CSEA seeks help for working families As more New Yorkers struggle with low wages and growing income inequality, CSEA and others are focused on improving proven child care assistance as an investment in families and the economy. Many families at or near poverty wages are eligible for help but cannot receive it because child care programs are grossly underfunded. Twelve years ago, the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a statewide non-profit supported by unions, launched a pilot program to aid struggling parents in paying for child care outside of traditional subsidy programs. The program, called Facilitated Enrollment was originally launched in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties to bridge the gap for families who are just above the county-set eligibility level, disqualified from receiving assistance, but who are still struggling. For low-income parents and many single parents, child care can be a significant barrier to employment. Facilitated Enrollment promotes access to affordable child care for low-income wage earners. It has enrolled 2,630 families and assisted 4,000 children in attending daycare, after-school and summer camp programs including CSEA members. The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Program recently expanded to Oneida, Monroe and Onondaga counties following effective lobbying by WDI, VOICE/ CSEA and other labor and child “Affordable, quality childcare improves outcomes for at-risk families by allowing more parents to make the transition from welfare to work, simultaneously protecting taxpayers and growing our economy.” care advocacy groups. Through the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Program, help is now headed to Monroe County to repair the damage caused by a recent $600,000 cut in other child care programs by county Executive Maggie Brooks. Creating positive transitions “Affordable, quality childcare improves outcomes for at-risk families by allowing more parents to make the transition from welfare to work, simultaneously protecting taxpayers and growing our economy,” said state Sen. Rich Funke. “I was proud to help lead the charge for more affordable childcare funding in the 2015-16 State Budget and, as a result, Kim Bannister, Erie County VOICE/CSEA member, at her group family daycare recently. Many working families in the Western Region will benefit from increased funding for family daycare programs, thanks to the efforts of CSEA, child care providers, key legislators and public officials. Monroe County alone will benefit from $2.3 million to support its childcare programming in the coming year,” Funke said. Despite proof that child care subsidies provide a path to steady employment and self-sufficiency, significant federal support has been steadily eroding since 2002. States and communities have been forced to make up the difference, and the current situation is about to get worse. New federal guidelines will burden states with added costs and there is no new federal or state funding set aside to pay for these changes. New York could see dramatic cuts with fewer families receiving subsidies and having a tougher time just going to work. The new federal guidelines couldn’t come at a worse time. Income inequality is at an all-time high. Low-wage earning families with children under age 5 spend more than half of their monthly income on child care expenses — 52.7 percent. That doesn’t leave much for rent, food or much else when monthly income is only $1,500 a month. Studies have shown that improved access to safe, quality child care results not only in parents obtaining and maintaining employment, but wage increases, health insurance and career advancement and self-sufficiency. This pathway has been found critical in boosting local economies and turning things around for low-wage working families and communities and child care subsidies vital to that success. — Jill Asencio Did you know? Child care subsidies are proven as a path to steady employment and self-sufficiency. Despite the evidence it works, federal child care assistance has steadily eroded over the past 15 years. States and local governments must make up the deficiency, if they choose. 12 The Work Force May 2015
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