Robert Cordero testifies on provider sustainability and recommendations

Good afternoon, Chair Gutierrez and members of the subcommittee.

Thank you for this opportunity to testify on 2K implementation.

My name is Robert Cordero.

I'm the chief executive

Officer of Grand Street Settlement, a 110-year-old community-based nonprofit serving over 20,000 children, families, older adults, and communities.

We currently serve 1,461 preschoolers across the Lower East Side, Brooklyn, and the Bronx with 14...

With 50 plus family child care providers in our network.

Grand Street supports the city's goal of expanding access to affordable child care through 2K.

But as we move from vision to implementation, we need to make sure that we are building a sustainable child care system, not simply adding seats.

Every child care seat requires a qualified educator, adequate operating funding, appropriate space, and a provider with the capacity and community relationships to deliver high-quality care.

Grand Street has three clear recommendations today.

First, invest in the workforce, as you've been discussing.

That means competitive wages, compensation parity, retention, tuition-free education, apprenticeships, fellowships, and career pathways that help build the early childhood workforce New York City will need.

Second, fund the true cost of care and pay providers on time.

Providers cannot sustainably expand while managing inadequate reimbursement, delayed payments, and operating costs that continue to rise.

Third, build 2K through New York City's existing community-based early childhood system.

Qualified community-based organizations and family child care providers should be central to the expansion,

along with the capital and facilities investments necessary to create new capacity without destabilizing the existing system.

We have full detailed recommendations for the council record.

Thank you.

And I want to personally thank Councilmember Brewer for coming to Ballet Spineco.

She saw my children perform without knowing it.

She was across the room.

And thank you for investing in another great organization.

Thank you.

Now everybody knows that all you have to do is invite Gail Brewer.

If it's in Manhattan, she will make it.

I said if it's in Manhattan, she'll make it.

I wasn't making empty promises.

I'm just promising.