Labor & Employment (Children)

This bill expands eligibility for state child care assistance to include families with incomes up to 85% of the state median income, not just those currently receiving public assistance. It allows child care support for parents working, attending school, or transitioning off public assistance, and guarantees 12 to 24 months of care for families who recently lost public assistance due to increased work or income. The bill also requires the state to split its child care block grant between statewide programs for quality improvement and direct assistance to low-income families, with performance standards that could result in withheld funding for agencies that do not meet placement and support goals.

Establishes the regulated child care workforce as a priority population for child care assistance program funds; requires a public education and outreach campaign.

This bill sets a legal limit of 16 cases per foster care worker at any time, directly affecting foster care workers and the children in their care. It modifies New York's Social Services Law to require that no worker supervise more than 16 foster care cases simultaneously. The provision takes effect 60 days after enactment, creating a concrete caseload cap for child welfare staff. This policy change aims to standardize supervision levels without specifying outcomes or advocating for particular results.