Amanda Fries is reporting for Capitol Confidential New York is allocating $65 million in federal CARES Act funding for child care providers to help bring closed programs back to operation as families emerge from the lockdown. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced $20 million will be used to help child care programs develop a social distancing model and pay for supplies and activities associated with reopening and expanding services. An additional $45 million will be use to pay for 50 percent of the costs for newly opened classrooms. The Reopening and Expansion Incentive fund will provide grants up to $6,000 as an incentive to open classrooms. Although 65 percent of all state-licensed and registered child-care programs remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic to provide services for essential workers, many have had to reduce classrooms and programs or closed all together because of the low demand for services as families kept their children home. To be eligible for the funds, child-care programs must have either been closed as of June 15, and have a plan to reopen within two weeks of applying, or currently operating below their licensed capacity and looking to expand. The deadline to apply for this funding through the state Office of Children and Family Services is July 15. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.