Oswego County DSS’ Child Care Assistance Program Now Fully Re-Opened

OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County Department of Social Services (DSS) announced the full re-opening of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) after a challenging year for the initiative.

In February, DSS paused the 2025/2026 program due to limited funding. In July, the agency received additional, but partial, funding to help close the gap and New York State approved its plan for distribution in August.

Now, thanks to an increase in the county’s federal allocation through the state for the 2026/2027 program year, DSS can fully re-open the program.

“This is another piece of welcome news, helping more families access child care,” said Oswego County Legislator Michael Solowy, District 23, chairman of the Legislature’s Human Services Committee. “As demand continues to grow for child care services, we will continue to advocate for our residents to ensure that hard-working families and quality child care providers are able to receive the support they need.”

Oswego County DSS Commissioner Lee Sullivan agreed, saying, “We appreciate this funding increase. It allows us to better support working families and expand child care access to those eligible. We remain committed to strengthening Oswego County families through stability and economic self-sufficiency supports.”

DSS staff have already prioritized waitlist applications that met federal priority requirements, such as families experiencing homelessness, with income at or below 300% of the state income standard, or who have a child with a documented special need.

Now they’re also reviewing state priority requirements for those who were waitlisted and accepting new CCAP applications for the year 2026/2027. Those who submit an application will be screened for eligibility and staff will reach out to all families directly to help them with next steps.

Families who have questions about their CCAP application or who would like information about how to apply can email DSS at [email protected]. They may also call 315-963-5250 (for last names beginning A-H) or 315-963-5278 (for last names beginning I-Z).

Families receiving federal- or state-mandated child care assistance through Temporary Assistance (TA) have not been affected by the program’s funding issues and will continue without interruption.

CCAP aims to help eligible families with the cost of child care, allowing parents and caregivers to work, attend school or participate in approved activities while working toward financial stability and self-sufficiency.

The program is funded by the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to New York State, which then determines each county’s allocation amount, eligibility thresholds and program rules. Local DSS districts then manage the program within those state-issued guidelines and funding allocations.

For applications and other program information, click on Oswego County DSS.