Applications open for workforce retention grants

Gov. Kathy Hochul Announces $500 Million Workforce Retention Grant Program for Childcare

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has recently opened applications for a $500 million grant program aimed at strengthening the state’s childcare workforce. The funding, which is part of the FY 2024 Budget, will support approximately 150,000 direct childcare staff through various financial incentives. These incentives include retention and referral bonuses for existing staff, as well as sign-on bonuses for new staff.

Expanding Access to Essential Childcare Services

In a news release from her office, Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of affordable childcare services for families. As a mother who had to pause her career due to a lack of access to such services, she understands the impact it can have on families. Through the Workforce Retention Grant Program, the governor aims to grow and support the childcare workforce while expanding access to essential services across the state.

The Workforce Retention Grant Program

The Workforce Retention Grant Program was created as part of the FY 2024 Budget. It will make $500 million in underutilized federal funds available as grants for eligible childcare programs. The funding can be used for staff retention bonuses and recruitment activities, including expenses related to recruiting and hiring new staff, as well as employer taxes incurred during bonus payments or recruitment expenses.

Eligibility and Program Scope

Eligible childcare programs include school-age childcare programs, daycare centers, family day care homes, group family day care programs, small daycare centers, and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-permitted Article 47 group centers. Staff eligible for retention and referral bonuses must be employed at the program’s physical location, have an active, direct child-caring role, have worked a minimum number of hours per week from January 1, 2023, to June 26, 2023, and have completed a background check on or before June 26, 2023.

Additional Investments in Childcare

In addition to the Workforce Retention Grant Program, the FY 2024 Budget includes historic funding for childcare. This includes a $4.8 million investment in a new Employer-Sponsored Child Care Pilot Program. Under this program, participating employers, the state, and employees will share the cost of childcare. Families must fall between 85 percent and 100 percent of the state median income to qualify. The pilot program will operate in three separate regions throughout the state.

The FY 2024 Budget also introduces the Employer Child Care Tax Credit, which provides a $25 million annual credit to businesses that create new childcare seats or expand existing options for workers. The credit will be administered over two years through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Furthermore, $1 million has been allocated in the budget to create a statewide business navigator program in each of the 10 Regional Economic Development Council regions. This program aims to help businesses identify options to support their employees’ childcare needs and will also develop a statewide employer childcare guidebook.

Expanding the Empire State Child Credit

The FY 2024 Budget also includes an expansion of the Empire State Child Credit (ESCC) to include children younger than four. This expansion will provide a total support of $179 million for over 525,000 low- and middle-income taxpayers, benefiting nearly 630,000 additional children. Previously, the ESCC excluded children younger than four since its inception in 2006. The expansion will provide an average additional benefit of $340 per affected taxpayer and $284 per newly included child.

Acting Commissioner Suzanne Miles-Gustave from the Office of Children and Family Services expressed the importance of the childcare workforce grants in hiring and maintaining quality staff for the nurturing and development of children. These grants recognize the vital role played by childcare employees, who are primarily women and many of whom are people of color. The governor’s initiatives and reforms aim to make childcare services more affordable, accessible, and equitable for hardworking families in New York.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the funding and initiatives aimed at improving the childcare workforce in New York. These issues are connected to SDG 4, which focuses on quality education, as it emphasizes the importance of early childhood development and care. SDG 5, gender equality, is relevant because the childcare workforce is primarily made up of women. SDG 8, decent work and economic growth, is addressed through the focus on creating and retaining jobs in the childcare sector. SDG 10, reduced inequalities, is connected to the efforts to provide affordable and accessible childcare services for all families.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.2: Ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education
• Target 5.4: Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status

The article highlights the importance of providing quality early childhood development and care, which aligns with Target 4.2 of SDG 4. The initiatives and funding mentioned in the article also aim to recognize and value the unpaid care and domestic work done by childcare providers, addressing Target 5.4 of SDG 5. The focus on creating and retaining jobs in the childcare sector relates to Target 8.5 of SDG 8. Lastly, the efforts to provide affordable and accessible childcare services for all families contribute to Target 10.2 of SDG 10.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicator not mentioned in the article

The article does not provide specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, potential indicators could include the number of childcare programs supported by the Workforce Retention Grant Program, the increase in the number of childcare staff retained and recruited, and the affordability and accessibility of childcare services for families.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: troyrecord.com

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.