Over $3.8 million in state funds will be distributed between 23 new child care programs opening up in Central New York’s childcare deserts. In total, the state awarded over $68 million to 344 new programs across New York.
Those awarded grants can use the money to cover start up and personnel costs, recruit, train and retain staff, and support staff in getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
The funds are part of a $100 million initiative enacted in the 2022 budget aimed at reducing the number of childcare deserts in the state.
The state defines a childcare desert as a census tract where there are three or more children younger than 5 years old for each available child care slot, or there are no available child care slots in the tract.
