Empire State Campaign for Child Care
@empirestateccc.bsky.social
Working together to achieve universal child care that works for every child, family, and child care educator in New York State.
https://empirestatechildcare.org/
https://empirestatechildcare.org/
Pinned
Support the Child Care Workforce: Raise Your Voice for Fair Compensation
YouTube video by EMPIRE STATE CAMPAIGN FOR CHILD CARE
www.youtube.com
We are so proud to share our latest video that highlights the work of early childhood educators in New York State, and the need for just compensation. Check it out, and join us in the fight!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm4w...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm4w...
"Without investing in early childhood education teachers, expanded child care access will strain an already-fragile system...Teachers are the heart and soul of child care...Yet our current system fails to value them accordingly."
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
Commentary: Expanding child care access won't work unless we add more child care teachers
Without an investment in early childhood education teachers, expanded child care access will strain an already-fragile system.
www.timesunion.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:10 PM
"Without investing in early childhood education teachers, expanded child care access will strain an already-fragile system...Teachers are the heart and soul of child care...Yet our current system fails to value them accordingly."
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
www.timesunion.com/opinion/arti...
Thousands of children and families are on the waiting list for child care assistance. ESCCC campaign leaders Pete, Danielle, and Lauren spoke to Gothamist about this urgent issue that needs the city and state's attention.
gothamist.com/news/univers...
gothamist.com/news/univers...
Universal child care may be coming to NYC, but 16,000 kids are stuck waiting for aid
Families say they’re cutting down their work hours or scraping money together to afford child care without the subsidies.
gothamist.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Thousands of children and families are on the waiting list for child care assistance. ESCCC campaign leaders Pete, Danielle, and Lauren spoke to Gothamist about this urgent issue that needs the city and state's attention.
gothamist.com/news/univers...
gothamist.com/news/univers...
“We’re going to need to grow the child care workforce, and to recruit and retain the child care workforce for the long haul, we’re going to need to raise wages,” said Shoshana Hershkowitz, campaign manager for the Empire State Campaign for Child Care.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Report: Child care workers make less than retail salesclerks
Advocates and providers say the salary for child care workers is less than a livable wage.
spectrumlocalnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:53 PM
“We’re going to need to grow the child care workforce, and to recruit and retain the child care workforce for the long haul, we’re going to need to raise wages,” said Shoshana Hershkowitz, campaign manager for the Empire State Campaign for Child Care.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Grateful to our partners in the state legislature who are speaking up to advocate for compensation for the child care workforce as an essential component for realizing the vision of universal child care in New York State!
nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-pol...
nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-pol...
Key lawmakers want workforce funding in child care plan
Workforce funding has been a long-term issue for which advocates have sought a permanent solution well before the Mamdani era.
nystateofpolitics.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Grateful to our partners in the state legislature who are speaking up to advocate for compensation for the child care workforce as an essential component for realizing the vision of universal child care in New York State!
nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-pol...
nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-pol...
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Albany on Tuesday! Despite the winter storm, over 400 of us from all over the state called on our leaders to deliver a child care system that works for every family and pays early childhood educators the thriving wages they deserve.
January 29, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Albany on Tuesday! Despite the winter storm, over 400 of us from all over the state called on our leaders to deliver a child care system that works for every family and pays early childhood educators the thriving wages they deserve.
A snowstorm couldn't stop our coalition from showing up to call for a universal child care system that meets the needs of every family and pays early childhood educators the thriving wages they deserve!
January 28, 2026 at 1:34 PM
A snowstorm couldn't stop our coalition from showing up to call for a universal child care system that meets the needs of every family and pays early childhood educators the thriving wages they deserve!
We're gearing up for Advocacy Day 2026 this Tuesday in Albany! Check out last year's event, with an appearance from then Assemblymember and now @mayor.nyc.gov!
youtu.be/XeZGWyipPHA?...
youtu.be/XeZGWyipPHA?...
2025 Empire State Campaign for Child Care Advocacy Day
YouTube video by EMPIRE STATE CAMPAIGN FOR CHILD CARE
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 4:13 PM
We're gearing up for Advocacy Day 2026 this Tuesday in Albany! Check out last year's event, with an appearance from then Assemblymember and now @mayor.nyc.gov!
youtu.be/XeZGWyipPHA?...
youtu.be/XeZGWyipPHA?...
Our campaign leaders have been busy today! Campaign manager Shoshana spoke on a panel with VoteRunLead
this morning and Steering Committee member and ECEONTHEMOVE leader Doris joined New York Focus for their child care panel!
this morning and Steering Committee member and ECEONTHEMOVE leader Doris joined New York Focus for their child care panel!
January 22, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Our campaign leaders have been busy today! Campaign manager Shoshana spoke on a panel with VoteRunLead
this morning and Steering Committee member and ECEONTHEMOVE leader Doris joined New York Focus for their child care panel!
this morning and Steering Committee member and ECEONTHEMOVE leader Doris joined New York Focus for their child care panel!
Powerful op ed from ESCCC Steering Committee member Gladys Jones in NY Daily News. Gladys is the co-founder of ECEONTHEMOVE.
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/17/b...
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/17/b...
Build universal child care as Mamdani vowed to do
Luisa wakes up before the sun rises in the Bronx. She’s checking the day’s schedule: an infant arriving at 6 a.m., a toddler who will stay until 7:30 p.m., a preschooler whose mother picks him up a…
www.nydailynews.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Powerful op ed from ESCCC Steering Committee member Gladys Jones in NY Daily News. Gladys is the co-founder of ECEONTHEMOVE.
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/17/b...
www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/17/b...
ESCCC Steering Committee leader Janna has a great op ed in the LI Herald! Check it out.
t.co/qxqm3ZNkfC
t.co/qxqm3ZNkfC
https://www.liherald.com/stories/child-care-rule-rollback,219789
t.co
January 19, 2026 at 8:09 PM
ESCCC Steering Committee leader Janna has a great op ed in the LI Herald! Check it out.
t.co/qxqm3ZNkfC
t.co/qxqm3ZNkfC
On this #MLKDay, let us remember that every child deserves to be safe and cared for. Let us also remember that we are all deserving of the dignity of a living wage and the conditions to thrive.
January 19, 2026 at 8:01 PM
On this #MLKDay, let us remember that every child deserves to be safe and cared for. Let us also remember that we are all deserving of the dignity of a living wage and the conditions to thrive.
Watching the #StateOfTheState, and excited to see child care front and center in @governor.ny.gov 's affordability agenda! Let's get universal child care done, New York!
January 13, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Watching the #StateOfTheState, and excited to see child care front and center in @governor.ny.gov 's affordability agenda! Let's get universal child care done, New York!
Empire State Campaign for Child Care leaders Dede Hill and Shoshana Hershkowitz spoke with North Country Public Radio's Amy Feiereisel about Governor Hochul's proposal to expand child care in New York State.
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
What Hochul and Mamdani's childcare vision would look like in Northern NY
Expanded access to the Pre-K and more funding for child care subsidies would have the biggest impact.
www.northcountrypublicradio.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Empire State Campaign for Child Care leaders Dede Hill and Shoshana Hershkowitz spoke with North Country Public Radio's Amy Feiereisel about Governor Hochul's proposal to expand child care in New York State.
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
ESCCC Campaign Leader Dede Hill speaking on the threats the federal freeze on child care funds to NY pose to our state's children and families.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
Child care takes center stage in Albany amid talk of freeze
As the legislative session kicks off and all focus in Albany turns to the state budget, discussions around funding streams for child care will become unavoidable.
spectrumlocalnews.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:18 PM
ESCCC Campaign Leader Dede Hill speaking on the threats the federal freeze on child care funds to NY pose to our state's children and families.
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...
We're thrilled to be here to share in the good news that child care will be more accessible to so many more families in New York State. We are especially pleased about the expanded funding for the Child Care Assistance Program, which so many families rely on. Let's get this done!
January 8, 2026 at 6:19 PM
We're thrilled to be here to share in the good news that child care will be more accessible to so many more families in New York State. We are especially pleased about the expanded funding for the Child Care Assistance Program, which so many families rely on. Let's get this done!
ESCCC leader Alicia discusses the harmful impact of these cuts on the families her center serves in this article in today's @newsday.bsky.social.
The state must fill the gaps created by the federal government and ensure care for low income families and providers.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The state must fill the gaps created by the federal government and ensure care for low income families and providers.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Trump administration freezes NYS child care, social services funding over fraud claims
New York Democratic officials criticized the news, and child care providers feared the move could have devastating consequences for families and children.
www.newsday.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:49 PM
ESCCC leader Alicia discusses the harmful impact of these cuts on the families her center serves in this article in today's @newsday.bsky.social.
The state must fill the gaps created by the federal government and ensure care for low income families and providers.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
The state must fill the gaps created by the federal government and ensure care for low income families and providers.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Thank you to North Country Public Radio for their reporting on our efforts to make universal child care a reality in New York State!
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
Could New York State actually adopt a universal childcare model?
Political will is strong, and advocacy groups are laying out roadmaps...but the price tag is still daunting.
www.northcountrypublicradio.org
January 6, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Thank you to North Country Public Radio for their reporting on our efforts to make universal child care a reality in New York State!
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/5...
“We have a moment of opportunity,” said Shoshana Hershkowitz, who manages the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, an advocacy coalition. “People can’t afford to stay here. If you want to keep young families here, you have to address child care.”
www.wxxinews.org/new-york-pub...
www.wxxinews.org/new-york-pub...
Albany’s full plate: taxes, immigration (and maybe more wine)
New York state lawmakers face numerous issues when returning to Capitol on Wednesday.
www.wxxinews.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:57 PM
“We have a moment of opportunity,” said Shoshana Hershkowitz, who manages the Empire State Campaign for Child Care, an advocacy coalition. “People can’t afford to stay here. If you want to keep young families here, you have to address child care.”
www.wxxinews.org/new-york-pub...
www.wxxinews.org/new-york-pub...
We are ready to get this done in 2026!
"The Empire State Campaign for Child Care released a report that envisions a six-year rollout to achieve full universal child care, starting with investments in next year’s budget."
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
"The Empire State Campaign for Child Care released a report that envisions a six-year rollout to achieve full universal child care, starting with investments in next year’s budget."
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
What will be the biggest 2026 policy fights in Albany?
Raising taxes and enacting the Mamdani agenda are likely to be major points of conflict.
www.cityandstateny.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:00 PM
We are ready to get this done in 2026!
"The Empire State Campaign for Child Care released a report that envisions a six-year rollout to achieve full universal child care, starting with investments in next year’s budget."
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
"The Empire State Campaign for Child Care released a report that envisions a six-year rollout to achieve full universal child care, starting with investments in next year’s budget."
www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...
This holiday season, we at the Empire State Campaign for Child Care wish for a child care system that works for every New Yorker. And we're ready to make it happen in 2026! Check out campaign leader Marina's holiday wish!
December 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This holiday season, we at the Empire State Campaign for Child Care wish for a child care system that works for every New Yorker. And we're ready to make it happen in 2026! Check out campaign leader Marina's holiday wish!
This holiday season, we at the Empire State Campaign for Child Care wish for a child care system that works for every New Yorker. And we're ready to make it happen in 2026! Check out campaign leader Dede's holiday wish!
December 24, 2025 at 10:39 PM
This holiday season, we at the Empire State Campaign for Child Care wish for a child care system that works for every New Yorker. And we're ready to make it happen in 2026! Check out campaign leader Dede's holiday wish!
This report from our partners at @childrensagenda.bsky.social makes it clear: New Yorkers want universal child care, and they want it now.
Thank you @madinatoure.bsky.social & @politico.com for sharing what NY voters want to see state leaders like @governor.ny.gov addressing in 2026. There's a lot more common ground than partisan division in what families need to succeed. thechildrensagenda.org/2025/12/19/p...
Politico: Voters back increased child care spending and other policies to boost families, poll finds
Accessible child care, universal prekindergarten and reducing child poverty drew bipartisan support among voters statewide.
thechildrensagenda.org
December 22, 2025 at 4:17 PM
This report from our partners at @childrensagenda.bsky.social makes it clear: New Yorkers want universal child care, and they want it now.
"The @empirestateccc.bsky.social , joined by more than 140 organizations around the state, sent a letter to @governor.ny.gov calling on the governor to enact their statewide roadmap to universal child care, New York State Child Care For All."
www.adirondackexplorer.org/adirondacks-...
www.adirondackexplorer.org/adirondacks-...
Coalition calls on Gov. Hochul to enact NYS child care for all - Adirondack Almanack
A statewide coalition of New York organizations calls for Gov. Hochul to enact their plan for universal child care.
www.adirondackexplorer.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:27 PM
"The @empirestateccc.bsky.social , joined by more than 140 organizations around the state, sent a letter to @governor.ny.gov calling on the governor to enact their statewide roadmap to universal child care, New York State Child Care For All."
www.adirondackexplorer.org/adirondacks-...
www.adirondackexplorer.org/adirondacks-...