Council Member Restler Raises Concerns Over OCFS Work Hour Regulations

Last question.

Um, if you want to respond to that, you're welcome.

Anything you want to add?

We know your recommendation.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

I I'm not shy.

Um, last thing, I am uh deeply disturbed by one policy that didn't make it into the state budget, which has to do with OCFS's policy around uh uh hours that parents work um and access to childcare vouchers.

Basically, OCFS has regulations that require parents to that that only allow for a child to have a voucher during the precise hours that a parent is working.

So if a parent works nights, then they don't get a daytime child care voucher.

If a parent works Mondays and Tuesdays, then the kid can only go into the child care center Mondays and Tuesdays.

If this policy is going to be imposed on the city, it would be profoundly disruptive.

It would lead to child center closures.

Because how can a hundred how can a child care center that has a hundred kids have a different policy of what hours every hundred kid is coming in?

Um you can't hire teachers that way.

We will see enormous, enormous disruptions to our child care system.

I am hopeful that that that the governor is able to guide her agency to do the right thing and that OCFS no longer um OCFS sees that this would be a disastrous policy for New York City child care.

Um do you have any updates on your conversations on this?

Uh is OCFS giving any indication to you that they're recognize how harmful and disruptive a policy this would be.

First I'll say you know, but for the good of all, you know that ACS has been advocating.

Yes, no, no, no, I'm not criticizing you.

I'm not sure.

No, I just I just want what you guys have been great understanding.

I'll say that on the right position of the agency and the position of this administration, which is that we agree that this would be bad for providers, bad for families, bad for child development.

Um we have been um advocating at the OCFS level and having conversations there.

The administration has been speaking with chamber about this.

I don't have any updates, but we are holding on to the same hope that you are that there is a pathway so that we can ensure that families who are juggling more than just their work schedule, as we know, um have the opportunity to have the case for the action.

I think four or five working days left in session.

Um, whether we pass the heavy C Brisbard bill again, which is one way to fix this, or OCFS changes its regulations, which is another way to fix this, we just need it fixed because the families in New York City.

Sorry, I'm done.

Thank you.

Bye.