New York State is using a portion of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) funds to provide child care to income eligible essential workers at no cost. Essential workers who must work outside of the home and who are using a regulated child care provider will receive a scholarship for the cost of care as long as the funds to support it are available.
All licensed and regulated providers who are caring for essential workers are able to participate in this new program.
To qualify for the scholarship, families must have an adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four that equals an annual income of $78,600.
Parents are asked to complete an application for the CARES Child Care Scholarship via the link below. It informs parents that the application will be considered complete once the online application is finished AND the required supplemental documentation is submitted to Brightside Up, the Childcare Resource and Referral Agency (CCRA) for Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady counties. For parents that currently receive a subsidy from their local DSS to pay for child care, this scholarship can cover the parent co-pay.
Parents should apply for the CARES Act Scholarship, and then contact their local Department of Social Services to get a letter stating their current co-pay. Please address any questions to Tricia Howland at thowland@brightsideup.org.
CARES Child Care Scholarship Parent Application
UPDATED: April 30, 2020
Capital District YMCA school-age childcare covers healthcare workers, first-responders and other “essential” staff
New locations, a daily rate — financial assistance offered!
The Capital District YMCA has extended care to cover “essential” workers. In addition to licensed health professionals such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, LPNs, there are many other “essential” workers.
For the complete list, please check here: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
The Y has also partnered with several other organizations, such as the Victory Church, and is providing food for children in Albany, Greenbush, Schenectady and Troy.
Locations providing care:
- Arbor Hill Elementary — 1 Arbor Drive, Albany, NY 12207
- Eagle Point Elementary — 1044 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203
- Giffen Elementary — 274 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202
- Hoosick Falls Central School — 21187 NY RT 22, Hoosick Falls, NY 12090
- New Scotland Elementary — 369 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208
- Philip Schuyler Achievement — 676 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
- Sheridan Preparatory Academy — 400 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
YMCA branches providing care:
- Bethlehem — 900 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054
- Duanesburg — 221 Victoria Drive, Delanson, NY 12053
- Glenville — 127 Droms Road, Glenville, NY 12302
- Greenbush — 20 Community Way, East Greenbush, NY 12061
- Greene County — 35 Rt. 81, Hope Plaza, West Coxsackie, NY 12192
- Guilderland — 250 Winding Brook Drive, Guilderland, NY 12084
- Schenectady — 433 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
- Southern Saratoga — 1 Wall Street, Clifton Park, NY 12065
- Troy — 2500 21st Street, Troy, NY 12180
Online registration can be found at: www.CDYMCA.org/EmergencyChildcare
You’re also welcome to call the Capital District YMCA at 518.869.3500.
To provide childcare scholarship assistance for essential personnel during these unprecedented times, the Capital District YMCA sets a goal to raise $250,000 towards the BETTER TOGETHER FUND, an emergency childcare fund for essential personnel as defined by Governor Cuomo.
The Y always accepts families, regardless of their ability to pay. By contributing to the BETTER TOGETHER FUND, the people of our region will make a direct and immediate impact by helping the Y provide safe, high-quality care for children whose parents and guardians have no choice but to report to work. “This is an opportunity for us to come together for our first responders, medical professionals, and essential workers, and help care for their children and lighten their financial burden, as they must report to work and keep our community healthy and safe,” noted Capital District YMCA President David Brown. Please join the Capital District YMCA by demonstrating how we come together and serve those who need us the most.
Visit www.CDYMCA.org today.
About the Capital District YMCA
The Capital District YMCA is one of the area’s largest non-profits focused on engaging individuals and families in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y is dedicated to helping people achieve goals, make friends and find a true sense of belonging. The YMCA ensures these opportunities are available to everyone no matter their ability to pay with generous support from community partners and donors. For more information about the Y, visit www.CDYMCA.org or call 518.869.3500.
UPDATED: Monday, March 23, 2020
The Office and Child and Family Services (OCFS ) is collecting information on the current need for childcare in our area.
If you are a parent or caregiver who needs child care, please complete this parent need for child care survey. Based on the information you provide about your job, employer, number of children, and financial need, OCFS may be able to help you find the child program you need. It may be a challenge to find child care due to COVID-19 related program closures, however the staff at OCFS are trying their best to support families to find the high-quality child care that they need. In addition, the OCFS website has several resources available https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/
If you are looking for child care, the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCRR) is a great place to start. They will ask you about the kind of care you are looking for, the ages of your children, the hours of care you need and other specifics such as any special needs your child might have. Based on that information, they will be able to give you a list of providers that most closely meet your needs.
Contact Brightside Up (formally Capital District Child Care Coordinating Council, Inc.) (518) 426-7181, ext. 323, for more information.
UPDATED: Thursday, March 26, 2020