As featured in the Democrat & Chronicle

Monroe receives $8 million for day care
By Jill Terreri • Staff writer • May 7, 2009

After having to drop nearly 1,000 children from subsidized day care last year, Monroe County will receive an increase in day care aid of $8 million through March 2010.

The money should start flowing to needy families within days, said county spokesman Noah Lebowitz.

In addition to a $4.9 million increase in the county's block grant allocation, $3 million will come from federal stimulus funds.

Outside of New York City, Monroe County has the largest subsidized day care program of any county and received the most money in both categories.

Another fund, set up by Assemblywoman Susan John, D-Rochester, and distributed by the Children's Institute, has $2.5 million in it this year, $1 million more than last year.

John and Assemblyman David Gantt, D-Rochester, several nonprofit advocates and County Executive Maggie Brooks all worked to secure more funds, Lebowitz said.

In advocating for more funds, the county pledged to expand the program, Lebowitz said.

In the past, the county has not used all of the money it received, drawing criticism from advocates and state government. The exact number of children who will be eligible for subsidized care will be determined in the coming days.

In September, a lack of funding caused the county to decrease the income for families eligible for day care to 125 percent of the poverty rate, which resulted in 961 children being dropped from the program.

Dr. Jeff Kaczorowski, executive director of the Children's Agenda, said his group and others were lobbying for an $8.5 million increase.

"We'll be able to serve hundreds and hundreds more children of low-income, working parents," Kaczorowski said.