BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County will use up to $25 million of its coronavirus relief funds in the CARES Act to help parents, childcare providers, and school districts as the new school year approaches.
In Erie County, providers have between 2,500 to 5,000 spots available, though there's 6,500 parents who need support with child care. County officials expect there to be more parents needed since many may have not filled out the survey.
$10 million will go towards child care subsidies and $4 million will go towards support for existing child care providers. The county will utilize $11 million for virtual learning support centers. Deputy Erie County Executive Maria Whyte says more work needs to be done.
This concept was created for parents who need an option for their kids to work without being at home. The virtual learning centers will be available at schools, libraries, community centers, senior centers, and more.. Schools will be determine how the virtual learning centers will be created.
"It's going to have to be staffed by individuals that are approved to provide that service," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said. "We know that the New York State Office of Child and Family Services, which normally approves these organizations, like child care centers, are giving us the opportunity to implement this countywide. They understand this is something that cannot wait."
Poloncarz said there will be employees at these virtual locations to assist kids with their tasks. Actual lessons will still be conducted virtually by teachers.
How will kids get there? Whyte said that is a conversation that is ongoing.
"Transportation to the virtual learning center can either be handled by the student walking there, perhaps by being dropped off there by private vehicle, possibly by public transportation," she said.
But for younger students? Whyte said their task force has asked all districts to address the challenge. She expects dozens of virtual learning center locations in Buffalo alone.
"Why put $11 million into this particular bucket of funding?" she asked. "In part because we know we would need multiple centers to help make them convenient for parents and families. I think another issue we have to consider is that we want to ensure the children are properly socially distanced."
Applications for the grants can be found by clicking here.
Child care subisides for parents ($10 million)
The county will cover the costs of child care for families who earn 85% of the state's median income. For example, a family of four who brings in only $100,000 per year is eligible to receive a county subsidy on child care. A family of five is eligible for the subsidy if they make less than $116,437.
"We want a lot of individuals who may not have previously applied for child care assistance, but may have qualified for it, to apply," Poloncarz said. "We want every family out there to know it exists. You can apply for this assistance in Erie County and we'll provide it and pay for your child care needs. We know there's a lot of needs out there."
Applications for the child care subsidies for parents can be found by clicking here
Child Care subsidies for providers ($4 million)
The funding was not created on a "first come, first serve" basis. Poloncarz said the funding was created to cover all child care providers that Erie County has worked with.
The $4 million will cover all costs associated with operations. This includes protective equipment like masks and gloves and payroll.
"This is to assist them to provide child care for our community," Poloncarz said. "It's not like what we did with school districts or the municipalities where we provide them with a certain amount for PPE purchases for distance learning, this is to provide assistance to them so they can provide as a child care center. What we need now is for these child care centers to open. We can't have them close or for them to shut down because we'll have less opportunity for children to take part in child care. This is for any cost associated with the operation."
Money for the providers will be distributed based on the size of the center. Whyte said it's about $3,500 for family child care centers. Group family centers would receive $5,500 if they have less than 100 children who are in it. Groups with greater than 100 children will receive closer to $7,500.
"It's a formula based on what the advocates put together and we adjusted it in part...based on the number of children who currently attend that center and receive subsidy dollars," Whyte said.
Poloncarz said providers will be able to survive thanks to this money because of the additional assistance.
"Some child care centers have been very busy throughout this crisis and others have been shut down," he said. "So, our goal is to have enough child care for the students and children in our community across the whole county."
Applications for providers can also be found through the county's social services website
Applications are due September 14 and grants will be awarded the following week.