Johnson City, NY – A new program launched Monday will help increase the number of family child care providers in Broome County. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo joined Family Enrichment Network to announce details of Growing Child Care, a pilot program that aims to create nearly 60 additional child care slots throughout the county. The program is being supported through a $20,000 grant secured by Lupardo.

            “This pilot program will show that with a small investment, additional child care slots can be created by expanding family based child care,” said Assemblywoman Lupardo. “The ultimate goal is to strengthen our entire child care system, including center based and family child care options. While growing new child care slots, this program will also grow new businesses which is a win-win for everyone.”

            “The Growing Child Care program will help remove barriers to success that many providers are currently dealing with,” said Jennifer Perney, Director of Child Care Resource & Referrals for Family Enrichment Network. “This will allow these providers to take on additional slots in their businesses and in turn help families that cannot advance their own careers because of a lack of options.”

            In-home child care is a common resource for many parents and guardians in Broome County. This type of care is offered through legally-exempt providers, which can care for up to two children at a time; and registered providers, which can care for a maximum of eight children. The Growing Child Care program will help legally-exempt become registered.

            Currently there are barriers for many who wish to make this transition. In order to become a registered provider, New York State requires health and safety training, CPR/First Aid training, as well as inspections of in-home facilities. The cost of the training and certain home repairs, both of which have prevented many legally-exempt providers from making the change, will be covered by the Growing Child Care program.