Res. No. 1542

Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A.3477, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, which would expand eligibility for child care assistance by increasing the income eligibility minimum from two hundred percent of the state income standard to three hundred percent of the state income standard.

By Council Members James, Reyna, Brewer, Dickens, Eugene, Felder, Foster, Liu, Mark-Viverito, White, Jr. and Vann

Whereas, Families that have previously been on public assistance are earning more income and becoming self sufficient; and

Whereas, Increases in income often result in families losing their eligibility for subsidized child care; and

Whereas, The lack of affordable child care services for parents with young children is a barrier to continued employment for parents; and

Whereas, Recent research demonstrates that full-time child care is necessary for many working parents of young children, and that high-quality care can decrease stress, improve productivity, and encourage greater labor force participation of parents; and

Whereas, The Administration for Children Services (ACS) is charged with determining eligibility for and providing subsidized child care services to qualified families in New York City; and

Whereas, New York State law allows child care services to be provided to families who are at or below 200% of the state income standard (SIS); and

Whereas, The SIS is the same as the poverty guidelines, also referred to as the federal poverty level,  issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and

Whereas, Funds received from the federal government under the Child Care Block Grant, which is the main financial resource for child care centers available to states, are therefore also only available to families who are at or below 200% of the SIS; and

Whereas, Despite these restrictions, ACS begins to qualify families who are at or below 275% of the federal poverty guideline for a family of two, 255% of the federal poverty guideline for a family of three, and 225% of the federal poverty guideline for families of four or more family members; and

Whereas, Under state law, localities such as New York City may use federal funds under Title XX of the Social Security Act to provide child care services to families who are above 200% of the poverty guidelines for certain populations as long as those families stay within the income thresholds listed above; and

Whereas, While ACS’s eligibility guidelines allow for families of certain sizes to be eligible for childcare even if they are above 200% of the SIS, A. 3477 would increase the minimum to 300% of the SIS, thus allowing more working New Yorkers to have access to affordable child care services through the Child Care Block Grant; and

Whereas, A. 3477 recognizes that working families who increase their income may become ineligible for child care services before they can afford to pay for private child care services; and

Whereas, Raising the income guidelines will allow more working families to receive critical child care services, thus allowing parents to remain in the work force and continue on the path to self-sufficiency; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign A. 3477, currently pending in the New York State Assembly, which would expand eligibility for child care assistance by increasing the income eligibility minimum from two hundred percent to three hundred percent of the state income standard.

MBT

LS 5452

7/17/08

11:27 AM

2 pages