Scholarships offered to children of essential workers

Children of essential workers will be able to get tuition scholarships to attend child care facilities, thanks to federal funds that cover child care.

The state has allocated $30 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) to cover the cost of child care services delivered by eligible providers.

To qualify, parents’ income level must be less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level or $78,600 for a family of four. Child care costs will be paid up to market rate for each region statewide.

Government-designated essential workers include first responders such as healthcare providers, pharmaceutical staff, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, as well as food delivery workers, grocery store employees, and others needed to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center, located at 655 Montauk Highway  in East Patchogue, is one of several facilities that is offering the tuition scholarships, according to a statement from its owner, the nonprofit Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk.

“The Suffolk County community applauds the heroism of the working people fighting on the front lines of this pandemic,” Adrian Fassett, CEO of the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, said in the statement. “Many of these courageous individuals are parents. Now, thanks to federal-state cooperation, these parents can enroll their children in our first-rate Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center in East Patchogue at no cost.”

Locally, the scholarship program is being administered by the Child Care Council of Suffolk in cooperation with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.