Suffolk County Legislative Forum on Child Care

Child Care Council of Suffolk (CCCS) Executive Director Jennifer Marino Rojas served as a guest speaker at a Suffolk County Legislative Forum on child care. Rojas joined Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature DuWayne Gregory and New York State Senator and head of the Suffolk County Child Care Commission Monica Martinez in discussing the Long Island Early Childhood Legislative Agenda & Strategy. An update on the current state of child care in Suffolk County and a discussion about the ongoing efforts to seek increased funding for child care also were featured topics.

The child care industry in New York is struggling due to lack of funding, new regulations, increasing minimum wage, decreasing workforce and families unable to secure accessible, affordable child care. The legislative forum offered a call to action for elected officials, child care providers, the Child Care Commission and others to address this crisis facing Long Island’s working families and their children as well as the region’s economy.

“Families and child care providers are facing a growing crisis. We need strong and substantial investments in New York’s child care industry this year. Without new funding, child care programs will continue to close, leaving Long Island families with fewer appropriate options for their children,” described Rojas.

About Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc.

Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. is the not-for-profit planning and coordinating agency dedicated to making child care work for all Suffolk County’s diverse communities. Through advocacy, education, and resource and referral, the Council takes a leadership role in supporting children, families, providers, employers and the public to ensure that quality child care takes its place as an integral part of society.