ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--AT A TIME WHEN CHILDCARE COSTS ARE RISING AND PROVIDERS ARE STRUGGLING TO RETAIN STAFF, MANY ADVOCATES SAid THE FINAL BUDGET MISSED THE MARK. 

“The reason they cannot find a retain staff is because childcare providers are paid near poverty wages,” said Dede Hill, policy director for the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy.

IN NEW YORK, THE AVERAGE ANNUAL WAGE FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS IS $33,000, ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.  

THAT BREAKS DOWN TO $15.85 AN HOUR FOR FULL-TIME WORK.

HILL SAid AS A RESULT MANY FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO FIND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.  

OTHER ADVOCATES HIGHLIGHT LACK OF GOOD CHILDCARE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT CHILDREN AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT. 

“Those zero to three years, zero to five but particularly zero to three when we think about a child's brain development and how they need that quality care,” said Shoshana Hershkowitz, campaign manager for the Empire State Campaign for Childcare.

ADVOCATES ARE ALSO CALLING FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE DECOUPLING BILL—LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD END THE STATES PRACTICE OF TYING CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE TO THE EXACT HOURS THAT A PARENT WORKS AND ALLOW FAMILIES WHO WORK FLUCTUATING HOURS TO ACCESS CHILDCARE.  

DESPITE LAWMAKERS' EFFORTS, THE LEGISLATION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR’S FINAL BUDGET.  IT PASSED BOTH HOUSES LAST YEAR BUT WAS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR.  

HILL SAid ITS CRITICAL LAWMAKERS KEEP TRYING.  

“It’s really hard on children, it’s really hard on parents and most childcare providers they can’t accept families on those terms no matter how much they want to,” she said. 

LAWMAKERS SAid WHILE THEY ARE ALSO FRUSTRATED WITH THE BILLS' PROGRESS, THEIR EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE. 

“It’s been an extremely disingenuous conversation with her about something that is very basic, it would allow parents to have childcare even for the hours that they aren’t necessarily in work and so we need to pass it again, the Governor should sign it,” said Sen. Jabari Brisport (D-25th Senate District).