State Allocates Federal Funds to Underwrite Child Care Costs

East Patchogue, NY – April 29, 2020 - To ease the family-related financial burdens pressing upon essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help keep these workers on the job, qualified parents may now obtain tuition scholarships to send their children to Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center in East Patchogue, a provider of child care and early childhood education services.

The center, located at 655 Montauk Highway in the Swann Nursery Commons, is owned and operated by the not-for-profit Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk. It has served families in southern Brookhaven since 2001.

Government-designated essential workers include first responders such as healthcare providers, pharmaceutical staff, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, as well as food delivery workers, grocery store employees, and others needed to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. A complete list can be found here.

“The Suffolk County community applauds the heroism of the working people fighting on the front lines of this pandemic,” said Adrian Fassett, CEO of the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk. “Many of these courageous individuals are parents. Now, thanks to federal-state cooperation, these parents can enroll their children in our first-rate Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center in East Patchogue at no cost.”

Under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the State of New York has allocated $30 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) to cover the cost of child care services delivered by eligible providers. To qualify, parents’ income level must be less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level – or $78,600 for a family of four. Child care costs will be paid up to market rate for each region statewide.

Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center’s educational program – which serves a full demographic spectrum of young people – offers developmentally appropriate programs with specialized curriculum for a variety of ages. Its website is www.TheWayToGrow.org.

As one of the few such facilities open in Southern Brookhaven, Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center is following full CDC recommended COVID-19 safety precautions. They are also utilizing CARES funding to purchase eligible child care supplies such as masks, gloves, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, and food.

Locally, the scholarship program is being administered by the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. in cooperation with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Parents can apply by completing this form. They will be notified by the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. of their eligibility within 24 hours.

About the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc.

The Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc (EOC of Suffolk) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) minority community-based organization (CBO) incorporated in the State of New York on May 5, 1967. EOC of Suffolk is Suffolk County's designated community action agency, recipient of the Federal Community Service Block Grant, which supports activities designed to assist low-income families and individuals receiving assistance under part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act. EOC of Suffolk promotes self-sufficiency by broadening the minds of children, revitalizing communities, and assisting families and children in need by providing services and coordinating a range of federal, state, local, and private resources. For more information, go to www.eoc-suffolk.com.