New York state is helping ease a massive need for child care in Northern New York.

Funding of nearly $2 million will help build a care center in Ogdensburg. However, even after this center opens, St. Lawrence County will still have the biggest need across the state.

What You Need To Know

Child care is a need across New York state

While state funding will help Ogdensburg with its need, there are still so many more families in need

The need is also critical in places like the Mohawk Valley and Western New York

“St. Lawrence County is probably the most severe child care desert in the state,” state Assemblyman Scott Gray said.

Gray says his office gets calls, emails, letters almost every day. St. Lawrence County, particularly Ogdensburg, has a mini-crisis.

For every open child care spot, there are eight kids with a need.

“The need is, yes, it’s tremendous,” Gray added.

However, Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced nearly $2 million in funding for a new child care center in Ogdensburg. It will be run by a nonprofit, The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence.

“Home provider, day care providers, were getting out of the business because the cost of doing it outweighs, what you were paid as a child care provider,” The Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence Chief Operating Officer Tara Lortz said.

The funding is the last pot of money needed to begin construction. The new center will be built in the city’s commerce park. It will be able to host 125 kids.

“Getting that child through those developmental years and preparing them for school is so important,” Lortz said.

However, knowing that one in eight number, it still leaves a massive gap. And it’s not just Ogdensburg.

Fifty-eight -percent of New York state is considered a child care desert with 62% of the children needing care living in those areas.

The Mohawk Valley and Western New York, along with St. Lawrence County, have the biggest gaps.

“You will see more parents splitting their responsibilities, where one will stop working or they’ll have to work different shifts. You’ll see more remote work being done by family members so that they can accommodate for that,” Lortz added.

And Gray said that’s also affecting how New York state can conduct business.

“People that are going to look to locate a company here are going to look at what the child care slots are. Second of all, it makes available, you know, people for the workforce,” he said.

The new project finally being ready to go. It’s what Gray calls a good step forward but with still miles to go.