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In this newsletter:
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NEW: ESCCC Legislative Priorities for 2026
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NEW: "New York State Child Care for All" Report + Press Briefings
- Grassroots Kickoff Webinars Recap 10/28 + 11/17
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SAVE THE DATE: Advocacy Day 2026 + Registration Announcement Date
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THANK YOU: SNAP Sign On Letters + Call to Action
- CCAP Enrollment Monitor from The Children’s Agenda
- ESCCC in the News
- Happy Holidays!
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Dear Empire State Campaign for Child Care members,
The momentum for universal child care is building and we have YOU to thank for it!
This past month we have been hard at work bringing together parents, providers, advocates, legislators, and media personnel from across the state to advocate for a child care system that meets the needs of all children, families, and child care providers.
As we head into the new legislative session, we will continue to advocate for our universal child care plan, New York Child Care for All, which includes:
- Establishing a permanent workforce compensation fund to ensure child care workers earn thriving wages;
- Fully funding the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) so every eligible family can access care; and
- Launching two bridge programs that move New York closer to universal child care for all
| Read on to learn how you can get involved and stay connected to our work! | | "New York State Child Care for All" Report + Press Briefings | | Photo Credit | Shelby Lohr/Day Care Council of New York | | |
Last week members of the campaign, alongside legislators and city council members, took to the steps of NYC's City Hall to announce a plan for universal child care across the state.
The campaign's latest report, "New York State Child Care for All", outlines actionable steps policymakers can take to put the state on the path to a child care system that works for ALL families. This cannot be achieved without significant and permanent investments in the child care workforce, Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and asset-limited communities.
We are exceptionally grateful to Senator Jabari Brisport and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi, co-chairs of the Committee on Children and Families, as well as Senator Robert Jackson, NYC Council Member Rita Joseph, NYC Council Members Jennifer Gutierrez, and Elizabeth Kennedy from the Office of the NYC Public Advocate, for joining the campaign to let other policymakers know that universal child care can be and should be a reality in New York.
| | The campaign also hosted a virtual press briefing yesterday, where media outlets and campaign members learned more about the campaign's roadmap to universal child care. The briefing further reiterated that child care for all is possible in New York State with robust investments and strategic policy. | | October + November Grassroots Kickoff Webinars | | |
Over this past month, we led two grassroots webinars where campaign leaders reflected on this year's progress towards universal child care, provided an overview of child care on the state and federal level, and discussed the campaign’s priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Over 200 advocates registered to join us and learn more about the campaign's past, present, and future advocacy efforts!
| | Save the Date: Advocacy Day 2026 | | Each year, hundreds of parents, providers, and advocates travel to Albany from across the state to meet with legislators, rally together, and make their voices heard. This is a day for every parent who’s had to choose between affording child care and housing, for every provider that’s stayed up late wondering how they can keep their doors open, for every staff member who had to leave the child care workforce because they could no longer afford to stay. We hear you and together we will fight for you until those struggles are a thing of the past. | |
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The momentum for universal child care is building across the nation and we need YOU to help us reach the tipping point where policymakers can no longer delay, deflect, or ignore the urgent need for universal child care and permanent compensation funding for the child care workforce.
Join us for one day. One voice. One demand: Universal child care for ALL New York families!
01.27.2026
| | IMPORTANT: We will be launching registration for Advocacy Day on Wednesday, December 3rd. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information! | | Thank You: SNAP Sign On Letters | | |
Earlier this month, we collaborated with the New York CAN End Child Poverty coalition and other anti-hunger partners to call on the NYS congressional delegation to address the harmful and disruptive impact of the federal shutdown on the 2.9 million New Yorkers who receive SNAP benefits - over 1 million of whom are children.
Two letters, an organizational sign on letter and an individual sign on letter, were created urging New York State to fill funding gaps and ensure SNAP recipients received their full benefits on time.
We want to express our sincerest gratitude to the almost 100 organizations and almost 200 individuals who made their voices heard and signed onto the coalition's letters.
| | NYS CCAP Enrollment Monitor | | |
New York State’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) allows eligible families to receive low-cost child care so parents can work or pursue an education while their children receive care in a safe and nurturing environment.
Over the past several years, state policymakers have expanded eligibility for the program, allowing more families to qualify for this important support. Doing so has dramatically increased enrollment in the program. And while New York State has added nearly $1 billion dollars in additional spending for the program, funding for the program is insufficient in many parts of state.
Once demand exceeds capacity and funding, some counties operate a waitlist - adding families as space becomes available. Others close enrollment altogether and instruct families to apply again when enrollment re-opens.
You can access county-based enrollment data, along with waitlist status, using the tracker below.
| | The information on this dashboard was obtained from the New York State Office of Children and Families Services website. We are grateful to our partners at The Children’s Agenda for creating this dashboard. | | |
Members of the campaign have been speaking to reporters across the state about the opportunity we have in New York State to achieve our vision of universal child care. Check out some recent publications below:
For additional articles about child care and the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, please visit our media library.
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As we begin the holiday season, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to all of you. Thank you for your passion, dedication, and commitment to creating a better child care system across New York State.
This year has been filled with meaningful progress, challenging moments, and countless opportunities to come together around our shared values. We're grateful to be in this work alongside you.
However you're spending this season - whether gathering with loved ones, taking time to rest, or continuing the important work we all share - we hope you find moments of warmth, reflection, and renewal.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!
| | Our work continues - for you and alongside you - until every family and provider has the resources, support, and access to thrive within the child care system. We are so grateful for you joining us on this journey towards universal child care in New York State! | | | | |
