Child care center at Buffalo VA first initiated as a pilot project now officially included in VA budget
Congressman Brian Higgins announced the House of Representatives approved legislation that will preserve Kids Korner, a program that provides veterans with child care services at the Buffalo VA Medical Center.
"Access to child care should never be a barrier to health care for our veterans," Higgins said. "For Western New York, this bill ends the yearly struggle to ensure child care services remain at the Buffalo VA."
The
Veterans' Access to Child Care Act was introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley and co-sponsored by Higgins. The bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide child care to eligible veterans while they receive medical treatment and services. Under the bill, child care assistance can include on-site care at a VA facility, collaboration with an off-site facility or assistance with child care costs. Locally, it means the Kids Korner program is included in the baseline of the Veterans Administration budget.
Since its opening, Kids Korner has served thousands of children of Western New York veterans. In 2015 alone, 1378 children utilized Kids Korner at the Buffalo VA. Fifty-two percent of those taking part in the Kids Korner program were mothers/female veterans, and 12 percent of visitors were grandparent caregivers who are veterans.
Higgins also authored similar
legislation seeking a permanent solution to giving VA Medical Centers the authority to coordinate child care services for veterans receiving care.
The Veterans' Access to Child Care Act (H.R. 95) will now go to the Senate for consideration and approval.
