Location:
290 Main Street - 3rd Floor
Buffalo, New York 14202
Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
General Information
The Day Care Unit determines eligibility of families for day care subsidies, promotes quality day care in our community and offers technical assistance to providers in meeting New York State regulations.
The Day Care Unit strives to improve relationships with community partners by offering a variety of workshops, seminars and work group discussions to enhance the quality of service.
Plans offered:
Child day care assistance is authorized for eligible individuals through a variety of programs outlined below. Each program determines method of payment, required paperwork and who to contact with questions and problems.
- Temporary Assistance Day Care: is guaranteed for TANF or Safety Net households involved in approved training programs or work site assignments. This program enables parents to work or participate in approved training programs while receiving child day care services.
- Transitional Day Care: is available when a Temporary [Public] Assistance case is closed and there is a need for day care services due to employment. Transitional day care is guaranteed for 12 months if working families earn 200% or less of the State Income Standard. Parents contribute to the cost of care based on a sliding income scale.
- Non-Temporary Assistance Day Care: is available to employed families who earn 175% or less of the State Income Standard. Parents contribute toward the cost of care based on a sliding income scale. This assistance is also provided to teen parents attending high school. * Effective March 5, 2012, Non-Temporary Assistance Daycare eligibility will be increased to 200% of the State Income Standard.
- Preventive/Protective Services Day Care: is available for children services cases when day care is mandated as part of the individual service plan.
For information about day care eligibility, program requirements or questions regarding available providers, please call [716] 858-TYKE [858-8953]
Important Telephone Numbers:
Child Care Resource Network
1000 Hertel Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14216
[716] 877-6666
NYS Office of Children and Family Services
Child Care Licensing and Information
295 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
[716] 847-3828
Erie County Day Care Unit
290 Main Street - 3rd Floor
Buffalo, New York 14202
[716] 858-8953
Erie County Accounting/Voucher Audit
[716] 858-7694
Erie County Department of Contract Compliance
[716] 858-7203
Day Care Eligibility
Click here to view Income Eligibility Standards for Child Care Assistance and required eligibility documents.
Day Care Eligibility no longer requires a face-to-face interview. The Application For Child Care Assistance (ECDSS-5163) may be printed out and mailed in to the Day Care Unit at 290 Main Street 3rd Floor, Buffalo, New York 14202, or dropped off at the reception window.
Click here for instructions on how to complete the application for Child Care Assistance (ECDSS-5164).
Any Legally Exempt day care provider must be registered through the Child Care Resource Network (877-6666). For all Day Care providers, the child care payment questionnaire (Form B-3923) must be completed and signed by both applicant and provider. A Letter of Determination will be mailed to you, and if approved, also to your provider.