The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Office of Children and Family Services announced last week that New York has received $16.5 million in federal funding to help low-income parents pay for child care, allowing them to improve their skills and successfully enter the workforce.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the $16.5 million in funding through the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program to help Food Stamp recipients who are participating in an employment and training program pay for child care.

The child care assistance can continue for up to three months after a Food Stamp recipient secures a job. Parents will be able to secure child care for approximately 5,000 children in New York State as a result of this funding, according to state officials.