Dear NYS Principals and Administrators,
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has announced that effective immediately, $25 million in funds are available to provide support for children of essential workers residing in New York State through the Essential Worker Scholarship. The scholarship covers childcare costs for children aged six weeks through 13 years. Payments will be made directly to eligible providers on the parents’ behalf. For more information regarding this grant and useful links, please see the OCFS website.
Please see below for eligibility requirements:
Eligible Provider means a licensed/registered/permitted or enrolled legally exempt group childcare provider who does not currently have a suspended or revoked status from OCFS or DOHMH. If you are not sure whether your program is eligible, please reach out to us.
For NYC: Please note that all Article 47 programs are eligible. Article 43 programs are eligible only if they are an enrolled site (they accept preschool vouchers). For elementary after-school programs, if you are registered with OCFS or you are an enrolled afterschool program, you are eligible.
Household Eligibility:
3. Attest that no other adult is available to care for the children.
Scholarship Eligibility:
This scholarship will pay up to the market rate for tuition for child care for
a) children up to age 13
b) or children under age 19 and physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself, or under court supervision.
Application:
Apply here - Applications will be processed on a first come first serve basis
