New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner John A. Johnson today announced grants totaling over $365,000 have been awarded to 29 child care providers across the state to help them make health and safety improvements.
"Governor George E. Pataki continues to make child care a top priority in New York State, giving peace of mind to working parents and providing nurturing, quality and safe child care environments for our children," Commissioner Johnson said. "The Governor's leadership has provided record amounts for child care funding and legislative changes to promote quality child care, truly making a difference in New Yorkers' lives."
The grants are administered by OCFS and will help to improve health and safety for children in child care across New York State.
Since 1995, Governor Pataki has increased funding for child care by a record $650 million, from $279 million in state fiscal year 1995-96 to $929 million in the 2004-05 Executive Budget. This funding has helped support growth in the number of child care subsidies from 72,000 to approximately 186,900.
Including this latest round of grants, over $5.8 million has been awarded this year to child care providers across the state to help provide safe, quality child care that New York's working families rely on.
Governor Pataki's Quality Child Care and Protection Act significantly improved the quality and safety of child care by requiring criminal background checks and training requirements for all child care providers. The act also increased oversight of child care centers and strengthened enforcement actions against providers who fail to comply with health and safety regulations.
For more information on how to find child care in New York State, visit the OCFS website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us.
The following grants were awarded:
| Albany Region | |
|---|---|
| Delaware County | |
| Delaware Opportunities | $9,008 |
| Franklin County | |
| Giggles and Wiggles Daycare Center | $14,096 |
| Schenectady County | |
| Whispering Pines Preschool | $13,000 |
| Buffalo Region | |
| Cattaraugus County | |
| Early Bird Childcare Centers | $14,992 |
| Erie County | |
| Center Road Day Care Center | $12,943 |
| St. John's United Church of Christ | $15,000 |
| Edukids | $14,895 |
| Kiddie Corner Child Care Center | $14,907 |
| Olean Child Day Care Center | $14,999 |
| Long Island Region | Nassau County |
| TTOB | $15,000 |
| Suffolk County | |
| Robert L. Perry Jr. Development Corp. | $12,135 |
| BZ Kids | $13,781 |
| New York City | |
| New York | |
| Northside Center for Child Development | $11,500 |
| Rochester Region | |
| Monroe County | |
| Generations Child Care | $12,500 |
| Seasons Child Care | $15,000 |
| Generations Child Care | $6,800 |
| Ontario County | |
| Coordinated Child Development Program | $1,055 |
| Steuben County | |
| Catholic Charities of the Dioceses of Rochester | $7,760 | Yates County |
| Rainbow Junction | $14,550 |
| Syracuse Region | |
| Broome County | |
| Day Nursery Association Infant and Toddler | $9,200 |
| Day Nursery Association | $11,000 |
| Cayuga County | |
| Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency | $15,000 |
| Oneida County | |
| Oneida Healthcare Systems | $12,800 |
| Onondaga County | |
| Shining Stars Day Care Center | $15,000 |
| Tompkins County | |
| Ithaca Community Childcare Center | $14,483 |
| Yonkers Region | |
| Dutchess County | |
| Wee Learn (Tutor Time Childcare) | $15,000 |
| Putnam County | |
| Panthony Corporation (Noah's Ark School) | $9,525 |
| Rockland County | |
| Playgarten | $14,270 |
| Westchester County | |
| Alcott School | $14,990 |
| Total | $365,189 |
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