Oneida Times

Assemblyman Brian Miller (R, C-New Hartford) and his Minority colleagues in the Assembly have put forth a comprehensive child care enhancement plan aimed at improving child care access and affordability in New York state. The plan includes various measures to reduce child poverty rates and enhance the quality of care provided.

The proposed legislation seeks to increase tax incentives for both child care providers and families by expanding tax credits and creating new funding streams for child care facilities. Additionally, the plan aims to expand early childhood education programs, introduce flexible child care options, and address affordability concerns by examining regional cost factors and state barriers impacting child care availability.

One of the key aspects of the Assembly Minority plan is to increase state reimbursements for Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) programs, streamline the hiring process for qualified UPK teachers, and ensure consistency in regulations between school districts and child care agencies. The proposal also emphasizes collaborative efforts between school districts and child care agencies to enhance UPK program quality and accessibility.

Moreover, the plan advocates for innovative child care models, such as providing care during nights and weekends, and implementing a regional cost factor for child care subsidies to address varying cost of living expenses across the state. These initiatives are designed to enhance early childhood education opportunities and make child care more accessible and affordable for families in New York state.

Assemblyman Miller highlighted the importance of the child care plan, stating, “This child care plan is important for tackling child poverty, improving access to early childhood education and making child care more affordable and accessible for families across New York state. We must do more for our children’s care to ensure their success in the future.”

The Assembly Minority's efforts reflect a commitment to addressing child care challenges and creating a more robust and accessible child care system statewide.