New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that more than 10,000 low-income children will be moved off the city’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) waitlist and gain access to free child care.
The program will serve eligible children ages 6 weeks through 13 years old, while children with special needs can qualify for assistance through age 19.
Families will be invited on a rolling basis over the coming months to apply for vouchers that cover child care at an eligible provider of their choice.
The announcement comes as more than 29,000 children have been waiting for child care assistance.
The expansion is supported by a $1.2 billion investment from Gov. Kathy Hochul, including $475 million specifically for child care vouchers.
The city also announced a $5.2 million investment to eliminate out-of-pocket fees for families receiving child care vouchers, meaning families coming off the waitlist will not have to pay traditional copays.
Federal requirements prioritize families with incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, families experiencing homelessness and families with children who have special needs.
The city has also updated its child care website and map, allowing parents to search for licensed providers and identify those accepting child care vouchers.
Mamdani called the expansion a major step toward his administration’s goal of universal child care.
For more metro, national, and international news stories, visit newyorkvoicenews.com.
Add as preferred source on Google
