Ithaca, NY – Assemblymember Anna Kelles today announced $4.3 million in grants to expand access to affordable quality childcare and to provide support and training for childcare providers in Tompkins County. This funding highlights her commitment to ensuring care for our children during one of the most critical periods of cognitive development in their lives and to supporting families so they do not have to choose between quality care for their children and participating in the workforce.In a celebration at the Coddington Road Community Center, Assemblymember Kelles announced funding for both Coddington Road Community Center and the Child Development Council of Central New York (CDC of CNY).

The event celebrated the Assemblymember’s award of $4.2 million for the Coddington Road Community Center, which will fund its expansion and construction of an entire new building for childcare services, doubling its capacity with an additional 48 permanent childcare spots helping to alleviate the multi-year waiting list for families seeking childcare. The Assemblymember also announced an additional $100,000 to the CDC of CNY, funding which allows the agency to continue its mission to support local childcare agencies. It does this through fellowship peer support programs and training opportunities on critical skills in business development areas such as marketing, finance, best practices in childcare for children with special needs, and management. The CDC is also dedicating the funding to bolster training for staff, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, and developing educational materials for local childcare providers.

According to a recent report from NYS Comptroller DiNapoli, Tompkins County for years had one of the lowest rates of childcare availability in the state. Lack of childcare access is a workforce development issue, as struggling families are often forced to make a choice between childcare or employment. In Tompkins County childcare access is limited, in particular, by limited childcare facilities and spots in each facility.To help address this need, Assemblymember Kelles has prioritized increasing both capital and programming dollars to expand childcare services.

The event showcased the “Building Community at Coddington Expansion Project,” which is currently in the works with the new space expected to open in December 2024. In total, the project will receive $5.3 million from the state and county with $4.2 million coming from the Capital Assistance Program award through Assemblymember Kelles, $700,000 through a grant from the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council, and $400,000 from the Tompkins Community Recovery Fund.

The combined $5.3 million will fund an expansion to include a full-size gymnasium, a commercial kitchen, up to 48 additional childcare spaces for infants and toddlers through age five, up to 20 additional school age spaces, significant improvements for accessibility, energy efficiency, and additional space for community events. The building design was completed by HOLT Architects and Associates, with Edger Enterprises serving as the lead construction firm.

This expansion project means that the center, which has about 340 families on its current waitlist, will be able to expand capacity and lessen wait times for many. For example, the center currently cares for 8 infants in a room and it will be able to add at least one additional group of 8 infants. For toddlers the maximum group size is 12, and an additional group will be added there too, as well as a second group of 16 preschoolers. The center will likely use its final flex space classroom for an additional group of 8 children.

The $100,000 award to the CDC of CNY, which has offices in Cortland and Ithaca, will ensure childcare providers in Tompkins and Cortland counties get the resources and support they need to deliver high quality services. The funds will help train staff, provide childcare referrals and also assist individuals interested in becoming childcare providers, guiding them through the licensure process.

The funding provides assistance in three main areas: Outreach, Roundtables and Resources for the CDC of CNY team, according to the agency's Chief Executive Officer Melissa Perry. With the funds, the Council is able to place radio, bus and Facebook ads and develop an outreach plan to connect with individuals interested in providing childcare. The Council also provides monthly gatherings for childcare providers, offering peer support, resources such as high-quality learning materials and training on Financial Wellness, Community Resources, Neurodivergent Learners and Sensory Activities. Additional resources such as technology updates and enhancements for virtual meetings, training on anti-racism, and website enhancements such as language translations were all funded through this grant.

Coddington Road Community Center Executive Director Heather Mount said: “Building Community at Coddington is the cultivation of a 10-year long vision of the Board of Directors and Executive Director Heather Mount. Our region has had a shortage for many years, being classified as a childcare desert. Expansion will allow us to modernize our facility, increase capacity, address accessibility issues and return to our roots as a community center with expanded programming for the greater community.”

Melissa Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Child Development Council said: “Assemblymember Kelles' investment in the Child Development Council is an investment in childcare. We appreciate the opportunity to enhance our team through training and resources so we are better positioned to work toward building the supply of care and supporting existing childcare programs. Thank you, Assemblymember Kelles!”

Assemblymember Kelles said: “Our childcare providers are the backbone of our communities, providing vital services for Tompkins and Cortland Counties’ working families. These funds will allow the Coddington Road Community Center and the CDC of CNY to continue delivering high quality care to our children at a critical time in their development. They will also enable these agencies to bolster the resources they offer to our childcare providers. I am thrilled to provide $4.3 million and know these incredible agencies will continue to serve our children and families in an exemplary fashion for years to come.”

Tompkins County Legislature Chair Dan Klein said: “Childcare is in short supply here in Tompkins County. Yet it is essential for many families, and also as part of the foundation of a healthy society and economy. We are grateful for Assembly Member Kelles’ support for the Coddington Road Community Center, and for her recognition of the central role of childcare for our community.”

Former Tompkins County Legislature Chair Shawna Black said: “The Tompkins County Legislature is proud to contribute $400,000 through the Community Recovery Fund for expanding childcare at the Coddington Road Community Center.Childcare continues to be one of the biggest struggles families face in our county and I’m thankful we were able to prioritize this funding.Every dollar spent to increase our daycare capacity allows a family to return to the workforce and feel confident their children are receiving quality care.”