When your kid is in an unsafe environment while you’re at work, that’s the main thing on your mind.
The Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a non-profit devoted to supporting workforce needs, recognizes this, so they created the Child Care Subsidy Program.
It’s been around for years now, but the pandemic significantly increased the need for the program, which helps both families in need of child care assistance and supports child care providers.
Brittany Buffum is the Director of Workforce Support and oversees the program. She said child care providers have been challenging to access throughout the pandemic. Still, they are crucial to success in the workplace.
“Without them, many of those healthcare workers that went to work last year wouldn’t have been able to,” said Buffum.
In 2020, the program helped over 100 small business child care providers and almost 290 children.
Buffum describes the high demand for child care in New York State as a “child care desert.” She said at least a third of child care providers are eligible for public assistance.
“We are paying these people pennies for really, really important work that has long-term impacts,” said Buffum.
For those in need of childcare, Buffum conducts a short pre-screening for families.
To start the process, those interested can go to wdiny.org/childcare.
