Citizens'​ Committee for Children of New York’s Post

The policy changes here have implications for systems that have coordinated funding to maximize access. These changes will have big impacts as other funding sources align themselves to the CCDBG rules. Looks like Louisiana’s big bet on payments by enrollment instead of attendance has been validated by the feds.

Since 1991, the cost of child care has risen at a rate of 2x that of overall inflation. With pandemic funding programs coming to an end States are scrambling to find funds to support working families. This is a fascinating report put out by The Century Foundation on the current state of child care in the US. We have a lot of work to do. #childcare https://lnkd.in/eqcNjaZK

You may have caught this article today discussing a proposal for legislation that requires services to enter into partnerships with centers. While on its face, it's a great idea, underneath, we are still missing the point. Child care centers are traditional care. Military families need non-traditional care. There is a place for centers, absolutely. I use centers, many families use centers. The gap is the before and after care. The hourly care. The care for children with disabilities. The affordable care. The care that takes place in the family's home because they need to report at 0300, and you can't get kids up that early every day. Transportation to and from care. Care while you are pending waitlists. Sick child care. Low staffing care. Care for two full weeks while on TDY so your children can stay in their schools. Legislation is needed, but it needs to be created with the input of families. I have 58 families in the The Operation Child Care Project case management right now that will not have their problem solved with a center. It is 2024, put family voices at the table. https://lnkd.in/g-s3KshE

It's a continuing dilemma: While many families struggle with the cost of child care, providers often grapple with having enough funds to meet expenses and pay staff adequately. A Wilder Research, Minnesota Dept. of Education, and Minnesota Dept. of Human Services survey of early childhood educators found that despite being employed, 16% of the workforce is living below 200% of the federal poverty level (21% of those living in greater Minnesota) and 15% rely on public benefits, primarily Medical Assistance. New investments are being made to develop ways to pay early childhood educators a living wage. Read the survey report for more: https://bit.ly/49X9m7c https://bit.ly/430TwWN #MNchildcare

In this summary of the RAPID special report, What Caregivers Want Policymakers to Know, First Five Years Fund writes that parents and child care providers want elected officials to know that families are struggling, and the time to act is now. Improving the accessibility and affordability of high-quality child care can be achieved through increased government investment, and sustained policies aimed at improving families’ health and well-being would advance child development. It is critical that elected officials enact change to support families, early learners, and child care providers. https://lnkd.in/g4i8MK6e

The $10aDay child care program in British Columbia is a testament to the province's commitment to supporting families. The recent poll conducted by the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC and Research Co. (https://lnkd.in/dJJSWS3R) reveals a strong public endorsement, with a significant majority of British Columbians advocating for the continuation and acceleration of this initiative. As we navigate the post-pandemic era, the need for flexible child care that accommodates diverse work schedules is clear. The impact of $10aDay is evident, touching lives across the province, especially among young families and the 18–34 demographic. The findings underscore the urgency of expanding access and reducing wait times, ensuring that every family in BC can benefit from affordable child care. This is more than a policy—it's about shaping a future where all children have the best start in life, and parents can pursue their careers with the assurance that their children are in good hands. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/dTKeaFwS #ChildCare #FamilySupport #BritishColumbia #10aDay

#ece #policy nerds are rejoicing as the final rules for CCDBG (child care subsidy funding) are released. I'm still digging in, but here are the big changes to note on first glance: 1) Co-payments for families can be no more than 7% of their income 2) It will be easier for states to waive co-payments for many families including those at or below 150% of FPL, families who have children with disabilities, families experiencing homelessness, and families who have children in Head Start. 3) States will be required to pay providers in advance and based on enrollment 4) States will be required to use some grants and contracts to support underserved geographic areas, infants and toddlers, and children with disabilities 5) Clarifies that States can pay providers at a rate above the rate they are charging private-pay families 6) Parameters for presumptive eligibility are included to help families enroll in care before their qualification process is complete. Overall, this means lower costs and easier access for families and more financial stability for providers. https://lnkd.in/epfAs-Rg

More than 14.4 million—67.8 percent—of children in the U.S. have all available parents in the workforce. But a dire lack of access to affordable, high-quality child care often forces families to make difficult decisions between working or caring for their children. This recent overview from the Center for American Progress highlights how several states are responding to the end of COVID-19 pandemic funding from the U.S. government. While many states have passed new legislation or identified new investments to bolster child care, North Carolina as a state is continuing to struggle. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eHD4HYiJ

Our children are precious. And so are the people who care for and educate them. So let's pay them like the professionals they are! Please join me in writing to Governor Hochul and your NYS legislators to make the proper investment in the child care workforce: https://lnkd.in/ep--a-Cr Right now the NYS child care workforce makes less than 96% of all NYS occupations.   Because of these low wages, many child care jobs go unfilled, leading to programs unable to enroll new children.   Caring for and educating our young children is not babysitting. It is demanding work, calling for skill and knowledge and patience. The people who do this important work, generally women and often women of color, should be compensated like the professionals that they are.   The Council's new Child Care Survey reveals that Westchester teachers in child care centers earn 44% less than entry-level kindergarten teachers.   The Governor proposes another one-time workforce recruitment and retention initiative, using unspent federal funding. This will not fix the child care staffing crisis.   Time to invest NYS $ in a permanent child care compensation fund that reflects the true value of these indispensable educators.  

New report examines the role municipalities can play in delivering child care. Child care is a necessity for millions of Canadian families, but has been hampered by the scarcity of cost-effective spaces. In 2021, the federal government made a budget commitment to provide parents with, on average, $10-a-day regulated child care spaces within the next five years. Soon after, it introduced the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program, implemented through federal–provincial/territorial multilateral agreements. With the notable exception of Ontario (and at one point Alberta), child care in Canada has not historically been delivered by municipalities. The CWELCC provides an opportunity for a significantly enhanced role for municipalities to increase access to quality child care as the order of government closest to those who are affected. The eighth report in the Who Does What series from the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG) and the Urban Policy Lab examines the role that municipalities can play in child care and their ability to fund, manage, and deliver child care in response to the increased demand. Martha Friendly reviews international precedents for federally funded and municipally managed and/or delivered child care with a view to learning from their experiences and considers the advantages that a heightened municipal role could play in strengthening Canada’s newest social program as it rolls out. Gordon Cleveland and Sue Colley investigate the roles and responsibilities of the different levels of government and how they will change in light of the CWELCC, with a focus on actions that Ontario will need to take over the next 20 years. Rachel Vickerson and Carolyn Ferns discuss how governments can play a role in addressing the dire need for early child care educators. Carley Holt proposes a roadmap for municipalities that brings stakeholders together to establish distinct approaches for their communities. #childcare #cwelcc #municipalities #canada #ontario #ece https://lnkd.in/g7B6EK8M