basis for one year beginning September 1st assuming the child remains enrolled in a regulated child care setting.
To be eligible for the scholarship, parents must reside in Westchester County, be working full-time with an income too high to receive public subsidies, and enroll their children in full-time child care at a program regulated by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
For further information about this and other child care programs please contact The Child Care Council of Westchester through their website at www.ChildCareWestchester.org or by phone (914) 761-3456.
