SUNY Old Westbury To Get State Child Care Funding, For Students, Staff

BROOKVILLE, NY — Students and faculty at SUNY Old Westbury will soon have more options when it comes to on-campus child care, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.

A state initiative to address "child care deserts" at SUNY and CUNY schools will distribute $7.6 million to the campuses with the greatest unmet child care needs, a news release from the governor's office said.

At the high-need campuses, the governor said, up to 80 percent of students with children said they had trouble meeting their child care needs.

"Expanding high-quality, affordable child care options is an essential piece of creating a more equitable and accessible higher education system for New Yorkers," she said.

"This funding is a critical step toward ensuring parents have the support they need to pursue a quality education and build a better future for themselves and their families."

The Brookville Center for Children's Services at SUNY Old Westbury was one of the first on-campus child care facilities to open at a SUNY school. The center cares for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, allowing "students who may not otherwise be able to finish their degrees continue their education."

Grants are available to offset the tuition cost. The recent announcement from Hochul said that with the additional funding another 350 spots will be added to the 4,500 currently available state-wide.