ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Cornell is boosting its efforts to address the child care desert in Tompkins County.

The school is dedicating $300,000 annually for up to five years to fund new and existing child care centers. It’s called the Community Child Care Supply Growth Initiative and will be overseen by the Child Development Council of Central NY. Currently, Tompkins County has available slots for only 1/3 of the 5 and under population.

“Expanding access to affordable child care is a national imperative and essential to the continued success of Cornell, our community, and our local economy,” said Cornell Provost Michael Kotlikoff. “As the largest employer in the county, we recognize the importance of having a healthy and accessible child care system. As we develop short- and long-term child care strategies, making this funding available to area providers is an important step toward addressing supply challenges in our community.”

Cornell will also contribute $72,000 in additional funds a year to the council to help staffing for the initiative on top of the $70,000 it gives to the council for general support.

CEO of the Child Development Council of Central NY Melissa Perry calls the initiative a game-changer, noting that start-up costs for child care programs and child care centers range from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands.

“This significant investment by Cornell comes at a pivotal moment in the child care sector,” said Perry. “It has the potential to change the local child care landscape by eliminating barriers to developing new care options for the community.”