This weekend on In Focus, we’re opening a conversation on childcare and the challenges upstate New York families and care providers face.

JoDee Kenney spoke with Assemblymember Sarah Clark about what she calls a "system in crisis." Clark said affordability remains one of the biggest hurdles for families seeking childcare, and she is supporting policies to make it easier for parents to access assistance. Presumptive eligibility, for example, the assemblymember said, allows families to immediately access childcare while they apply for financial assistance. Clark also said supporting quality childcare centers can eliminate another roadblock for accessibility. Wages for the childcare workforce, Clark said, are some of the lowest of any job sector, and finding ways to raise that pay can help childcare providers maintain staffing levels to support more spots for children.

You can watch the full interview with Assemblymember Sarah Clark in the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting upstate New York on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.