CM Brewer on child care center closure and reopening timelines
Councilmember Brewer asks about child care center closures and reopening timelines. Martin acknowledges the balance between safety and family disruption, saying they're working to reduce wait times and improve parent communication.
Okay, go for it.
I love Ricky Wong.
That's number one.
I know.
Oh, my God.
You always call out Ricky Wong.
I like them better than I like everybody else.
We won't take it personally.
No.
You got some fans.
My question is just on the child care, and I'm late.
I was with DOT on a walking around for the 72nd Street bike lane.
That was lovely.
My question is, when you close it, you know, for legitimate reasons, a child care center, because of...
Whatever reason, does it depend how long the situation will mandate, I suppose, how long it takes to reopen?
Hopefully they are responsive to the criteria that Department of Health brought to their attention.
But meanwhile, of course, the parents are not able to find other child care, so on.
What's a general time frame?
Could it be sped up?
What are some of the hindrances to reopening up a child care center?
Depending, I know, on the issues.
I understand that.
Yeah, thank you so much for that question, Councilmember.
You know, it's a balance, right?
We're trying to do two things at once.
One is keep kids safe.
And if a child care center is out of compliance, we do need to take action.
And the second is not disrupt the community of families that depend on that center.
And so this is...
sometimes more art than science.
And so, you know, we are aware of the fact that sometimes it does take longer than parents would like.
So we're going to work hard on trying to, again, balance those two, you know, needs and get that wait time to be as short as possible.
Okay.
I mean, that would be helpful.
I think communication with the parents is also helpful.
That would perhaps be improved.
I'm doing it, but I think it would be good for DOH to do it also.
Yeah.
Right.
Thank you.
I hear you.
Yeah.
You got Ricky, so you got no problems.
Sorry.
We've been joined by Councilmember Narcisse as well as Councilmember Brewer.
And I think for round two, quickly, we're going to go.
Councilmember, did you have a question?
No?
Okay.
I think for round two, quickly, we're going to go with Councilmember Wong, followed by Ressler.