When New York state makes budget cuts, it's amazing to note that child care tends to always be on the chopping block. While we realize that reductions need to be made to our overall economy, we tend to question Gov. David Paterson's $600 million in cuts to improve the economic state in New York state. How can economic improvements be made if child care does not exist?

Anyone who lives in New York state is aware that there is a budget crisis right now. The state faces a $20 billion deficit in the next few years. Economic conditions have deteriorated and revenues have declined to a point where severe action needs to take place. The problem lies in the fact that it always seems to be the human service organizations that take the brunt of any budgetary cuts. Those most in need are those affected the most by cuts. Why is the first step to always cut needed services and programs to low-income families and individuals? Not only does this not make sense, but it leaves a lot of unanswered questions.

The Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes is committed to improving the quality of child care services in Cayuga and Seneca Counties. Child care is essential in our community. Families need quality, stable care for their children. Without child care, thousands of people in our community would not be able to work. Further, those who work hard for low paying jobs and rely on financial assistance to help pay for child care would face financial hardship as a result of State budgetary cuts. With cuts made to child care programs, it would severely hinder any progress that has been made in getting families into the work force and in keeping families working.

In a time when New York state should be increasing funding to organizations that assist people trying to work, we instead are faced with finding creative ways to do more with less.

As a not-for-profit organization, the Child Care Council depends on funding from individuals, corporate contracts and governmental grants to provide services and training for families, child care providers, employers and the community. It is easy to brush off this information or turn your back, but I challenge each and every person to spend a few minutes thinking about how child care affects your life.

Why should you be concerned? Ask yourself these questions: Are you a parent in need of child care? Are you an employer who often faces absenteeism by employees who can't find child care? Are you a child care provider in need of state mandated training? Are you a grandparent trying to help your own family, but facing financial restrictions yourself? Are your own children grown now, but you remember how difficult it was to find, keep and pay for child care? Are you thinking about becoming a child care provider yourself because you have struggled to find or pay for child care for your children?

If you can answer “yes” to any of the above questions, I encourage you to contact us and let us help you find ways to help child care in our community.

Close your eyes and imagine children without child care. Imagine these children on their own with no adult supervision. Imagine a parent with a sick child at home who must go to work or face termination.

Who looks after the child? Imagine two working parents, holding down three jobs and they lose their child care provider. Who looks after the child? The next time you are in Wal-Mart, take a look at the little blonde, 3-year-old girl in the cart next to you. The next time you look out your window, take a look at the 7-year-old boy, who lives across the street, as he gets off the school bus and goes to his child care provider. The next time you drive past Neighborhood House, take a look at the children laughing and playing and having fun. These children may be in a child care program near you.

We, here at the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes, find it hard to imagine that any child could be left without a healthy, safe, nurturing environment in which to grow or left without quality child care to build on the child's early childhood developmental skills. Our mission is to promote, strengthen, coordinate and expand child care services in Cayuga and Seneca Counties. If you feel as impassioned as we do, please contact us at the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes.

So many times the news media covers only discouraging and disappointing stories. I encourage everyone to help create good news. The future of our children depends on every person supporting child care in our community. The time is now to take positive steps to influence the outcome of the next generation. To find out how you can help, call the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes at 255-6994 or 568-0945.

Elizabeth Akers Farrell is the child care resource and referral specialist for the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes office in Auburn.