Page 20 - 2023 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
Cultivating and Advancing Talent The Child Care Council of Westchester Empowering Workforce Parents
e Child Care Council of Westchester helps ease the stress of working parents, while supporting workforce diversity in Westchester.
Based in Scarsdale, e Child Care Council of Westchester is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit that champions the healthy development of children, families and the Westchester community by promoting quality early care and education. Here, the Council’s Executive Director Kathy Halas elaborates on:
CCCW’s vision.
Our vision for Westchester is universal access to quality child care and a er school programming, which will ensure that children are safe, and in settings that promote learning, brain growth, and positive physical, social and emotional development. We also want parents to work and further their education. Finally, we want Westchester’s employers to have access to a diverse workforce.
The benefits of doing business in Westchester.
Business owners and professionals throughout Westchester are incredibly community-minded, talented and generous; they donate, volunteer, serve on boards, and so much more. And there is a wonderful spirit of cooperation and collaboration among nonprofit organizations. We all want our neighbors to feel safe and secure, be treated fairly, have opportunities to succeed, and we work together to make it happen. We are very grateful
to the Business Council of Westchester for bringing us all together.
A historic advocacy victory.
Last year, Westchester County made a $10+ million child care investment in its 2022 budget to expand Title
XX child care subsidies, launch the “Westchester Works” Child Care Scholarship Program, and raise the subsidy reimbursement rates for child care providers up to New York State market rates.
The Westchester Works Scholarship.
In 2022, 469 families were awarded a Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship, which we are proud to administer in partnership with the Westchester County Department of Social Services. On average, it covers 60% of a family’s child care bill - about $700 per month.
Westchester Works was refunded
in 2023, thanks to Westchester County Executive George Latimer and his team, and the Westchester County Board of Legislators. ey are also reducing the parent share for child care assistance from 10% to 5% of income over the federal poverty level, which is a big relief for families.
As one recipient put it, “is scholarship has been life-changing for me. Daycare costs account for 30% of my take home income. Without this, I would not be able to afford child care, rent, food, plus all other necessities for my child.”
CCCW’s relationship with the Business Council of Westchester.
Beyond providing incredible opportunities to connect with the business community, the Business Council of Westchester has been a
consistent and vocal supporter for child care for a long time, including the issue in their annual legislative agenda, hosting events to highlight child care issues in the workforce, and inviting us to speak at Board meetings. e BCW and the Office of Economic Development have repeatedly helped us to promote our free child care referral services, including help in paying high child care bills, and both promoted the new Westchester Works Child Care Scholarship Program extensively this year, helping to bring meaningful financial relief to many Westchester parents for the very first time. is also helped mothers – many of whom were pushed out of the workforce during the pandemic – get back to work.
“The Business Council
of Westchester has been
a consistent and vocal
supporter for child care
for a long time.”
Le: Child Care Council Executive Director Kathy Halas, Child Care Council Board Member Craig Ruoff, and BCW President/ CEO Dr. Marsha Gordon at the Council’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Above: Child Care Council staff gather to share an advocacy message with elected leaders.
— Kathy Halas
© Courtesy of e Child Care Council of Westchester