COVER STORY: Queens Day in Albany........11

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

created good-paying union jobs, employed a strong and diverse workforce, generated muchneeded revenue for local schools, supported local nonprofit organizations, and generated economic activity which continues to support local small businesses.

Members of the Chamber said that granting RWNYC one of the three remaining casino licenses would allow them to double their workforce by adding over 1,000 union jobs and doing even more to support the local community.

“It was wonderful to have Queens come to Albany to share our great diversity and talents with everyone in New York State,” Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan said. “I enjoyed tasting all the food from our district, particularly the threegeneration female-owned restaurant, Ricas Pupusas & Mas, as well as meeting small business owners from across Queens. I am very appreciative that I was honored with my Queens colleagues.”

Nolan, whose district represents the Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Astoria, Long Island City, and Maspeth neighborhoods in Queens, announced earlier this year that she plans to retire after her current term expires this year. She has been a state representative for the district since 1985.

“Queens Day in Albany 2022 was a complete success,” said Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman said. “I was so glad to welcome the best county in the state to our capital once again to showcase our small businesses, culture, food, and customs.”

Hyndman was elected to the State House in 2015 and serves as a representative of the 29th district, which encompasses the Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, and Jamaica communities.

“If you want to experience the cultural diversity of our borough, look no further than the small businesses and restaurants that enrich our neighborhoods. I was privileged to sponsor the Senate resolution celebrating Queens Day in New York State. We appreciate the efforts of the Queens Chamber of Commerce as they assist small businesses,” State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said.

Stavisky became the first woman from Queens to be elected to the Senate in 1999 and currently serves as Chairperson of the State Senate Committee on Higher Education.

New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. meets with members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce during Albany Day in Queens. (Photos: Dominick Totino)

Members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce celebrate Queens Day in Albany.

Outgoing NYS Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan celebrates her retirement with Queens legislators and members of the Chamber of Commerce.

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS A New Vision for Child Care

PS Family Is Changing The Way We Think About In Home Child Care

BY GABRIELLE NAPOLITANO

Families with children under 3 and in-home child care providers in Queens have a new family child care network dedicated to supporting their needs.

Meet PS Family NYC (Program Support LLC), a progressive relationship based program with a hands-on approach to working with family child care providers. PS Family is transforming traditional childcare.

This boutique network tailors its services to meet the needs of the providers and families they serve. Features and benefits of the network include:

• One on one support navigating the affiliation process for existing childcare businesses • Help with expanding or opening new childcare programs • Staff Learning • Enrollment assistance for families applying for free and low-cost childcare • Financial assistance for families • Materials for child care programs • Guidance for parents who need financial assistance • Coaching for individuals, staff, and owners • Workshops and more

PS Family is one of 35 networks that were awarded contracts to supervise family child care providers in Brooklyn and Queens.

Networks ensure that providers are trained in best practices, verify parent payment eligibility, and adhere to all DOE guidelines. PS Family offers all this and more.

The providers affiliated with PS Family use the Let’s Play Curriculum, offer yoga, and many are Spanish speaking, along with many other learning opportunities.

PS Family enhances providers offerings with free public workshops and training, like a 10 month CDA course offered to all PS Family network providers at no cost.

PS Family hosts a series of free Raising Peaceful Children workshops focusing on raising children without violence. All PS Family events are offered in Spanish and English.

PS Family was brought together by veteran educator, Emelie Gay, with a vision to help in-home child care providers offer quality services and navigate new and ever changing DOE covid requirements, while being an integral part of the community to help children flourish.

Emilie Gay started her educational career as a preschool teacher and has been working in early childhood education for nearly thirty years.

Working as an early childhood quality improvement specialist for CUNY research foundation: QUALITYstarsNY, Emilie supported early childhood programs as a consultant.

To promote the development of young children through arts and education initiatives, Emilie created a community based organization, The Pistachio and Flourishing projects.

A graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu Hawaii, Emilie has a Masters in Education and is the recipient of the Brooklyn council of the arts regrant. She is also currently a NAEYC Legacy Leadership fellow

For information about PS Family and all that we offer, please check out our website https://psfamilynyc.org.

(Photo: Maria Molina, childcare provider) Gabrielle Napolitano is the creative marketing manager with PS Family.