Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) recently introduced bill A.10520 to address ongoing child care funding shortages by ensuring assistance is directed to the families who need it most.

The state-administered Child Care Assistance program (CCAP) is structured on a first-come, first-served basis. New Yorkers apply through their home counties to secure funding assistance, but due to funding shortages and the program's structure, some of the neediest families could be left without assistance if they apply after funding has dried up. Across New York, child care providers are facing growing demand and limited resources, and Maher contends that better program administration is needed to address year-round needs properly.

Despite an additional $413 million included in the FY2026 budget, funding has remained insufficient. By late 2025, more than half of the state’s social services districts—including New York City and many upstate counties—were forced to stop accepting new applications for child care assistance.

This legislation is restructuring the program, allowing for an emergency eligibility standard to ensure that the neediest families receive child care assistance.

“This is about fixing a broken system,” said Meghan Hurlburt, chief of staff. “When child care funding runs out, it shouldn’t be first-come, first-served. This bill gives local districts the ability to prioritize the families who need help the most and ensures limited resources are used fairly and responsibly.”

Under the legislation, eligibility thresholds would be gradually adjusted based on available funding, ensuring a structured and transparent process for maintaining access to care for lower-income households.

Maher’s proposal is designed as a practical, immediate solution to stabilize the Child Care Assistance Program and prevent the most vulnerable families from losing access to critical services.

“This is about fairness and responsibility,” Hurlburt added. “We have an obligation to make sure limited resources are distributed in a way that supports working individuals who rely on child care to stay employed and provide for their children.”

The bill reflects ongoing efforts to address the growing strain on New York’s child care system while providing local districts with the tools they need to respond effectively to funding challenges.