Provider’s Choice checks in the mail

Provider’s Choice checks for $150 will be in the mail for 10,000 providers in the next two weeks. Funds must only be used for supplies to improve home-based day-care providers’ programs.

The 10,000 is more than triple the 3,300 providers in the lowest income areas of the city who received Choice checks last year through a lottery. Provider’s Choice was established by the City Council and modeled on the Teacher’s Choice program. This year all licensed providers, except those who received checks last year but did not return receipts, will receive checks. Informal providers will be chosen by lottery.

The breakdown by borough for licensed and license exempt (informal) providers who will receive checks is : Queens - 1,400; Manhattan - 1,480; Staten Island - 260; Bronx - 3,590 and Brooklyn - 3,240.