State reports examines afterschool care landscape

New York has a long way to go and potentially billions to spend before it can realize universal access to afterschool programming, according to an overdue report from the Hochul administration.

An analysis from the State Office of Children & Family Services that was shared with the Capitol Pressroom estimates that New York has the capacity for about half a million afterschool slots, which leaves a potential gap of as many as 1.15 million that would need to be filled to realize universal access during the academic year. Achieving universal afterschool care could cost north of $11 billion annually or as little as $1.67 billion per year, according to the report.

The entire report is available below.

New York State OCFS Commissioner Commissioner DaMia Harris-Madden told The Capitol Pressroom that the report is going to be helpful in determining next steps in the expansion of afterschool programming, but stressed that they didn’t compile a roadmap. She discussed the various forms that afterschool programming can take as well as the variables involved in expanding care to kids between ages six and 12.

A conversation with the commissioner about the report is available below.

The Hochul administration was required to produce the report as part of statutory language pushed by State Sen. Zellnor Myrie. It was supposed to be completed in time for consideration for this year’s budget process, but it wasn’t released until after the late state budget was adopted.

As state policymakers pursue universal child care in New York, afterschool programming is expected to be a critical part of the overall continuum of care.

After School Landscape Report by Capitol Pressroom