Child Care that Works for Working Parents

CWE's Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project was created because existing child care subsidies were not meeting the needs of working families

More than two decades ago, a coalition of unions came together to advocate for policies to support working families. One of their greatest successes has been the Consortium for Worker Education’s Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project, which created a streamlined process and new subsidies to support child care programs for working parents. Today, it remains a life-changing program for many New York workers and their children.
 
"The Facilitated Enrollment Project helped me get my toddler into a licensed day care program where she is learning letters and shapes,” says Karla. “My toddler comes home every day knowing a new nursery rhyme and talking more every day. With the voucher, I am on cloud nine because my toddler is now prepared to enter 3K."
 
Child care in New York is expensive -- often more than $20,000 per year for an infant at a licensed day care. 
 
“Who can afford that, even if you are working?” asks Tarmo Kirsimae, Director of the program from CWE. 
 
Many child care subsidies have historically targeted families in poverty, leaving those above the poverty line to fend for themselves. Traditionally, applying for child care subsidies was also a burdensome process, requiring parents to miss work for in-person appointments. If they did not have a needed document, then they would have to take another day off for a second appointment. 
 
The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project took a different approach. CWE partners with unions to bring the application process directly to workers at their jobs -- from hospitals with 1199, to schools with UFT, to Macy’s with RWDSU, and more. CWE holds application events in communities as well and parents can apply by email, fax, or online. 
 
“It should be as easy as possible for working families to access child care subsidies,” says Jocelyn Mazurkiewicz, Assistant Director of the program from CWE. “We come to you and move through the application process at your speed.” 
 
Parents receive a voucher and can select any child care provider, including licensed daycare, in-home care, or informal, unregulated care. The voucher moves with the child, from one provider to another. Or from after-school care, to summer camp, and back again. On average, families save $15,000 a year thanks to the program.
 
“Receiving the child care subsidy has impacted my life because it has allowed me to remain in the workforce and provide for my family,” says Nathalia. “Without help I wouldn’t be able to continue working, child care would consume most of my paycheck. With the assistance provided by the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project, I can continue to remain at my job as an essential worker and contribute to the community.”
 
During the pandemic, federal funds allowed the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project to enroll more families. 1,400 children are now benefiting from the program.
 
Thanks to new support from the state legislature, led by Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi and Senator Jessica Ramos, all child care subsidy programs are expanding eligibility to higher-income parents. Starting October 1, maximum income limits will increase so families earning up to 85% of the state’s median income for a household of their size will be eligible for subsidies. That is $99,250 for a family of four. A new scholarship program that will be offered by the Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project will be open to even more working families at higher income thresholds. 
 
“The Child Care Facilitated Enrollment Project removes the stigma of subsidized child care,” says Jocelyn Mazurkiewicz. “Instead of the process being a drain, it is empowering for parents. With increased state funding, we will be able to provide this transformational benefit to even more families.” 
 
New York City families with children under 13 can start the application process by filling out the pre-screening form at cwe.org.