Childcare directors say pilot could help short term but question sustainability after three years

Multiple providers at the Families Task Force meeting welcomed the New York Community Trust's pilot but said they worry about sustaining wage increases after the three-year period. One director described the pilot as a significant opportunity for staff but said she could not promise continued funding: "At the end of 3 years when this pilot ends, I'm gonna have to look at my staff and say, that money's gone now," she told the group.

Providers asked task-force members and philanthropic partners to develop transition plans that link pilot grants to county, state or private-sector commitments so centers would not lose earnings when the pilot ends. Task-force members agreed the pilot's evaluation should include affordability and sustainability metrics and that early coordination with local employers and school districts could help explore long-term funding pathways.