Funding is available to assist more than 400 Westchester families meet their daycare expenses
The Child Care Council of Westchester wants Westchester families to know that daycare scholarships are available right now for families who live in Westchester, and income levels to qualify are higher than ever before.
We spoke with Kathy Halas, the executive director of the Child Care Council of Westchester, to learn more about this surprising program, who qualifies for it, how to apply — as well as the greater mission of the Council and the services it offers to Westchester families.
Examiner +: Can you please explain the origin and background of the scholarships — how they are funded, by whom, and the reason behind them?
Kathy Halas: Years ago, Westchester County funded the Child Care Council for a scholarship program for working parents who were over-income for the childcare subsidy program administered by the County’s Department of Social Services.
E+: How long do the scholarships run (in other words, if you are approved, how long do you have to use/spend the money)?
Halas: At this point, the scholarships end on December 31, 2022; our contract with the Department of Social Services is for 2022 only. However, we will shortly begin our advocacy to have the program in the 2023 budget, and I’m fairly confident that will happen.
E:+ Can the scholarship money be used to pay any local daycare/childcare provider? Or, if not, how do you know who an eligible provider is?
Halas: For the most part, they have been used for NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulated childcare programs, but in addition, parents could also use them for summer camp and for what’s called “informal care” or family/friend/friend/neighbor care.
Families may be eligible for a scholarship if they are working and earn up to $111,000 for a family of four, $92,120 for a family of three, or $73,240 for a family of two. All parents in the household must live in Westchester County, be employed at least 10 hours per week, and earn at least minimum wage. Those who fall below the scholarship threshold will be screened for the subsidy [instead], and families will be guided [by us] through either application process step-by-step.
We are also happy to send employers, organizations, municipalities, etc., flyers and/or a [digital] blurb with a link to our website so that they can get the word out. We have also done virtual and in-person meetings with groups to promote [the program].
E+: Can you touch more broadly on The Child Care Council of Westchester? For the uninitiated, can you explain its mission and what it does — and how, when, and why it was founded?
Halas: The Council has been the “go-to” spot for early childcare and education since 1968. We are a private, not-for-profit childcare resource and referral agency, part of a statewide and national network created primarily to help parents access childcare solutions for their families. We do more than that, however, including helping new childcare businesses get started and helping new and existing childcare businesses operate in compliance with regulations and reach higher levels of quality.
We also help programs meet the special health care needs of children in their care and assist home-based providers in serving nutritious snacks and meals. We coordinate an initiative for the Hudson Valley region to increase the supply of quality infant and toddler slots. Recently we have done more in the area of infant and toddler mental health, bringing social workers into programs to help the staff support our youngest children and their families. Of course, we also advocate for the policies and level of investment needed to build a childcare system that is truly affordable and of high quality.
E+: Are there any other services/resources that the Child Care Council currently provides that working families should know about?
Halas: If a family is looking for care or is not entirely satisfied with the childcare that they have, we can help. If a family is wondering how they’re going to pay for care, which is very expensive, we screen them for eligibility for the childcare subsidy and the Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship. We can also help them apply.
For more information or to contact the Council, call them at 914.761.3456 x140, or visit www.childcarewestchester.org.
Robert Schork is Examiner Media’s Digital Editorial Director. Previously, he was the Editorial Director for Westchester Magazine and Hudson Valley Magazine and their group of ancillary publications.
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