After months of advocacy and deliberation, the Westchester County Board of Legislators and County Executive have finalized and signed the County’s 2026 budget. Westchester Children’s Association (WCA) recognizes that this budget is being implemented in a challenging fiscal environment, shaped by economic uncertainty and reductions in federal support. In moments like these, budget decisions speak volumes about community priorities.
We appreciate the County’s stated commitment to protecting core services, and we urge continued focus on investments that directly support children and families who are experiencing growing economic hardship across Westchester.
Childcare: An Essential Investment Under Strain
The 2026 budget includes $2.5 million in renewed funding for the Westchester Works Childcare Scholarship, which provides monthly childcare assistance to families within a designated income range. While we are grateful that this critical program remains funded, this represents a reduction from last year’s $3.3 million allocation meaning fewer families will be able to access assistance.
Childcare is not only essential for working parents; it is a cornerstone of healthy child development. High-quality early education promotes school readiness and lays the foundation for long-term academic achievement, economic stability, and overall well-being. As the County does what it can within current constraints, WCA, the Campaign for Kids Coalition, and our community partners will continue to elevate the importance of robust childcare funding as we turn our advocacy efforts toward the New York State budget.
Housing Stability and Eviction Prevention
WCA also emphasizes the critical importance of sustained investment in homelessness and eviction prevention. Housing instability is a key driver of adverse outcomes for children, impacting academic performance, mental health, and family stability.
In 2023, Westchester became the first county in the nation to pass Access to Counsel legislation, guaranteeing tenants facing eviction the right to legal representation. This landmark achievement has already made a meaningful difference for families—but its success depends on continued funding. The 2026 budget allocates $3.7 million to the Access to Counsel Eviction Prevention Program, a decrease from the $4 million flat funding in 2025. We appreciate the County’s continued support of this vital program and stress the importance of ensuring it remains fully resourced to meet community need.
Investing in Community-Based Organizations
As clearly documented in WCA’s most recent Poverty Pulse, need across Westchester continues to grow. Community-based organizations (CBOs) are often the first and sometimes only point of contact for families seeking food assistance, housing support, mental health services, and youth programming.
We thank the County for sustaining funding for Invest in Kids programs and for providing direct support to essential CBOs serving children and families. Invest in Kids initiatives play a critical role in safeguarding children, fostering youth success, and strengthening the connections that promote well-being countywide. Past funding has supported civic engagement, school and career readiness, and youth leadership development.
We are especially encouraged that this funding will allow WCA to publish new mental health fact sheets and expand our annual mental health roundtable important tools for education, advocacy, and systems change.
Looking Ahead
As Westchester moves forward with the 2026 budget, WCA looks forward to continued partnership with County leaders, advocates, and community organizations. Together, we must ensure that fiscal decisions keep children at the center and that resources are aligned with the real and growing needs of families across our county.
Children’s needs do not shrink in times of uncertainty—and neither can our commitment to meeting them.