Empire State Child Care Share · Western New York

New York Will Now Pay One-Third of Your Employees’ Child Care.

Your company pays one-third, the state pays one-third, and eligible employees save an average of about $400 a month. CCRN will tell you if your team qualifies and walk you through enrollment.

Check if your team qualifies See how the split works

Official Western New York hub for the Empire State Child Care Share, a pilot program of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services

Pilot Program Info (opens in a new tab)

How the child care share works

one cost. three payers.

  • Your company

    Pays one-third of the cost of care, up to the state market rate. At current rates that’s about $95–$128 a week per child at a child care center, paid through a process your company sets up with the provider.

    1 / 3

  • New York State

    Pays the final third through pilot funding, sent monthly to CCRN as the Western New York hub.

    1 / 3

  • Your employee

    Pays the remaining cost after applying with proof of income, saving an average of about $400 a month.

    The Rest

Eligible families earn 85–100% of the State Median Income. That’s often the people who earn too much for child care assistance and still can’t comfortably afford care: nurses, technicians, skilled trades, shift supervisors.

Your commitments

You set the limits. Here’s what you
agree to.

You Decide

  • How many slots to sponsor
  • How slots are allocated
  • Any extra eligibility criteria
  • Whether to contribute more than one-third

You Agree To

  • Pay at least one-third of each enrolled child’s care, with no per-employee dollar cap
  • Keep the benefit in place for at least one year
  • Encourage eligible employees to apply
  • Report employment changes to CCRN within a week
  • Be recognized publicly as a participating employer

Participating employers are recognized by name on the Empire State Child Care Share and CCRN websites.

Who Can Take Part

  • Employers

    of any size in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans or Wyoming County

  • Employees

    Live in New York, with household income at 85–100% of State Median Income

  • Children

    Ages 0–13

  • Care

    From a licensed or registered child care provider in New York

Income check · 85–100% of State Median Income

Household income range

$79,215 – $93,194

Families already receiving child care assistance (CCAP) aren’t eligible. Eligibility is checked every year, and employers verify the salary information employees provide. The Western New York pilot is funded to serve 274 children through August 2027.

Meet CCRN

Your Practical, Employer-Focused Approach.

Child Care Resource Network (CCRN) works with employers to quantify workforce impact and implement solutions that are realistic, scalable, and aligned to business needs. We focus on what works — not theoretical models or one-size-fits-all programs.

CCRN is the Western New York facilitator hub for the Empire State Child Care Share, contracted by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.

An Overlooked Driver of Workforce Instability

Unplanned absences.
Turnover.
Lost productivity.

Child care challenges are a hidden but significant driver of these issues. Most employers feel the impact — but lack a clear way to address it.

What We Help Employers Do

  1. Enroll in the Empire State Child Care Share

  2. Quantify workforce impact through employee data

  3. Identify cost-effective child care solutions

  4. Navigate tax credits, funding, and incentives

  5. Build a structured, actionable plan

  6. Evaluate feasibility of employer-supported care options

A smarter way to compete for talent

CCRN’s business membership program is built for employers making real workforce decisions — not just offering perks. Each tier builds on the last, giving you the tools, insight, and support to move from intention to execution.

Find the Right Plan for Your Organization:

The impact our plans can have on your business:

  • Reduced absenteeism
  • Improved retention
  • Increased productivity
  • Lower hiring and training costs
  • Stronger employer brand

Addressing child care is not just support — it’s a workforce strategy.

See If Your Team Qualifies

Tell us a little about your organization. CCRN’s Child Care Share team will follow up within two business days.

Ready to apply now? Go to the official employer application · Prefer to read first? Download the Employer Guide

Child Care Share FAQ