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County programs helping children featured on County podcast, “Westchester Explained”
Westchester County continues to make significant investments in childcare, ensuring working families have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality care while strengthening the local workforce and economy. Westchester County Operations Director Emily Saltzman joined the County’s podcast Westchester Explained to explain both the County's Childcare Assistance Program and the Childcare Scholarship Program. Through a combination of direct financial assistance, scholarship opportunities, partnerships with community organizations, and investments in after-school programming, the County supports children and families each year.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said: "Every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow, and every parent deserves the opportunity to work knowing their children are receiving quality care. Westchester County is committed to making childcare more affordable and accessible because when we invest in children, we invest in stronger families, a stronger workforce and a stronger Westchester."
The two programs:
- The County's Childcare Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible working families, helping cover the cost of childcare for children while parents work, attend school, or participate in approved training programs. The program currently supports nearly 5,000 childcare slots for eligible families, most paying less than $50 dollars a month, with funding provided through federal and state resources alongside the County's local investment.
- Recognizing that many working families earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance but still struggle with the high cost of childcare, Westchester County also created its Childcare Scholarship Program. Funded entirely through the County Tax Levy, the innovative program assists families with household incomes between 300% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, helping bridge the gap for middle-income families. The success of the program recently earned recognition from New York State, which included funding for the initiative in the 2026-2027 State Budget.
Saltzman said: "Childcare should never be the reason a parent has to leave the workforce or turn down an opportunity. Our scholarship program reflects Westchester's commitment to supporting working families who often fall outside traditional assistance programs but still face significant financial challenges."
Beyond direct childcare assistance, Westchester County continues to invest in services that support children and families across every community. Each year, the County's Youth Bureau also invests approximately $3.1 million dollars in 63 nonprofit programs that provide after-school activities, mentoring, academic support, recreation, and positive youth development opportunities for children ages five and older.
Families interested in learning more about childcare assistance, scholarship opportunities, or available childcare providers can visit the Westchester County Department of Social Services or the Child Care Council of Westchester https://childcarewestchester.org/ for additional information.
