WHAT:
OCFS will hold a Child Care Provider Appreciation Celebration to recognize child care providers for the critical services they offer to working parents and their children. Safe, high-quality child care is vital to allowing parents to work or attend educational programs that enhance their economic stability while their children are being cared for and nurtured in a developmentally appropriate program. This year’s Early Childhood Educator and Child Care Provider Appreciation Celebration is being held as Governor Kathy Hochul announces a sweeping plan to transform the child care system. These investments, as part of the FY 2024 budget, will make the system more equitable, more affordable and easier to access.  

WHEN:
Monday, May 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. 

WHERE:
Kid Central Child Care 
145 Vly Road, Colonie, NY 12309 

WHO:
OCFS Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave will lead the event joined by OCFS Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Child Care Services Nora Yates, Kid Central owner Gary Ziele, child care stakeholders and several invited elected officials. 

DETAILS:
Presentation of a Governor’s proclamation declaring May 8 – 12 Early Childhood Educator and Child Care Provider Appreciation Week, along with the following: 

• OCFS leaders, child care representatives and elected officials will speak about the critical importance of safe, high-quality child care to the well-being of children and families as well as the overall economy and community stability. 
• They will also address newly announced child care investments included in New York’s FY 2024 budget. This includes expanded eligibility to help more families access child care assistance, a planned statewide electronic platform to streamline and centralize the process by which families apply for child care assistance and $500 million investment to recruit and retain child care workers. 
• Kid Central Child Care is the recipient of two state child care grants, one of which has been used for workforce retention efforts. 

About the New York State Office of Children and Family Services: 

The Office of Children and Family Services serves New York's public by promoting the safety, permanency and well-being of children, families and communities. The agency provides a system of family support, juvenile justice, youth development, child care and child welfare services and is responsible for programs and services involving foster care, adoption and adoption assistance, child protective services, preventive services for children and families, and protective programs for vulnerable adults.