The Orange County Legislature unanimously approved a supplemental appropriation on Aug. 14 to the Department of Social Services to cover child-care assistance for currently eligible families for the next 12 months.

Legislator Ramos explained the action and warned that the appropriation does not expand access for new applicants. “This funding that we're voting on today is to cover all the individuals who have been currently deemed eligible and are receiving child care for the next 12 months, but this is not to expand or to, add new applicants in,” Ramos said. She told colleagues that Orange County stopped approving new child-care subsidy applications in April after state changes increased eligibility and sped the exhaustion of funds.

Ramos said the county sought approval from New York State to expend remaining funds and that the shortage reflects a state-level funding/eligibility change rather than a county-only issue.

Discussion vs. decision: The resolution appropriated county budget funds to cover existing recipients for a year; it does not change eligibility rules or create new slots for families currently on the waiting list.

Vote/action: The resolution passed unanimously.

What families should know: County officials and legislators said applicants who submit new applications will currently be denied for lack of funds until additional state or county funding is secured.