Page 10 - The Indian EYE 072525

COMMUNITY OP-ED JULY 25, 2025 | The Indian Eye 10

It Takes a City: Bringing New York City

One Step Closer to Universal Childcare

for Low-Income Families

We are also investing $10 million in a groundbreaking pilot program to provide free childcare for children aged two and
under. If successful, this program could put New York City on the path to universal childcare for low-income families

ERIC ADAMS

he best way to make the Ameri-
can Dream a reality for all New
T Yorkers is by making our city
more affordable for working-class
families. Childcare costs have sky-
rocketed across New York City, put-
ting pressure on monthly bills and
family budgets. Working families are
struggling to afford these high costs,
resulting in many leaving the five bor-
oughs. Parents deserve better, and
our administration is delivering for
them.
Last week, we announced an
additional $80 million investment, Affordable childcare means that families can stay in the city, and it means that parents can continue to work (Agency file photo)
as part of our recently passed “Best
Budget Ever,” to support working Affordable childcare means that made this budget one that will deliver have driven down the cost of subsi-
families and ensure that every child families can stay in the city, and it for working-class families — one that dized childcare by over 90 percent.
has access to early childhood educa- means that parents can continue to would have helped my mom and my Thanks to our efforts, a family earn-
tion programs. Here’s how that mon- work. We know that when mothers family when we were growing up. ing $55,000 a year went from spend-
ey breaks down: leave the workforce to care for a Affordable childcare and early ing $55 a week on childcare in 2022
For too long, universal pre-K child, they forgo $145,000 in earn- childhood education is more than to just $4.80 a week today.
wasn’t fully universal, since it left out ings throughout their lifetime on av- just a babysitter, it’s essential for a Our administration understands
students with disabilities. But we are erage. If parents are forced to leave strong society, a thriving and equita- that in New York, it takes a city
changing that. As part of our “Best the workforce, their families struggle, ble economy, and the development to raise a child. We are expanding
Budget Ever,” we are investing an- and our economy is weakened. The of our kids. No child deserves to start childcare to younger children and
other $70 million towards supporting size of your paycheck or your bank their life a step behind. ensuring that families have access
pre-K special education students who account shouldn’t determine whether That’s why we have made his- to childcare across the five boroughs
require occupational therapy, speech your child gets the childcare you and toric investments in early childhood because we know that to make New
therapy, and other related services. they need. education time and time again. We York City the best place to raise a
We are also investing $10 million This issue is personal to me. My have dedicated almost $170 million family we must make childcare more
in a groundbreaking pilot program mom couldn’t afford childcare, even more in funding for early childhood affordable and universal. That is ex-
to provide free childcare for children though she worked three jobs to put education permanent in our city bud- actly what we are doing — every day,
aged two and under. If successful, food on the table for her six kids. My get, meaning critical programs like everywhere, as we continue to deliver
this program could put New York sister raised me and my siblings be- pre-K special education and the ex- for New Yorkers.
City on the path to universal child- cause the city was not there to help pansion of our citywide 3-K program Eric Adams is the Mayor of
care for low-income families. us when we needed it. That’s why we will be supported forever. And we New York City, NY

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