Emergency Broadband Benefit in the Bronx!
The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. EBB will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Who Is Eligible?
A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:
Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
How Can Families Apply?
Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application.
Just Released: Drafted Child Care Development Fund Plan (2022-2024)
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program, which is administered by states, territories and tribes, provides financial assistance to low-income families to access child care so they can work or attend a job training or educational program. States can also use CCDF dollars to invest in improving quality through teacher workforce, supporting child care programs to achieve higher standards and providing consumer education to help parents select child care that meets their families’ needs.
Two weeks ago the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) released the proposed Child Care and Development Fund Plan for 2022-2024. Between now and July 1, 2021, when the drafted plan becomes finalized, OCFS is providing space to hear feedback from advocates, providers, and caregivers! If you are interested in submitting testimony, you must do so by June 1. More information can be found here. Empire State Campaign for Child Care has released helpful talking points to guide testimony.
Partner Corner
Need Help Finding Child Care?
Care Finder NYC is building a FREE platform where Family Child Care providers and families needing childcare can connect. The platform has launched in beta—families can search for childcare providers and licensed providers can claim their page and advertise current openings. Try it out at https://carefinder.nyc/. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jaime-Jin Lewis at jaimejin@wiggleroomnow.com.
Apply for 3K
As of February 24, 3K applications have opened to the public. Families that have a child born in 2018 are now eligible to submit a 3K Application, and the deadline to apply is May 28. More information, including how to apply, can be found here.
Per Scholas Help Desk
The Per Scholas NY Help Desk is a free service available to local residents and small businesses in New York City. Trained and certified Per Scholas alumni can support you with the following technical issues:
Software: Microsoft 365, Zoom, Cisco WebEx
OS: Windows, Linux and Mac OS
Hardware: Printers, routers and other commonly used devices
Advice on virus removal and protection, data back-up, upgrades, device troubleshooting, networking and more
To access the Help Desk, click here.
Phipps Neighborhoods is Hiring!
Our partners at Phipps Neighborhoods are hiring for multiple early childhood positions. Take a look at the opportunities below!
Advocacy Corner
Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline
We are officially 5 weeks away from the June 22 primary election — are you ready to head to the polls?
Register to vote by May 28
Are you registered to vote? Check here! If you’re not already registered, Turbovote makes the process easier.Update your address by June 2
Have you moved since the last time you voted? You’ll need to notify the Board of Elections of your new address.Vote early from June 12 - June 20
Want to vote early? Find your early voting sight here.Request an absentee ballot
Need an absentee ballot? Make sure you request one by June 15!
Your absentee ballot will need to be postmarked or dropped off at a poll site by June 22!Learn about ranked choice voting!
Section 8 Housing Waitlist
On May 17 the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) opened the Section 8 housing waitlist. This is the first time HCR has opened its Section 8 waitlist since 2005, and they expect more than 100,000 people to apply. The waitlist will be open for two weeks and will close on Friday, May 28, at 11:59 p.m. The waitlist is not first-come, first-serve. Instead, 15,000 applicants will be chosen at random.
For a household to be eligible:
At least one person in the household needs to be a U.S. citizen
They must make no more than the following maximum incomes:
1-person household - $41,800
2-person household - $47,750
3-person household - $53,650
4-person household - $64,450
The application is available online at section8.hcr.ny.gov. It is available in multiple languages and only takes about 5-10 minutes to complete. No documentation is needed to apply. Applicants without internet access can call 1-833-990-4001.
Applicants selected for an eligibility screening will be notified by mid to late June. For more information about the program, including the answers to many Frequently Asked Questions, visit HCR’s website.
Upcoming Events
DreamYard Events
Our partners at DreamYard have a variety of events coming up during the months of May and June. Be sure to check out these opportunities below!
