Empire Justice Center Issues Report On Child Care Disparities

January 16, 2010

Author: Susan C. Antos

Quality subsidized child care benefits both children and working parents.  The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) administers a one billion dollar block grant program, consisting primarily of federal funding, which provides financial assistance to low income families who need child care.  However, the availability of quality subsidized child care varies widely throughout the state because New York is one of a handful of states that permit local social services districts wide discretion in administering federally funded child care subsidy benefits.

The variation among districts means that both child care providers and parents receiving subsidies are subject to different rules, expectations, and costs simply because of where they live. Instead of setting forth clear and consistent program rules that apply equally to similarly situated families across the state, New York’s child care program is a patchwork of inconsistent policies that creates inequities solely based on where families reside.

In November of 2002, Empire Justice Center, then known as Greater Upstate Law Project, released “Child Care in New York State: A Patchwork of Policies,” the first in a series of reports outlining the many ways in which New York’s county administered child care system creates inconsistencies and inequities for parents and child care providers across the state.  On January 13, 2009, the Empire Justice Center will release its latest report - Mending the Patchwork, which documents ongoing, persistent geographic disparities in the way families with the same life circumstances - the same income, the same number of children – are treated.

The report explores the variations among districts and illustrates the disparities that local control creates for both parents and providers.  The disparities are discussed in narrative form and in detailed charts that provide a statewide overview. The report concludes with recommendations for change that will result in more equitable treatment of families that receive subsidized child care benefits.