By News10NBC

November 13, 2025

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Advocates are urging Monroe County lawmakers to prioritize child care funding in the next county budget.

Monroe County receives the third largest allocation from the state’s Child Care Block Grant fund, but The Children’s Agenda says the county risks closing enrollment for the program next year unless more funding is set aside to keep it running. Several parents shared their thoughts on Wednesday at a Monroe County Legislature hearing.

“Families need help with child care. Things are rising. It’s difficult to even pay for things nowadays,” said Tianna Johnson, who attended the meeting. “Child care is typically sometimes more than half of some folks income, so we need the county to step in with some subsidies. We need them to ensure that Monroe County families can get to work and be able to provide quality living for their families.”

Subsidies are available to families making less than 85% of the state median income. The Children’s Agenda is looking to expand that access.

Original story here: https://www.whec.com/top-news/local-group-calls-for-more-funding-for-child-care-in-monroe-county/