New York Democratic officials criticized the Trump administration’s freezing of New York State’s funding for social services, including child care — and providers feared the move could have devastating consequences for families and children.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release Tuesday evening it is withholding $10 billion in funding to several states, including New York, due to concerns that money is going to people who are not citizens. The impacted money would come from the Child Care and Development Fund, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Social Services Block Grant program.
“Families who rely on child care and family assistance programs deserve confidence that these resources are used lawfully and for their intended purpose,” Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill said. “This action reflects our commitment to program integrity, fiscal responsibility and compliance with federal requirements.”
The release said the action applies to funding for New York, California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota — all Democrat-led states.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUNDThe Trump administration is freezing $10 billion in funding for social services, including child care, to New York and other states.State officials condemned the freeze, saying it will impact working families and children.The move follows allegations of fraud at child care centers in Minnesota.
The freeze of funds follows allegations of fraud at several child care centers in Minnesota. All 50 states were later told they must provide additional verification before receiving child care funds.
HHS said in a separate release that through its Administration for Children and Families, it was rolling back 2024 child care rules that allowed states “to base payments on enrollment rather than verified attendance, pay child care providers in advance of services and favor guaranteed contract slots with providers over parent-directed vouchers.”
Several officials in New York said Tuesday they not yet received any communication from the Trump administration about the funding freeze.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, speaking at an unrelated news conference, said the state had not received official notification of the plan but was preparing to fight it.
Tuesday evening, a Hochul spokesperson said in an email: “Confirming we have now received notice from the federal government.”
Hochul had said earlier: “We feel that this is a pending threat to New York. … Why is there such a frontal assault on children in this nation from this administration?”
She said her administration is gearing up to take the issue to court.
Hochul said earlier, “We’ll be having a litigation strategy. We’ll fight this with every fiber of our being because our kids should not be political pawns in a fight that Donald Trump seems to have with blue state governors.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the move “beyond disgusting.”
“This goes beyond targeting blue states,” he said in an email. “It is upending the lives of working families and making our children pay the price for the sake of political games.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) urged the administration to reconsider.
“This has nothing to do with fraud and everything to do with political retribution that punishes poor children in need of assistance,” she said in a statement. “I demand that President Trump unfreeze this funding and stop this brazen attack on our children.”
A spokesperson for Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
U.S. Senate Republicans are planning a Jan. 28 hearing on federally funded child care programs. Whether New York officials might be among the witnesses called was not clear.
“The American people deserve answers and accountability. Coming soon,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the chairman of the judiciary subcommittee on federal courts, oversight, agency action, and federal rights, posted on X on Tuesday.
Some child care providers on Long Island, meanwhile, were bracing for the potential fallout of a freeze, including disruption in services.
Jennifer LaMaina runs three child care centers in Suffolk County that are 85% subsidized. She expressed concern her centers would not be able to stay open amid a freeze.
“We’ve already had issues with late payment. … We provide service and we don’t get paid until three, four months later,” LaMaina said. “We don’t know how we’ll operate.”
Alicia Marks, owner of Marks of Excellence Day Care in Amityville. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Alicia Marks, owner of Marks of Excellence in Amityville, said a hold would be a step backward for families and providers.
Marks said her business is 90% subsidized and she has five licensed partnerships. A freeze would be a “chokehold” for families because “without child care, parents can’t work,” she said. It could also prompt some families to look for unregistered services, she said.
“To see something rolled backward in this day and age, when child care is needed more than ever … is a travesty,” she said.
Newsday’s Matthew Chayes, Tiffany Cusaac-Smith and Billy House contributed to this story.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.