With an increasing number of CUNY students who are also parents, Public Advocate Letitia James, this week called on the city to triple its contribution towards CUNY child care from $500,000 to $1.53 million.
According to a report James’ office put out, the city’s funding has remained the same since 1980. However, over the past 35 years, the demand for child care services has increased alongside the cost of providing these services.
At Brooklyn’s Kingsborough Community College, for example, nine percent of students have children under the age of five who need child care. However, the college recently lost a federal grant, which will result in the subsequent loss of many child care slots.
While Kingsborough Community College Vice President of Student Affairs Peter M. Cohen did not return calls for comment at post time, James said the situation is reaching critical proportions.
“No parent should have to choose between their family and going to school or work,” said James. “But, unfortunately, the staggering costs of child care keep too many New Yorkers trapped in poverty. The City must increase funding to CUNY child care centers to ensure that families have the opportunity to get ahead in an economy that increasingly requires higher education.”
The report recommends the additional money be allocated to increase the number of child care slots, increase the pay and benefits for child care staff, and increases data collection, research and outreach efforts.
The child care centers are funded through a combination of federal, state, and city funds. The state contributes $2.7 million.
Over the last four years, the State’s Child Care and Development Block Grant to CUNY was reduced from $1.4 million to $141,000.16. To avoid raising costs to detrimental levels, CUNY has begun charging student parents between $5 to $25 for a full day, with centers open around 13 hours per day.
A 2014 survey of all CUNY campus child care centers found that 91 percent of student parents said it would be “difficult” or “very difficult” to attend school without campus child care. According to James’ report, titled “Relieving the ‘Third Shift’: The Case for Expanding Child Care at CUNY Community Colleges,” students with children face an increased risk of dropping out and having to postpone their graduation, all while accumulating a high debt.
“The report powerfully affirms the importance of child care services and support for college students with children across New York City,” said Frank Sanchez, CUNY Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “We commend Public Advocate Letitia James on this important policy brief.”
