When Promises Aren’t Funded, Communities Pay the Price

Allegany County Legislator addresses the child care funding crisis

By Gretchen Hanchett, District 2

In Allegany County, we believe in showing up for our neighbors. Whether it’s supporting families with child care or ensuring access to health care, we do our part. But when New York State expands programs without expanding funding, it’s our local taxpayers who are left holding the bill.

Now take a look at childcare. The state raised income eligibility mid-year for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which should have helped more families. But they didn’t increase funding. Now 21 counties and growing, like ours, had to freeze enrollment and recertifications for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Families are being told they must pay hundreds more per month or withdraw their children from care. Several providers have already had to deliver that devastating news.

Daycares are caught in the middle, losing families who can’t afford the sudden cost increase, while still needing consistent tuition to stay afloat.

Childcare is not just for development, but for survival. These recent state budget decisions are more than a fiscal oversight. They are a direct hit to the heart and economic stability of our communities.

Allegany’s allocation rose from $318K in 2020 to $1,149,540.00 in 2025 but demand has far outpaced resources. This is a major increase over 5 years, but when New York State expands programs without expanding funding” this created massive shortfalls in local budgets. Families who were newly eligible are now being turned away. The state didn’t think this through!

This isn’t just a local issue. It’s a symptom of a statewide failure to fund child care adequately. Despite rising costs and expanded eligibility, the 2025–26 New York State budget did not increase funding for CCAP.

The emotional and economic toll is enormous, especially for working parents who relied on these subsidies to maintain stability. We are watching families forced to choose between employment and care, and providers pushed to the brink.

Without guarantee funding for FFY 25-26, and with no rollover and no reallocation of 50M, Allegany County cannot open cases and recertify cases due to lack of funding on a 12-month certification period. 

Without a guarantee that we will have funding that can carry the program in FFY 25-26. We cannot go into the new year knowing that we will have a shortfall of approximately 400K. This budget decision has created massive shortfalls in local county budgets. 

One Allegany County, one mother told us:  

“We qualified for help, but there was no provider left to take us. I had to leave my job to care for my child.” 

This adds additional burdens and impact to the stability and economic impact of our communities. These are real families. Real consequences. And real costs passed down to our families. 

What We are Asking!

Counties and local taxpayers cannot continue to absorb the cost of promises made in Albany. It’s time for a true partnership—one that respects local capacity and delivers on commitments.

Take Action

Please contact Governor Hochul’s office and ask for immediate reform to this broken system!!