Some much needed child care funding is on the way for Central New York communities.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer visited Cortland Monday to announce more than $1.8 billion will be available through the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress in March.

Child care centers must apply for the funding, which will be distributed through two grants — the Childcare Stabilization Act and the Development Block Grant. 

“Funds like this are going to be able to allow us to pay our workers what they deserve, or at least build a plan to be able to achieve that and it will also reduce the costs parents are paying," said Cortland YWCA Executive Director Kelly Tobin.

According to the Center for Law and Social Policy, one in six jobs have been lost in child care during the pandemic.