News Release: February 17, 2015

Contact: Robert Hart, 718-545-3889

Queens Electeds Lead Fight for Quality, Affordable Child Care

Simotas, Hevesi, Nolan, Titus Named to Child Care Workgroup
ALBANY, N.Y. Last week, Assemlymembers Aravella Simotas, Andrew Hevesi, Catherine
Nolan, and Michele Titus were named to the Assembly Child Care Workgroup. The group is
tasked with making child care policy.
The workgroup was first convened in 2013 to study the challenges that working families, and in
particular women, face in obtaining quality, affordable child care. This year, Simotas and Hevesi
joined the group, alongside Nolan and Titus.
I can only do my job because I know that my 2-year-old daughter is well cared for, said
Assemblywoman Simotas. Too many parents, especially women, cannot reach their professional
and educational goals because of a lack of reliable and affordable child care.
Assemblywoman Nolan said "The success of universal prekindergarten has provided concrete
proof that our children need a strong, healthy start in life. One of the most progressive
investments we can make to boost the economic and social viability of our communities is to
guarantee access to quality, affordable child care. We must provide families with paid family
leave so workers will not be penalized for being caregivers when their loved ones need them the
most."
Assemblyman Hevesi, said "As a father of a young child, this issue is very important to me.
Every possible measure should be taken to ensure their safety, especially in a child care setting. It
is essential that safe, affordable child care be made accessible for all families."
Assemblywoman Titus said "Ensuring access to safe and affordable child care is an issue that
must be addressed in order for New York to remain at the forefront of progressive reforms that
support working families. It has an indisputable impact on the workforce and our ability to attract
and keep the best and brightest talent right here in our state. The efforts of this work group will
go a long way to ensure that workers will no longer have to gamble with the well-being of their
children."

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