Early Care & Learning Council

09/29/2026

Each survey invitation link is unique and can only be used once. Providers should not forward their invitation to other providers. If a provider knows someone who has not received an invitation or they have any questions about the survey, please email the Market Rate Survey Team at [email protected] for help. A user guide and FAQ is also available on the New York State Office of Children and Family Services website or please contact your local CCRC for assistance. https://earlycareandlearning.org/our-members/

09/23/2026

For two decades, Jessica Klos Shapiro has been a dedicated advocate for New York’s youngest children, families, and the workforce that supports them. From advancing critical investments in child care and workforce development to helping shape the state’s movement toward universal child care, her leadership continues to strengthen New York’s early childhood system.

As ECLC’s Senior Director of Policy and Community Education, Jess is a tireless advocate for New York’s Child Care Resource Centers (CCRC) network, recognizing the essential role these organizations play as the workforce behind the child care workforce. Her work helps ensure CCRCs have the resources and support needed to strengthen child care providers, connect families to care, and build a more sustainable child care system across the state.

Her commitment to elevating both providers and the CCRC network reflects her understanding that a stronger child care system requires investment in everyone who makes care possible. We are incredibly proud to see her expertise and impact recognized as one of USLege’s 2026 Best in Government Affairs honorees!

View more information here: https://www.uslege.ai/best-in-government-affairs/new-york/2026/jessica-klos-shapiro

09/01/2026

This back-to-school season, supporting young children ages 0–5 means remembering to support the adults who show up for them, too. And as children head back to classrooms and child care settings, we’re thinking about the caregivers who make those environments work by supporting our youngest learners every day, in every setting.

Today, ECLC is excited to announce the release of our newest white paper exploring Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) and its role in supporting caregivers of young children.

IECMH takes a relationship-based approach to strengthening caregiver capacity, supporting relational well-being, and addressing the stress caregivers experience by recognizing that when we support the adults, we also strengthen the relationships at the heart of young children’s development.

Our new white paper explores what this can mean for caregivers across all settings and modalities of care, and why supporting the people who care for our youngest learners deserves a place in the conversation.

Read the new IECMH white paper here: https://bit.ly/4zKAaoJ

08/27/2026

Child Care Council, Inc. CEO Rose Shufelt spoke beside Congressman Joe Morelle and distinguished colleagues as he unveiled his Childcare Affordability Agenda in support of parents, child care programs, and providers.

View more here: https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-joe-morelle-unveils-childcare-affordability-agenda-lower-costs

08/19/2026

Our staff had the opportunity to attend the NYS Pyramid Model Summit, connecting with early childhood professionals from across New York State.

The Pyramid Model is a framework that promotes positive relationships, supportive learning environments, and effective strategies for fostering children’s social-emotional skills. For more information visit: https://ccf.ny.gov/pyramid-model/

08/11/2026

We would like to say farewell to our IECMH Data Analyst, Sam Brotmann; Child Care Supply Coordinator, Budhan Ramcharan; and Director of Professional Development, Brooke Ricci.

While it was a sweet end with our ice cream social send-off, we will miss all that you do. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors.

07/28/2026

Take a moment to share your thoughts with our partners at Hunger Solutions New York.

📝⤵️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYG2HAshKDQGewEt2D69fc1yBnB9Oan07NqZu5yt2uk516ZA/viewform

You can help shape our 2027 anti-hunger policy priorities.

Thanks to your partnership and engagement, New York has made significant investments in anti-hunger programs over the past few years. But federal cuts to SNAP are already harming New Yorkers struggling to put food on the table and will continue to increase food insecurity.

Share your thoughts on how we can work together to ensure our state protects food access for all New Yorkers.

➡️Visit the link in the comments to take our survey and please share with your community.

07/23/2026

ECLC's Director of Child Care Supply, Andria Ryberg, presented at the National Association for Family Child Care conference.

This space offered an opportunity to share expertise, contribute to national conversations, and connect with professionals dedicated to strengthening child care.

07/14/2026

Looking for your next opportunity? Early Care & Learning Council is currently hiring a Membership and Events Specialist.

Learn more and apply today at: https://earlycareandlearning.org/job-opportunities/

07/08/2026

The School Mental Health Resource and Training (SMHRT) Center is dedicated to ensuring that conversations about mental wellness take place throughout the year and aim to provide families with the tools to have critical conversations with their children about mental wellbeing.

Each year, the SMHRT Center hosts a Summer Movie Weekend, during which a movie about mental health is made available to families for free. All who register also receive a discussion guide based on issues raised in the movie, to help them talk about mental health with the children in their lives.

This year’s Summer Movie is IF (2024), which tells the story of a young girl who goes through a difficult experience and begins to see everyone's imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up. View trailer here: https://youtu.be/mb2187ZQtBE?si=JK8CqnWuX0eWRHTy

This year, the SMHRT Center is offering the Summer Movie for a week (July 17-24) and making it available to summer schools, camps, libraries and any institution working with children. Click here to register and if you are interested in showing the movie in your Summer program, email [email protected]. Register here: https://www.mentalhealthednys.org/events