Family Childcare Network
Founded in 1999, by a partnership between University Neighborhood Housing Program and Fordham Bedford Community Services, Providers United, was a network of more than 50 family daycare providers working in the northwest Bronx. In 2012, Fordham Bedford Community Services received a contract to participate in the Early Learn NYC initiative, and significantly increase the scope of the program. Early Learn NYC was created as a comprehensive program to address school readiness from 6 weeks to 5 years-old, before children enter public school. It merged the childcare systems and the early childhood education systems into a seamless approach to child preparedness. In 2020 the contract transferred to the Department of Education and grew on the mission of Early Learn NYC and the scale of the FBCS Network now known as the Family Childcare Network. Families now have dedicated family workers not only focusing on their eligibility for services but also their child’s development and holistic family needs. Providers receive monthly training, coaching, and study plans to help them take their programs to the next level.
Families enrolled in our services must have children between the ages of 6 weeks and 3 years old be eligible to receive subsidized child care through either working or going to school and live in 10453, 10457, 10458, 10468, 10467, and the surrounding areas.
Providers who wish to be a part of the network must be licensed through the DOH, be motivated to increase their knowledge and quality of childcare services, and be located in an area of need for the Network.
Both interested families and interested providers will be guided by agency staff to complete their applications. For more information on this program, please contact Caitlin Knipper, Family Child Care Network Director, at cknipper@fordham-bedford.org
Child and Adult Care Food Program
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. Fordham Bedford Community Services offers this program for Day Care Homes. This program provides home based child care providers with education and support in providing nutritious meals for the children in their program. Providers receive a reimbursement for the meals they serve that meet USDA regulations for child nutrition. Providers that are interested in participating in this program can contact Lianette Cuello, CACFP Coordinator, at lcuello@fordham-bedford.org or at (917) 645-9556.