Jenkins, county officials hear calls to maintain childcare funding

Michael Romia, CEO of the Westchester County Association, right, was one of more than two dozen speakers at Tuesday’s public forum for County Executive Ken Jenkins, seated center of table, and members of his staff as the time to release the 2026 proposed budget approaches. MARTIN WILBUR PHOTO

By MARTIN WILBUR

Representatives of child care agencies and numerous nonprofit organizations urged County Executive Ken Jenkins and members of his executive staff to at least maintain current funding levels to deliver essential services despite threatened federal cutbacks.

Leaders of child care centers throughout Westchester highlighted the likelihood of hardship to thousands of families across the county if the Westchester Works scholarship program is reduced in the 2026 budget. This year $3.3 million was dedicated toward the scholarships, which defrays various percentages of the tuition cost for working families based on their household income.

The public comments were provided Tuesday afternoon during a listening session for Jenkins and his administration at the Mount Kisco Public Library in advance of the release of his proposed 2026 capital budget within the next week. The proposed county operating budget is typically released in November.

Howard Milbert, the longtime director of the Ossining Children’s Center, said the costs for a family can run $30,000 a year for one child and about $55,000 annually for a family with two children in day care. Without the funds to help, even more families would either not be able to send their kids to day care or preschool programs or have only one parent in the workforce, which few households can afford.

“Without this support, very simply, they would not be able to stay,” Milbert said. “The growing need for a scholarship shows how vital it is. Usage has increased significantly, and there are still families wanting. There are many that are doing everything right, they just need a little help.”

Parent Elizabeth Batista, a teacher that sends her daughter to the Mount Kisco Child Care Center, said funding was already reduced this year and needs to be held at the same level, if not bolstered. For many families like hers, finding a center that provides quality care would be out of reach without the assistance, Batista said.

“This situation highlights how precarious it can be for families who rely on this support,” she said. “This scholarship is not just financial assistance; it is essential for working families and the well-being of our children.”

Jenkins said that the money for Westchester Works, which he helped create in 2007 when serving on the Board of Legislators, was maintained at $3.3 million for 2025. However, the need for help has escalated so much that there were reductions in the scholarship awards across the board. The smallest cuts for those under 100% of the federal poverty level and the largest for those at the upper end who qualified for help, Jenkins noted.

Mount Kisco Child Care Center Director Dawn Mayerski said the program provides “essential money for hardworking Westchester residents that are barely surviving.”

Educator Christian McCourtney, a member of the Westchester Child Care Council of Westchester, said studies have shown that children benefit educationally and socially when they get to school by having quality child care. It also helps the community. A 2024 Cornell study concluded that every $1 billion in child care investments generates between $1.8 and $1.9 billion in economic activity, he said.

“So we know that this affects on a small scale and a large scale, and will certainly improve our local economy just by providing Westchester Works,” McCourtney said.

While the greatest number of comments centered on child care, there were concerns voiced by other organizations, including the arts, museums and various nonprofits.

Shatae Artis of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester in Mount Kisco called on the county for funding for an effort that integrates youth development funding with mental wellness. There is a full time and a part-time clinician on staff at the club, which is able to offer individual and group therapy sessions that are part of its programming.

Meanwhile, Michael Romita, the CEO of the Westchester County Association, a leading business group, asked county officials to focus on policies that concentrate on economic growth, investing in the regional housing supply, climate resiliency, clean energy technology and infrastructure.

“Infrastructure is a proven way to retain and attract top-flight businesses and support our small businesses,” Romita said.

Jenkins said after the public forum ended that the budget uncertainty in Washington, D.C., and a projected $7 billion state budget gap in Albany will make this a challenging budget season.

“All of that uncertainty is leading to us consolidating and saying here’s the work that we have to do,” Jenkins said. “The child care scholarships, am I going to put back the same amount of money? Probably, but then how is that money going to cover the people in the program right now?” 

Dates of two November public hearings, one in lower Westchester and another in northern Westchester will be announced after Jenkins releases his proposed spending plan. The final hearing will be Dec. 3 in White Plains.

Martin Wilbur has more than 30 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including having previously served as editor-in-chief of The Examiner.