Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Adirondack) joined fellow lawmakers, child-care providers and parents to highlight growing disruptions in New York’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), as counties across the state paused new applications amid funding shortfalls. The mismatch between expanded eligibility and available resources has left families in rural communities particularly vulnerable, where child-care deserts already limit options for working parents.

Expansions to CCAP increased access for more working families, but state funding has not kept pace with demand. As a result, counties have been forced to halt applications and, in some cases, families have experienced mid-year disruptions to care. These interruptions create instability not only for parents but also for providers who rely on consistent enrollment to remain viable.

Rural regions face additional challenges due to persistent child-care deserts, where families may have few, if any, nearby providers. When subsidies become unavailable, parents are often left with no workable alternatives, forcing difficult decisions such as reducing work hours or leaving the workforce entirely.

Simpson emphasized the need for predictable, sustainable allocations that align with eligibility levels and allow counties to plan responsibly while maintaining continuity for families and providers.

“Child-care deserts are a reality in many of our rural communities, and when assistance becomes unavailable, families often have nowhere else to turn,” said Simpson. “I support expanding access, but eligibility levels must be matched with reliable funding so counties aren’t forced to pause applications mid-year. We need predictable, sustainable allocations that give parents certainty, help providers stay open and ensure this program works the way families depend on it.”

Lawmakers and stakeholders called for a more stable funding structure for CCAP, along with policies that support provider growth and long-term affordability. Assembly Minority lawmakers have previously outlined solutions in their “A Blueprint for Childcare (ABC) Plan,” which focuses on improving affordability, expanding access and supporting providers through targeted regulatory reforms and sustainable funding structures.