A new report from the Fiscal Policy Institute (FPI) warns that without immediate additional funding, New York State’s expanded Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) could face major setbacks, with tens of thousands of families – particularly in New York City – at risk of being placed on waitlists. The report notes that while eligibility has nearly doubled, rising per-child costs have caused total program spending to surge to $2 billion, far outpacing the growth in enrollment. FPI recommends the State provide at least $694 million in additional funding now to avoid service disruptions, arguing that underfunding poses greater risks than overspending, as any surplus would simply roll over into future years.
