LOCH SHELDRAKE –– SUNY Sullivan has been awarded $1 million in state funding to support the expansion of the College’s on-campus childcare center. 

The funding is part of a $15.6 million state investment to expand child care access at the State University of New York and the City University of New York announced this week by New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

Run in partnership with the Healthy Kids Early Child Learning Program, SUNY Sullivan’s on-campus childcare center provides students, employees, and community members with a preschool childcare program for children aged 3-5 during on-campus class hours. The state funding will support renovations that will allow the College to expand the program to infants and toddlers.

“We are very grateful to Governor Hochul and SUNY for recognizing that it is often the non-academic barriers that prevent students from succeeding in college,” said SUNY Sullivan President Jay Quaintance. “These funds will allow us to fill a much-needed gap in Sullivan County and ensure that more parents are able to attend college, obtain degrees, and expand their employment opportunities.  Being able to provide access to infants and toddlers is a great step forward and also has the potential to allow us to expand educational opportunities for our students in our early childhood education programs.”

 At some State University of New York campuses, about 80 percent of students with dependents reported that they had trouble meeting their child care needs. The State University of New York is expanding on-site child cares services with $7.6 million for campuses with the greatest demand, which includes: Alfred State, SUNY Canton, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Jamestown Community College, SUNY Old Westbury and SUNY Sullivan.

“We have a holistic approach to student success and have made great progress in New York State thanks to Governor Hochul and our Legislature, and the expansion of child care is critical for many students and faculty alike,” said State University of New York Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley.

 Space in the Healthy Kids Early Child Learning Program at SUNY Sullivan is available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis. 

For more information about the program, visit healthykidsprogramsearlylearning.com/sunysullivan.