Funding covers support for childcare at CUNY colleges throughout the five boroughs

New York, NY – New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson joined Higher Education Committee Chair Inez Barron today to announce the New York City Council’s $600,000 investment for the CUNY Childcare Initiative, which was created to address the needs of 1,500 children and 1,461 student-parents juggling parenthood and continuing their education. The Council’s allocation will support the student-parents at 18 colleges located throughout the five boroughs, including five community colleges, two honors and professional schools and 11 senior colleges.

With this funding, the 18 CUNY schools’ childcare centers will provide infant/toddler programming, academic and Smartboard tutoring, and extended hours and expansive weekend programs that would serve over 1,500 children whose parents are CUNY students.

The services provided at CUNY childcare centers help support student-parents’ retention and graduation, which is a priority of the Council. The CUNY Childcare Initiative was created during the Fiscal Year 2019 budget process by Speaker Johnson and the Council’s finance leadership team in recognition of the importance of supporting parents of all ages who wish to further their education. CUNY begins its fall semester on Monday, Aug. 27, and these expanded services will be available for parents who need them.

“Being a parent is the hardest job in the world, but we know being a college student is pretty tough as well. Needless to say, juggling both can feel impossible, which is why the Council created this initiative for parents. We know you need help, and we are here to help. Parents can focus on their studies knowing that their child is being cared for in a safe environment that promotes learning for the next generation of CUNY students. I thank Higher Education Committee Chair Inez Barron and Finance Committee Chair Daniel Dromm for their dedication and commitment to CUNY students and their children,” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

“Our CUNY students are under a lot of stress because they have to cover tuition, textbooks, rent, food, child care and other basic necessities. Supporting our CUNY student parents by covering child care helps alleviate this burden and allows them to focus more on their academic studies. As a proud graduate of Hunter College, I know the importance of receiving and achieving a degree. Anytime the City allocate funds to support CUNY students, is an acknowledgement that we value them and want to ensure their success. I thank Speaker Corey Johnson, Council Member Daniel Dromm, Chair of the Committee on Finance, members of the Committee on Higher Education and my colleagues for recognizing the importance of financing this initiative,” said Council Member Inez Barron, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Higher Education.

“This support by the New York City Council to fund the CUNY Childcare Initiative will help student-parents throughout the University fulfill their dream of earning a degree. Many of our students have to balance their studies with work as well as family obligations. The CUNY Childcare Initiative helps them achieve this goal by providing the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children are being cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. As the members of the City Council well know, the benefits of investing in CUNY are reaped throughout the city and state. I thank the New York City Council, particularly Speaker Corey Johnson, Higher Education Committee Chair Inez Barron and Finance Committee Chair Daniel Dromm for their work on this important initiative,” said CUNY Interim Chancellor Vita C. Rabinowitz.

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