Dear Friend of EOC of Suffolk:
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m happy to inform you that the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk is now able to respond in a new and valuable way. We now have a special opportunity to assist many of our community’s heroic first responders and essential workers.
To ease the financial burdens pressing upon the families of these essential workers, and to help keep these courageous employees on the job, qualified parents may now obtain tuition scholarships to send their children to our Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center, located at 655 Montauk Highway in the Swann Nursery Commons in East Patchogue.
Under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, the State of New York allocated $30 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) to cover child care costs delivered by eligible providers like Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center. To qualify, parents’ income level must be less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level – or $78,600 for a family of four. Child care costs will be paid up to market rate for each region statewide. The list of eligible essential workers can be found here.
At child care centers around the state, CARES funding is also being used to purchase supplies including masks, gloves, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, and food. Locally, the scholarship program is being administered by the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. in cooperation with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Parents can apply for a tuition scholarship by completing this form. They will be notified by the Child Care Council of Suffolk, Inc. of their eligibility within 24 hours.
As one of the very few child care centers open for business in southern Brookhaven, this tuition scholarship initiative provides Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center and EOC of Suffolk with a wonderful opportunity to help blunt the negative impacts of this dreadful pandemic – and to serve as a vital resource for this essential and life-sustaining workforce.
Way to Grow Child Care/Learning Center’s educational program – which serves a full demographic spectrum of young people – offers developmentally appropriate programs with specialized curriculum for a variety of ages. They are following full CDC recommended COVID-19 safety precautions.
Please spread the word. I ask every one of you to act now – and to use your various platforms and networks to bring this new program to the attention of the public as best as you can.
Stay safe and healthy!
Sincerely,
Adrian Fassett
C.E.O.
