POLICY and ADVOCACY ALERT

RFP to be Released with less funding – Make your calls now! Keep them going!

Over the last few years Child Care Resource & Referral agencies have incurred many of the additional costs associated with pursuing and maintaining the Quality Assurance validation, staff development, marketing, websites, as well as, QUALITYstarsNY readiness work. During this same time service costs went up and funding from the State of New York to complete this work and serve the state’s children, families and communities remained flat.  And though they may have struggled, CCR&Rs always continued to strive for excellence. The first two CCR&Rs to become Nationally Quality Assured in the country were from New York State!

Now, based on a decision made behind closed doors, funding is being cut by 5% statewide, with some areas experiencing larger reductions.

CCR&Rs, their partners, parents and providers must question this decision and remind all elected officials and policymakers that:

• Child Care is an Economic Development tool
• CCR&Rs are the Agencies that Connect Families to Child Care
• CCR&Rs are the agencies that connect communities to Quality Early Learning
• Services may be lost or left to local government to help families is state funding is not restored

Now is NOT the time to cut services to young children and families!

CCR&Rs, Providers, Parents and Community Members Need To Contact their Elected Officials to remind them of the valuable services we provide:

Contact the Division of Budget-

Director: (518) 474-2300    Budget Services:   (518) 473-0580    

Human Services Unit Head: (518) 474-6314  

 http://www.budget.ny.gov/site/pressForm.html

Contact the Governor and OCFS-

Office of the Governor:  (518) 474-8390 http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php 

Commissioner of OCFS: (518) 473-8437

Deputy Commissioner of OCFS: (518) 486-6247

http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/contact/contact.asp 

Contact Your Legislators-

Legislators: Speaker of the Assembly:  (518)455-3791  Senate Majority Leader: (518) 455-3171

http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/   or   http://www.nysenate.gov/contact_form

County Legislators: http://www.nysegov.com/map-ny.cfm

Let us know if we can help you find information on how to contact any of your local elected officials!

It is very important to rally parents and providers around this issue, since the number of voices that government officials at all levels hear will be important.  The Early Care & Learning Council will continue to keep you informed and please do not hesitate to express your questions and concerns. 

Sincerely,

Jessica

Jessica Klos Shapiro

Policy Associate

(518) 690-4217 ex. 32