Women's Agenda for NYS Budget

The Child Care Council of Suffolk (CCCS) was pleased to participate in “Governor Cuomo’s Council on Women and Girls Regional Empowerment Forum,” which was held at The Tilles Center in Brookville, New York. The Forum was designed to develop an empowerment action plan and to discuss the intersectionality of the Women’s Agenda for the Long Island Region. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul provided the keynote address in which she urged participants to get involved in the 2018 budget process and to support the effort to build on New York State’s proud legacy of leading the way to advance women’s rights by breaking down the barriers to equality.

CCCS Associate Executive Director at the Child Care Council of Suffolk and a leading partner in the Long Island Pre-K Initiative Jennifer Marino Rojas participated in the Forum, which also featured Long Island thought leaders:

●Financial Services Superintendent and Moderator Maria T. Vullo

●Long Island University President Kimberly R. Cline

●NAACP Long Island Regional Director Tracey Edwards

●Workforce Development Institute Long Island Regional Director Rosalie Drago

●Girls Inc. Executive Director Renee Flagler

●LI Against Domestic Violence Executive Director Colleen Merlo

●Planned Parenthood of Nassau County President & CEO JoAnn D. Smith

●Director of Women's Affairs for Governor Cuomo Kelli Owens

Child care was among the many important issues discussed at the Forum. “I am pleased that Governor Cuomo has included child care and Pre-K in his priorities. Affordable, quality child care needs to be available to all working families in order to truly close the wage gap,” Rojas stated. “Furthermore, investing in child care is a critical element to helping close the gender pay gap and empowering women. Affordable, quality child care promotes upward economic mobility and boosts women’s participation in the workforce. This benefits the entire New York State economy and helps to ensure that our future generations will have the skills they need to thrive.”

Governor Cuomo’s proposed Executive Budget restores 2017's $7 million cut to child care. The Child Care Council of Suffolk is working closely with our partners around the state to urge the State Assembly and Senate to support the Governor's proposal and to add at least $26 million more for child care subsidies in the final New York State budget, which is due on April 1, 2018.

“We invite all to help us at this critical juncture to join us on the bus to Albany on March 13, 2018, to state our case,” said Rojas. Please contact Jennifer Rojas at jrojas@childcaresuffolk.org or 631-462-0303 for more information about how you can help Long Island’s children, working parents and economy thrive.

Photo Captions: Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochel. Governor Cuomo’s Council on Women and Girls Regional Empowerment Forum panelists. Photos courtesy of Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc.

About the Child Care Council of Suffolk

Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc., is the not-for-profit planning and coordinating agency dedicated to making child care work for all of Suffolk County’s diverse communities. Through advocacy, education and resource and referral, the Council takes a leadership role in supporting children, families, providers, employers and the public to ensure that quality child care takes its place as an integral part of society.