Monday, June 1st

8:30 - 10:00 AM

(Coffee and networking before and after the program)

Vassar College

College Center MPR

124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie

Through our Voices community conversations, one message has been clear: childcare in the Hudson Valley is increasingly scarce, expensive, and strained—yet it is a foundational, often overlooked, piece of our regional economic infrastructure. When families cannot access reliable care, workforce participation drops, talent pipelines weaken, and economic growth is constrained.

This program reframes childcare as a workforce and economic development imperative, examining its direct connection to labor force participation, talent retention, education pathways (including programs like the Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (TAP)), and early learning outcomes such as kindergarten readiness. It is designed to move beyond diagnosis toward cross-sector solutions that strengthen both family stability and regional competitiveness.

Co-hosted by Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley (CFHV) and Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC)

Opening Remarks

Geraldine Laybourne, Co-Founder, DAY ONE Early Learning Community

Laura Washington, President & CEO, CFHV

Sarah Lee, Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, HVEDC

Moderator

Jill Gomez, Executive Director, Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet

Panelists

• Sabrina Jaar Marzouka, JD, MPH, is the Commissioner, Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, administering the public assistance programs within the County as well as protective services for children and adults. During her tenure the department has strengthened its response to the community’s needs, reducing the number of children in foster care, increasing access to the various services including daycare subsidies and supplemental nutrition program among others.

• Madeline Henriquez, is the Executive Director, DAY ONE Early Learning Community leading the organization’s strategic vision to expand early childhood education and workforce development across New York State. A visionary leader with more than 20 years of experience in equitable economic advancement, she is recognized for building systems that strengthen families, support the early childhood workforce, and advance community-driven solutions to economic mobility.

• Chris White, is the Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Upward Mobility, State University of New York (SUNY).  In his role, he is responsible for providing strategic vision and leadership in creating and implementing workforce development initiatives, solidifying external partnerships, and ensuring seamless coordination across the SUNY System.

Photo: DAY ONE Early Learning Community

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To learn more, call 845-220-2244 or visit hvedc.com