The Campaign for Children and its statewide partners in the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, sent a letter from advocates, child care providers, child care resource and referral agencies, and parents on behalf of New York children and families, urging NY leaders to pass a package of legislation – this session – to set up New York child care, and New York families, to thrive. Chief among the actions needed, New York must provide local social services districts, including New York City, additional flexibility to serve more children and ensure their communities recover from the pandemic and thrive.

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic decline has laid bare the critical need to do more for our children and families. Next session may be too late for many child care providers struggling to stay afloat, and for those families trying to get back on their feet.