County Executive Announces Steep Day Care Cuts for Low-Income Families by Kashika Sahay
Thu, Aug 7, 2008 Due to budget cuts in State funding, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced on Friday that the income threshold for day care subsidies is going to be lowered from 165% to 125% of the federal poverty levels. In real numbers, this means that a single mother must earn less than $17,5000 annually, down from $23,100.
The decision comes after several months of lobbying and negotiations in Albany to increase Monroe County Funding. The state government announced in early June that it was cutting Monroe County’s Child care Block Grant (CCBG) allocation by 1.8 million dollars, which will create a 12 million dollar shortfall by September of 2009.
In a press release dated June 12, 2008, the Executive office implored the state to restore funding. “The Governor’s cuts to child care will be a devastating blow to low income families, making it much more difficult for them to transition from welfare to work,” said Brooks. “It is unacceptable for the State to deny affordable child care to families fighting to gain financial independence. I urge our community to join me in taking a stand against this shortsighted action.”
However, the State has remained unsympathetic towards the County’s cause. In June, the Democrat and Chronicle reported from the governor’s office, "If the county had been managing its money responsibly over the last four or five years, they wouldn't have this shortfall," said Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook. "Monroe County has been rolling over child care funding from the state and federal governments for several years."
As a result, it seems that approximately 1300 children in the Monroe County area will be affected by this cut in funding. Even families that are still eligible for funding will have to pay more for day care services. The changes will go into effect as early as September 1st, leaving families less than a month to make alternative arrangements.
The June press release from the Monroe County Executive office reports that currently, “Monroe County is the leading provider of day care for low income working families, outside of New York City. Over 8,500 children and thousands of families benefit from the County’s day care program.” Even after the cuts are made, Monroe County will still receive the largest allocation of funds for day-care subsidies outside of New York City.
Although Brooks lobbied in Albany against the funding cuts in late June, she announced her intent to go through with the cuts on Friday, August 1st. The same day, Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature expressed shock and disappointment at the announcement in a press release.
“The change will have the effect of pushing many Monroe County families further into poverty by eliminating their ability to provide safe, quality child care so they can earn a living wage and raise their family,” the release stated.
Legislator Carrie Andrews (D-Rochester) said, “Today’s announcement is a slap in the face to the hard working families in our county that struggle to put food on the table while keeping their children safe. I strongly implore the Executive to reconsider this decision due to the long-term social and fiscal consequences it will reap to taxpayers. Numerous studies have proven the long-term cost reductions to criminal justice, education and health care expenditures when parents have access to safe, affordable child care. Simply put, this is the wrong direction for our county.”
As of the time this article went to press, no comment had been received from the Republicans or the County Executive’s office.
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