Res 0069-2022

Whereas, The early years in a child's life are critical for healthy brain development and lay the groundwork for future educational achievement, economic productivity, and lifelong health; and Whereas, A study conducted by The Heckman Equation found that high-quality child care and early learning programs benefit both children and parents, by permitting parents to grow their income while children gain foundational skills to succeed in school and life; and Whereas, Enrollment in child care programs in New York State can cost more than $2,600 per month or $21,000 per year, which is too high for most low-income and middle-income families, according to a report prepared by the Office of Senator Jabari Brisport and the Alliance for Quality Education; and Whereas, The lack of government spending on child care in New York has meant that many parents are unable to meet eligibility requirements for needed child care subsidies and early childhood education is one of the lowest paid professions; and Whereas, According to the report prepared by Senator Brisport's office and the Alliance for Quality Education, child care providers are not able to pay sufficient wages to child care workers, which can result in child care facilities operating at less than full capacity; and Whereas, The New York City Comptroller reported that child care centers and family day care providers in New York City only have capacity for 22% of children under the age of two, and nearly half of all community districts are considered an infant care desert, where the ratio of child care capacity to children is less than 20%; and Whereas, According to a survey conducted by the NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute and the Bank Street College of Education's Straus Center for Young Children and Families, approximately 32% of early childhood educators and providers in New York report that they have reduced staff hours, furloughed, or laid off staff as a result of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and nearly one in four of the respondents stated they were uncertain if their program would reopen once such restrictions would be lifted; and Whereas, The Universal Child Care Act, S. 7595, introduced by Senator Brisport and pending in the New York State Senate, and companion bill A. 8623, introduced by Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi and pending in the New York State Assembly, would provide for the establishment and funding of universal child care in the state of New York; and Whereas, S. 6706B, introduced by Senator Brisport and pending in the New York State Senate, and companion bill A. 7582A, introduced by Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi and pending in the New York State Assembly, would expand existing child care assistance eligibility to families that make up to 85% of the state median income; and Whereas, The Early Learning Child Care Act, S. 7615, introduced by Senator Jessica Ramos and pending in the New York State Senate, and companion bill A. 8625, introduced by Assembly Member Sarah Clark and pending in the New York State Assembly, would establish the Early Learning Child Care Program to provide subsidies to covered children to attend early learning child care programs, establish the New York State Child Care Board, and impose a payroll tax on certain employers for the purposes of addressing child care affordability, accessibility, and quality for families with children under five years of age; and Whereas, Each of these bills would work to expand and fortify New York's child care infrastructure, including by ensuring child care is affordable for parents and that child care workers are paid just wages; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the city of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S. 7595/ A. 8623, S. 6706B/ A. 7582A, and S. 7615/ A. 8625, legislation supporting the provision of financial assistance to families and child care providers in order to make child care more accessible and affordable. Session 12 JEF LS #6698, 7104, 7105, 7291, 7984 3/7/2022