We are Launching Child Care Initiative to Close Mohawk Valley’s Growing Care Gap

ICAN, a leader in social, emotional, and behavioral health services, announced the launch of a new Child Care Initiative designed to address one of the most significant workforce challenges facing the Mohawk Valley: the shortage of accessible, high-quality child care.

ICAN Child Care is designed to support working families while providing employers with a strategic tool to improve recruitment, retention, and employee satisfaction.The initiative is being advanced in partnership with the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency and Griffiss Local Development Corporation, partner organizations of Mohawk Valley EDGE, supporting regional workforce and economic development efforts and will begin with a new child care location in Rome, NY in 2026.

The Need

Access to high-quality child care remains one of the most pressing barriers facing families in the region. In the Mohawk Valley, child care capacity meets less than 20% of local demand. This gap widens when focused on child care for infants and toddlers.

An estimated 3,681 children in the region require child care, while only approximately 1,020 licensed child care spots are currently available. This leaves an estimated 2,651 children without access to care, placing strain on families, employers, and the broader economy.

(SOURCE: Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County)

Not Just a Family Issue

Employers across the region are feeling the impact every day through missed shifts, high turnover and an increasingly difficult hiring environment. 

According to regional workforce and economic development reports, the shortage is expected to have long-term impacts including reduced household income, decreased employee retention, and challenges attracting new businesses.

ICAN’s initiative highlights the growing recognition among employers that child care is no longer only a family issue, but a critical workforce strategy.

The Solution

The Rome, NY expansion represents the first phase of a broader effort to increase access to early childhood services and address systemic gaps in child care availability.

ICAN is recognized for proven high-quality early childhood services, expertise in social and emotional development, integrated community partnerships, including school-based and cultural programming and a strong record of employee satisfaction and organizational excellence.

“Child care has become one of the defining workforce challenges of our time. Families cannot succeed, businesses cannot grow, and communities cannot reach their full potential when parents lack access to quality care for their children. This initiative reflects ICAN’s commitment to meeting emerging community needs with innovative solutions that strengthen both families and the regional workforce.” - Steven Bulger CEO/President

Reserve Your Organization’s Spot Today but emailing childcare@ican.family