BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The 7 Eyewitness News I-Team has learned that Erie County will receive an additional $2 million from New York state to help pay for child care costs.
This follows an update to a story we first told you about Tuesday, about the finite pool of money available for people who make 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
A family of four would qualify making $51,500 or less a year.
Erie County voted to receive that money Thursday.
You can read the resolution approved by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, here.
Legislator Lisa Chimera says affording childcare is difficult for many families and says today is just one step toward affordable childcare.
"We should not have families making these difficult choices when it comes to childcare," she said.
Home daycare provider Diane Abram says 99% of her clientele relies on subsidies to pay for their daycare. She says the assistance doesn't mean a free ride. The county assesses how much each family can afford.
"I have some people who only pay $1 a week and some who pay $30 a week," Abram said.
Abram, the owner of Toot Toot Daycare in Buffalo says it's a double edged-sword. Providers, like her are servicing people who need financial assistance with daycare and aren't making enough money to support their business.
"The rate I get from subsidies is $4.11 per hour," she said.
