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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

Child Care “Crisis” to Impact NY Economy?

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Monday, February 25, 2013   

MELVILLE, N.Y. - Diminished funds, increasing costs and lowered eligibility are creating a "perfect storm" that has New York's child care program at the breaking point. That's the warning from advocates and a new report from business leaders.

Janet Walerstein with the Child Care Council of Suffolk said the number of families receiving the child care subsidy dropped drastically in Suffolk County from 2011 to 2012, leaving more than 2,000 children at risk. She said parents are withdrawing their children from quality programs and placing them in less reliable options - or leaving them home alone.

"There are parents crying on the phone," she said. "They can't afford the child care. What are they going to do?"

Meanwhile, the new report from Long Island business leaders applauded Gov. Cuomo's proposed $25 million increase in funding for full-day Pre-K in high-needs districts, but it also urged that this funding be used wisely.

Michael DeLouise, chairman of the Melville Chamber of Commerce, hailed the report by America's Edge, which cited studies showing children who participate in high-quality early learning programs are more likely to excel, academically and financially, as adults. He said that translates into impressive returns, as much as $16 for every $1 invested.

"That is a tremendous relief to our economy as we go along," he said. "Instead of filling up our prisons, we should be filling up our science labs. That's really what this is all about."

Janet Walerstein said Cuomo's effort to expand full-day pre-K is commendable, but more needs to be done.

"We thank the governor for his commitment to pre-kindergarten," she said, "but learning doesn't start at age 4. Learning starts from birth. Parents are going back to work when children are 6 weeks old. What is happening with support that families need?"

DeLouise said investments in high-quality early care and education have a "multiplier effect," giving an immediate boost to New York businesses and long-term economic benefits through a more skilled future workforce.

"New York State right now has a commitment for $25 million dollars in their budget," DeLouise said. "So, what is that going to mean? It'll repay itself 16 times. And they're looking at maybe putting quite a bit more, maybe as much as $75 million in it."

In Suffolk County, as elsewhere in the state, advocates have called for a change in the allocation formula for the child care subsidy.




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