York’s Child and Family Center Gets Major Grant

It has been a great year for the York College Child and Family Center (YCCFC).

The Center has been awarded a five-year contract for DOE 3K programming, which Director Charlene Dertinger ( AKA Ms. Charlene)  recently announced. “YCCFC has been awarded two classrooms of DOE 3K programming, fall 2021, for a total of 20 children, combined with its current UPK program of 18 children,” said Dertinger. 

Additionally, “We have been awarded 183k for our CCAMPIS grant for the School Age Program and it has been approved by the Department of Health, with upcoming announcements for registration Winter 2021-2022.”

Dertinger added that she had been working on the school-aged application process since October 2020. “Our priority is to serve our student parents,” says Dertinger. “We started an infant room in Winter 2020, which has fulfilled a great need for student parents with young babies.  Our next goal is to apply for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and move toward accreditation. “

Dertinger says the YCCFC is licensed by the New York City Department of Health (DOH) and “offers high-quality early childhood Care Conveniently on Campus, flexible scheduling and affordable fees for York’s student-parents, faculty/staff childcare needs.”   It features a developmentally appropriate environment and New York State-certified staff. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am- 6:00 pm, Fridays 7:30 – 5:00 p.m.

According to Dertinger, the DOE 3k and UPK funding will yield a total of $2,999 420.00 over the course of the 5-year contract. The funding also includes $45,000 in start-up costs for the programs.   Dertinger added “Moving forward, the School Age program will be able to serve 14 children in total from Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., and provide Summer Camp next year, she says. “This is another level of service for our student parents.”

College administration agrees.

"I am delighted with this outstanding new funding of nearly $3 million from the Department of Health for our 3k, UPK  and School Age program, says Dr. Karen Williams, Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. "These funds will go a long way in developing and growing that section of our YCCFC. We serve a high-needs community and we are grateful for the partnership and the confidence DOE has placed in us with this impressive funding."