Applications are open for $500 million from the FY 2024 Budget to bolster New York’s childcare workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant Program. Funding will support approximately 150,000 direct childcare staff through financial incentives ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 in retention and referral bonuses for existing staff as well as sign-on bonuses for new staff.
The FY 2024 Budget created the Workforce Retention Grant Program, which will make $500 million in underutilized federal funds available as grants for eligible childcare programs. Funding can be used for staff retention bonuses and recruitment activities, including expenses related to recruiting and hiring new staff and employer taxes incurred while issuing bonus payments or recruitment expenses.
“As a mother who put her career on pause due to a lack of affordable child care, I understand first-hand how much not having access to these services can affect a family,” Governor Hochul said. “Through the Workforce Retention Grant Program, we can help grow and support our childcare workforce as we continue working to expand access to this essential service for families across our state.”
Eligible child care programs include school-age child care programs, daycare centers, family day care homes, group family day care programs, small day care centers and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-permitted Article 47 group centers. Staff eligible for retention and referral bonuses must be employed at the program’s physical location, have an active, direct child caring role, have worked a minimum number of hours per week from January 1, 2023, and June 26, 2023, and have a completed background check on or before June 26, 2023.
