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State officials to discuss need for increased childcare subsidies

Posted at 10:47 AM, Oct 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-28 20:25:05-04

The high cost of childcare continues to cripple many families in WNY. 

Under the current 200% limit, a family of four making over $48,000 doesn't qualify for state subsidies, leaving them in the difficult position of choosing between working full-time or staying home to care for their family. 

Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) will welcome Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) to Western New York to convene a roundtable discussion with local child care advocates at the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County to discuss the need for the expansion childcare subsidy programs in Erie County.

By expanding the income limit to 275% of the poverty level, a family of four would be able to make up to $66,825 while still taking advantage of this program. According to data from Erie County, there are currently over 10,000 households with children under six that make between 200-299% of the federal poverty level.

Kennedy and Klein will speak to their renewed push for state funding for this expansion, while the nearly dozen advocates joining them will underscore how this will change not only the lives of parents and children, but the WNY workforce and economy.

7 Eyewitness News will continue to track this story throughout the day. We will also be visiting a daycare in West Seneca to better understand the challenges facing working parents.