New York has launched an initiative to expand and create child-care centers for students and faculty across State University of New York campuses, particularly in areas where child-care deserts exist.
The initiative includes the distribution of $4.5 million in federal and state funding to support current centers, a program to train child-care professionals, and the development of a long-term plan to eliminate child-care deserts across the SUNY system. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget includes $10.8 million to support the creation of additional child-care centers on SUNY campuses.
Campuses across Central New York that received a portion of this funding include Binghamton University, SUNY Broome, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Oneonta, Onondaga Community College, SUNY Oswego, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and Upstate Medical University.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, SUNY served 1,200 student parents with more than 4,000 child-care spots across 46 SUNY campuses. Those centers also serve faculty, staff, and state employees as well as the neighboring community. SUNY needs 18 more centers to fully cover all 64 campuses across the state.
Of the nearly $4.5 million in funding allocated, $3.9 million in federal grants was distributed for all SUNY child-care centers as part of the Child Care Stabilization Funds by the Office of Children and Family Services. These funds, part of the America Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, help with operational costs such as personnel and training, as well as support the mental-health needs of employees and their children.
A total of $500,000 was distributed to 16 campuses as part of SUNY’s Early Childhood Worker paid-internship program, and 139 paid interns earning their degree in early childhood studies will be hired to work an average of 20 hours a week.
Eleven campuses shared $80,000 to achieve or maintain accreditation from nationally recognized quality organizations by replacing worn classroom equipment, supplying class materials, ensuring ADA access, and paying for consulting and accreditation fees.