NY's Gillibrand seeks fund release for day cares

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says New York has been unable to spend nearly $97 million in federal stimulus dollars allocated for day care centers because a federal agency has not issued adequate guidelines on how to spend it.

The Democrat asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a letter to take quick action so the money can be spent.

The affected day cares fall under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, which was designed to help low-income families receive day care. Gillibrand says the day cares are counting on the money and need it for staffing and in other areas.

Some states have already started spending the funding.