SHARE

Letter: Quality A Priority, Says Child Care Council Of Westchester Director

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Daily Voice accepts signed and original letters to the editor. 

Child Care Council of Westchester’s Executive Director Kathy Halas

Child Care Council of Westchester’s Executive Director Kathy Halas

Photo Credit: Linkedin

Child Care Council of Westchester’s Executive Director Kathy Halas made the following statement following the Board of Legislators passage of the 2016 Westchester County Budget, which County Executive Rob Astorino is expected to sign: 

To the Editor:

The Child Care Council of Westchester is gratified that the Board of Legislators and County Executive Rob Astorino listened to the voices of the community in regard to child care and early education, and will keep the parent share at 27%, maintain Title XX funding at $1.4 million, and restore funding for the Child Care Subsidy Specialist position at the Council, which was not part of the initial budget proposal this year. 

To date in 2015, the Specialist has helped nearly 800 Westchester families with the child care subsidy, including help in completing applications for the program. 

The extended Council community – Board members, staff, volunteers, child care providers, parents, nonprofit colleagues, donors -- played an active role in this year’s advocacy efforts by participating in our parent child care survey, attending our Child Care Report Card event, speaking at hearings and writing letters to elected officials. 

Together, we made it clear that quality early care and education is a priority not only for families who want their children to reach their full potential, but for the business community who will count on today’s children to be tomorrow’s workforce. 

While the steps taken today are important, there’s more work to be done. We hope to continue the work of the Child Care Study Group in 2016 to maximize the contributions a stronger early care and education sector can make to Westchester’s workforce and economy.

Child Care Council of Westchester’s Executive Director Kathy Halas 

The Child Care Council of Westchester is a private, nonprofit resource organization that champions the healthy development of children, families and communities by promoting quality early care and education.

to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE