Ayotte reiterates support for childcare workforce grant and Granite Steps funding at bill signing

At a bill signing ceremony, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she “still supports” funding for the Granite Steps for Quality and childcare workforce grant programs. 

Last month, the Bulletin reported that the state’s Executive Council has continued to vote down a contract that would provide over $1 million to Granite Steps for Quality, New Hampshire’s quality childcare improvement program, a decision that will impact childcare providers statewide. The Department of Health and Human Services said that over $2.3 million in payments to programs and federal childcare subsidies could be affected if the program remains unfunded. 

Ayotte said Thursday that she supports the contract and “will take those resources and try to get them out to the childcare community in a different way” if the Council continues to not approve future contracts. The governor sits on the five-person council but cannot directly vote. 

The governor said that one way the state is looking to address Granite Steps for Quality and the unfunded childcare workforce grant program is through community college and high school Career and Technical Education programs.

“I think you can expect that in my next biennial budget,” Ayotte said. “We’re going to have expansion of those opportunities as it relates not only to child care but other workforce areas I think we can expand.” 

The ceremonial bill signing, held at the Granite YMCA in Manchester, was for House Bill 1433, which establishes a tax credit program for businesses that create childcare slots. The governor endorsed the bill in February and said she “knows it’s going to have an impact.”

“We need more childcare, so we’re going to have to [continue] to think creatively to make sure that whatever we’re doing that is working, that we do more of it,” she said. 

Ayotte also reaffirmed her support for the Child Care Scholarship Program, an assistance program that helps low-income families pay for childcare while they work or attend school. Over 5,000 childcare are currently in the program, which is funded by federal subsidies. 

Executives from the Granite YMCA, the Business and Industry Association and Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais also spoke. They were joined by state lawmakers, childcare advocates, and business leaders for the signing.