Asj Astorin question of the dayWith Westchester County’s budget season in full swing, many Westchester residents have been reaching out to County Executive Robert P. Astorino with questions about the budget and to voice their opinions and concerns.  In an effort to keep Westchester residents informed, the county executive’s forum, “Ask Astorino,” will feature a detailed answer to frequently asked budget questions each day. Today's question deals with the county subsidies for day care.   

Q. Why does the budget call for some parents to contribute more toward their day care subsidies?
A. The budget proposes spending $26 million on day care subsidies, which reaffirms the administration's commitment.

There is no change in day care subsidies for the county's neediest families. All families on Temporary Assistance (those making below the poverty level of $22,350 for a family of four) will continue to receive free day care. The county is mandated to provide this service and has $7.6 million in federal and county funds budgeted for it. If that is not enough, the county must find additional funds.

The debate is over non-mandated day care, on which the county plans to spend nearly $2 million above and beyond available federal funds for an estimated total of $18.5 million. This assistance is not being eliminated; the question is how best to distribute the amount.

Non-mandated day care is for families, whose income is above the poverty line by as much as 175 percent. These families pay a portion of the day care based on the amount of their income that is over the poverty level.

To stretch the reach of these non-mandated day care subsidies, the administration has proposed increasing the parental share from 15 percent to 35 percent, which is nearly the same as the 33 percent Westchester parents paid in 2006 and the same amount paid by parents in New York City and many other New York counties.

Critics would like to keep the parental share at 15 percent. But doing so means fewer families can be served. By increasing the parental share by $5.77 a day for a typical family, an additional 622 children could be served. The administration believes this is a much more equitable approach. It is also important to note that parents only pay for their first child in day care – all their other children are free.

More Frequently Asked Questions are available on the budget section of the Web site, including the proposed budget and an explanatin of the budget process.

Check out the Budget Fact Sheet, a summary of County Executive Rob Astorino’s 2012 Proposed Budget.  This is a great tool to stay informed and to share with your family, friends and neighbors.

More information on the most recent Ask Astorino event, the Tele-Town Hall meeting is available.

Have your own question or concern? Contact County Executive Robert P. Astorino directly at: .