New York state is planning to put billions more dollars into child care and after-school programs as part of the 2026 state budget.

But what will it actually mean for families across New York City and the suburbs if it gets passed?

Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, the state’s commissioner at the Office of Children and Family Services, sat down exclusively with News 12’s senior reporter Tara Rosenblum to break it down.

“This year’s budget of $4.5 billion will support multiple ways for child care. One of which is through our very popular Child Care Assistance Program to the tune of $3 billion,” she says.

The plan also aims to expand access beyond New York City.

Harris-Madden says new pilot programs are already in the works to test what Universal Child Care could look like in communities across the state.

“So, you’ve probably heard about New York City and the 2-Care, but also in Dutchess, Broome and Monroe counties, we are investing in pilots to test how Universal Child Care can actually work,” she says.

Data reviewed by the Turn To Tara team shows assistance has grown sharply in the past few years downstate.

In New York City, the number of children receiving help has nearly tripled – jumping from about 39,000 in 2021 to more than 113,000 currently.

On Long Island, the number has more than doubled, adding nearly 6,000 more children.

In Westchester County, access jumped 237%.

But even with that growth, many parents say affordable child care remains hard to find.

“Relief is here. It is growing,” says Harris-Madden. “We are the path to universality. That is the ultimate goal.”

The policy debate is also very personal for Harris-Madden.

“Two decades ago, I had my first child, and I was set to return to work, and unfortunately, there was a tragedy where the caregiver was involved in a domestic violence dispute, and unfortunately she was shot, and that sent me into a downward spiral…and so I then took additional time off unpaid, and that placed me in, you know, a lower income bracket,” she says.

She said the moment still shapes how she approaches the issue today.

The state budget is still being negotiated in Albany.

If approved, many of the child care expansions could begin rolling out next year.