Child Care Leaders Honored at Statewide Conference

TROY, NY (06/12/2025) (readMedia)-- The Early Care & Learning Council (ECLC) held their statewide Annual Meeting and Luncheon on June 11, 2025 in Troy, NY to recognize the Child Care Resource Centers (CCRC) network's recent accomplishments and collective work to ensure high-quality early care and education across the state.

During the event, they recognized leaders in the state who embody the highest level of professional excellence, devote time and energy to improving the quality of life for the youngest citizens in their community, and recognize that investments in early care and education have short- and long-term benefits for our state, families, and the future workforce. This year the Council's leadership awards were presented to outstanding contributors to the state's child care ecosystem – an individual and a business.

CCRC Leadership Award

KATHY HALAS: Recognized for a career dedicated to human services policy leadership and caring for people in the community, from the youngest to the eldest.

Halas served as executive director of the Child Care Council of Westchester for over 20 years, stepping down in December 2024. Prior to that she was deputy director of the Supportive Housing Network, vice president of shelter operations at Westhab, and director of the St. Bernard's Center for Learning, a Head Start program operated by WESTcop. Earlier in her career, Halas worked in the fields of developmental disabilities, community mental health and gerontology.

Excellence in Business Award

CONSTELLATION: Honored for their generous investment in the child care system and their support of local communities and workforce development initiatives.

The nation's largest producer of carbon-free energy and Oswego County's largest private employer, Constellation provided seed funding of $100,000 to the Oswego County Child Care Investment Fund, a public-private partnership aimed at increasing local child care capacity and strengthening the region's workforce. The donation was the catalyst to meet with other stakeholders and businesses to launch the Fund. One of the CCRCs, Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Inc., partnered with Operation Oswego County, Oswego County Workforce NY, and the Greater Oswego Fulton Chamber of Commerce to address the growing gap in child care affordability and capacity.

"This year's honorees exemplify deep commitment to strengthening the child care system on two opposite ends of the state," said ECLC Executive Director Meredith Chimento. "Through their generosity of spirit, time, and financial investment, they have led by example to move the needle for New York's families and employers alike."

The event's keynote address was delivered by Aaron Merchen, executive director for policy & programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, who underscored the role of child care in economic growth and workforce stability.

With businesses across the state struggling to fill positions, access to affordable, reliable child care remains a critical factor for working families. The ECLC Annual Meeting convenes decision-makers from state agencies, CCRCs, employers, and advocacy organizations to share solutions, spotlight innovation, and advance partnerships that place child care at the heart of workforce strategy.

About ECLC:

Early Care & Learning Council is the coordinating agency for New York's network of Child Care Resource Centers (CCRCs). ECLC champions high-quality, affordable, accessible, and equitable child care and early education through training, innovative curricula and professional development, and advocacy. earlycareandlearning.org