Hundreds of parents, child care providers, and advocates gathered in Albany on March 15, 2024, to demand the implementation of universal child care in New York State. This rally aimed to urge the state legislature to pass legislation that would establish universal child care within the year. Attendees expressed that Governor Kathy Hochul‘s budget proposal represents a significant step forward in a long-fought battle for accessible child care.
Cheryl Wearen, a representative of the Children’s Agenda based in Rochester, commented on the potential impact of universal child care, stating, “Now we’ll have the ability to have our children go out and get what they need, parents can go work hours if needed, and the support is unanimous with everything we’ve been doing for all these years.”
During the rally, Governor Hochul indicated the importance of evaluating current pilot programs before solidifying a timeline for statewide implementation. The state will monitor three programs located in Monroe, Broome, and Duchess counties, which collectively received $20 million from the state budget. These pilot programs are intended to identify effective solutions that could eventually facilitate the broader rollout of universal child care across New York.
The total projected cost for universal child care in New York stands at approximately $4.5 billion, with over a quarter of this amount allocated to expanding child care subsidies. Advocates argue that this financial commitment is essential to support working families and ensure that children have access to the care and developmental resources they need.
As the rally concluded, participants emphasized their unified message to lawmakers: the time for universal child care is now. They highlighted the pressing need for policies that support families in balancing work and child-rearing responsibilities. The outcome of this advocacy could shape the future of child care in New York and set a precedent for other states considering similar initiatives.
The discussion surrounding universal child care continues as the state evaluates its pilot programs, with many hopeful that the momentum generated by the rally will influence legislative action in the coming months.
