Oneida County Childcare Taskforce outlines recommendations to improve childcare

UTICA, N.Y. — A report by the Oneida County Childcare Taskforce made a number of recommendations to improve childcare in the county including initiatives to improve worker training and retention, expand childcare capacity, and eliminate barriers to access, according to Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.

“Oneida County is devoted to the belief that quality childcare should be accessible to all residents,” he said in a press release. “The current lack of childcare staff, certified and state-approved facilities, and awareness of existing resources are among our greatest challenges.

Picente said the county will follow through on the taskforce’s recommendations to improve conditions by working closely with public, private, and nonprofit partners.

The taskforce, which began the project in November 2022, made several recommendations to improve childcare worker employment, training, and retention outcomes including creating a child development associate educational pipeline and certificate subsidization program at Mohawk Valley Community College as well as creating an alternative workforce pipeline with targeted advertisements by the county to graduating students. The taskforce also recommended the county work with the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to develop a childcare technical program leading to certification for qualified students.

To expand childcare capacity in the county, the taskforce recommends the county work with Cornell Cooperative Extension to hire childcare community navigators to raise awareness of the Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP), opportunities to start at-home registered family daycares, and other avenues for obtaining childcare and employment in childcare. It also recommends the county provide funding to subsidize the startup costs for registered family daycares and establish an online procurement portal where startup items can be purchased directly. Finally, it recommends the county research funding opportunities such as grants that can be used to construct and expand childcare facilities.

The taskforce also made several recommendations to identify and eliminate barriers to accessing childcare including creating a childcare subsidy marketing campaign, creating a childcare management simulation event, and reviewing New York State Office of Children and Family Services to identify a list of burdensome regulations in order to develop waivers, exceptions, and reconsiderations.

Oneida County has already taken several steps to make childcare more affordable and accessible including raising income limits for families enrolled in CCAP, reducing the parent share of subsidized childcare costs, and expanding CCAP assistance to those actively searching for a job.

Picente announced the creation of the taskforce during his 2022 State of the County Address, noting the inadequate supply of childcare as a hurdle for families and employers, especially since the pandemic.

The taskforce had more than 40 members from across the public and private sector as well as school administrators, childcare providers, business owners, and elected officials.