Over the past several weeks, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, along with Agudath Israel of America and other advocacy groups, has been relentlessly advocating for the City of New York to reopen Article 43 school based and Article 47 day care facilities, for them to be able to operate childcare centers. Today, the city’s Board of Health will be voting to reopen those programs as of Monday July 13th. That is good news for parents of young children and for all New Yorkers.

Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order closing down all schools in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the state left the decision making on childcare up to the local municipalities. As the state and the city began to reopen it became clear that parents could not safely go back to work unless there were adequate childcare facilities available for their children. Thus began intense lobbying efforts by Assemblyman Eichenstein as well as other lawmakers to reopen childcare.

“I am delighted that the Board of Health recognizes the need for these vital child care services and will now allow Article 43 school based and Article 47 day care facilities to reopen” said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein, “Thanks to our partnership on this effort with Agudath Israel of America and other advocacy groups, thousands of children can now be properly cared for while their parents return to the jobs they so desperately need. Childcare is an essential service which parents rely on so that they can earn income for their families. This is a win-win for all New Yorkers.”