The Project Resilience Child Care Initiative will dramatically expand those eligible to receive subsidized child care and will allow for hundreds of families to participate in the program

$200,000 will be made available for a six week period to expand child care programs for residents in need

KINGSTON, N.Y. - Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan today announced the next phase of Project Resilience dedicated to assisting families with child care issues brought on by COVID-19. The Project Resilience Child Care Initiative will utilize $200,000 in funding to expand existing programs provided by the county as well as afford families the ability to participate in School-Age Children Programs throughout Ulster County. 

“As a parent, I fully understand the struggle that families are facing due to a lack of child care,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “Through helping to relieve the financial burden of child care, the Project Resilience Child Care Initiative is yet another example of how communities can come together to meet the needs of our residents in these unprecedented times. I want to thank our many partners for realizing this critical need and coming together to find creative solutions.” 

The Project Resilience Child Care Initiative will dramatically expand those eligible to receive subsidized child care and will allow for hundreds of families to participate in the program. Presently, those at or below 200% of the poverty level are able to have 75% of their child care expenses funded by the Ulster County Department of Social Services. Through the Project Resilience Child Care Initiative, the eligibility requirement is being raised to 300%, with families between 200% and 300% eligible to have half of their child care costs covered over the next six weeks. 

In addition, through partnering with the United Way of Ulster County, these families can receive scholarships to attend school aged children’s programs throughout the county. Programs are being offered in every school district and Ulster County Community College as well as through traditional child care centers and organizations such as the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club. This effort aims to alleviate the struggles of working families in dire need of child care as a result of COVID-19.

The Project Resilience Child Care Initiative is made possible through partnership with Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, The Benjamin Center at SUNY New Paltz, United Way of Ulster County, Family of Woodstock and the Child Care Resource and Referral Program, Ulster County Child Care Council, YMCA of Kingston, Healthy Kids Extended Day Program, Ulster County Community Action, SUNY Ulster, Ulster BOCES, Boys & Girls Club, and Center for Creative Education, and other school aged care program providers.   

“Access to reliable, affordable, quality child care is not a new issue for many working families. Unfortunately, like many other things, this need and the costs associated with it have been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic,” Director of The Benjamin Center at SUNY New Paltz KT Tobin said. “I am thankful to County Executive Ryan for being willing to pivot the support of Project Resilience, and for assisting families with much needed childcare subsidies.”

“The United Way of Ulster County was proud to partner with Ulster County during the first phase of Project Resilience. We saw firsthand how impactful that program was not only to families struggling with food insecurity, but also to businesses struggling to exist during the early stages of the pandemic,” President and CEO of United Way of Ulster County Stacey Rein said. “We are again proud to work with the County Executive and his team on the issue of childcare affordability. Many families in Ulster County are living one crisis away from bankruptcy, and programs like this are an important safety net to those families.”

Launched in March, Project Resilience started as a community fund and local food distribution efforts established to support residents impacted by COVID-19.Within 24 hours of its inception, County Executive Ryan secured over $2 million dollars in funding and announced partnerships with municipal governments, local businesses, and not-for-profits. Since launching, Project Resilience has provided nearly 300,000 meals while supporting over 100 small businesses.

For additional information about the Project Resilience Child Care Initiative and to find out if you qualify for assistance please call the Ulster County Recovery Service Center at (845) 443-8888 or visit https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/schools/. For more information and help to locate child care programs that have available slots, contact Family of Woodstock, Inc.’s Child Care resource and Referral Service at 845-331-7080 or online at https://www.familyofwoodstockinc.org/ccc/for-families/need-child-care/.  

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