Additionally, she said, “We want to ensure that working families are provided with the resources for safe, accessible and affordable child care. By promoting and investing in child care, we know it can improve women’s participation in the workforce and narrow the gender wage gap.”
Hochul serves as co-chairwoman of the Child Care Availability Task Force. She said they will “explore and support innovative approaches to providing quality care across the state.”
According to the governor’s office, the Child Care Availability Task Force comprises of children’s advocates, representatives from the child care provider community, state agencies, and local social services departments.
Sheila J. Poole, Acting Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Service, said, “Improving access to quality child care for working parents requires a pioneering approach that looks beyond state and federal funding.”
In addition, Poole emphasized that they need “innovative thinking” to address childcare because it is “foundational to economic growth.”
