Texas Association for the Education of Young Children’s Post

New Blog Post Alert! As Washington grapples with a growing child care crisis, voters are demanding action. With soaring costs and limited access to care, families are struggling, and the need for bold, immediate investment has never been clearer. Recent polling shows a strong majority of Washington voters support significant reforms to make child care more affordable and accessible. We're proud to partner with Child Care Aware of Washington to ensure families have the tools they need to access affordable, quality child care.  We appreciate all they do to support families through this crisis. Dive into our latest post to learn more about the current landscape and what reforms are on the table: https://lnkd.in/gFhU_DHf

Did you know that the Dependent Care FSA limit of $5,000 has not been changed since it was created in 1986?(1) If adjusted for inflation, that would be $13,900 in 2024. A great start would be for Congress to update the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account rules and index it to inflation. In 2022 the average cost of childcare was $14,768. Childcare is considered affordable by the US Department of Health and Human Services when it is "no more than seven percent of a family's income."(2) In 2022 US Family Households had a median income of $95K. Married-couple Families were higher at $115K, and "female-householder, no spouse present" families had a median income of $55K.(3) Sourcing: (1) https://lnkd.in/eUvVZQF4 (2) https://lnkd.in/eQKxmwre (3) https://lnkd.in/erZWYZev

Should the government do more to help children? This bipartisan group thinks so. The challenges facing families with young children are legion. From affording the costly basics — like diapers, clothes and food — to the exhausting search for high-quality, reasonably priced child care, parents and caregivers have their hands full. And it's hard to imagine government, as polarized as it is, agreeing on anything that might help. And yet. A new report suggests there are bold moves that folks across the political spectrum can agree on. The report is... https://lnkd.in/dzYFPGEz

It’s a big week, and we want the most important issues discussed on Thursday. Learn more about childcare affordability and why it matters to you and your clients during the debate!

North Carolinians work best for each other when the infrastructure is on their side. Proactive economic development policy is a multifaceted process with many layered working parts:

Child care remains unaffordable for many, with costs taking up significant portions of family incomes. We must tackle these barriers head-on and uproot systemic inequities in the #PathForward. It's time to invest in an accessible and inclusive child care system: https://brnw.ch/21wMo69

This Election Day, let's remember how crucial child care is in making sure every parent's voice can be heard! 🗳 Even with early voting and later poll times, many parents face barriers to casting their vote. Did you know? 📊67% of children under age 6 have all parents in the workforce, making reliable child care essential for parents to vote. 📊 1 in 3 parents report job changes due to child care challenges, which can impact their ability to make it to the polls.  89% of voters want candidates to support affordable child care plans, linking it directly to a stronger economy. In partnership with Politisit, Bumo (On-Demand Child Care), Smart Sitting, The Care Gap (by Mother Honestly), and Mother Honestly are working together to offer Free child care and resources for Free child care on Election Day. Go to https://lnkd.in/eRaJC42Q, book the child care you need and VOTE! 

Demand that CNN ask the candidates about child care at the presidential debate The extreme cost of child care is crushing moms all over the country. Child care for two children costs more than rent in every U.S. state. 50% of Americans live in child care deserts. And 59% of parents with young kids have been forced to reduce their work hours or quit their jobs due to the exorbitant expenses of child care. Moms First is fighting to bring child care to the forefront of the upcoming presidential debate hosted by CNN on June 27 — and we need YOUR help to make it happen. Sign the petition to demand that CNN bring attention to the escalating child care crisis during the upcoming presidential debate. It’s time for our leaders to make bold commitments to moms across the country, and fixing the broken child care system is just the beginning. This is our moment for moms to be heard, and we need you to raise your voice. https://lnkd.in/eM24hBZX

Our friends at Moms First are mobilizing communities to Get Child Care on the Record! Child care now costs more than rent in all 50 states, and struggling caregivers deserve action. This election season, candidates up and down the ballot (regardless of party) must not only prioritize bold, transformative solutions to the childcare crisis — but also commit to making them happen. The mission is simple: Collectively raise our voices to ask candidates the crucial question, “Will you prioritize child care in your first 100 days in office?” If we’re going to fix our broken child care system, we need leaders who are ready to find and enact solutions. Get involved to #GetChildCareontheRecord: https://lnkd.in/eUcADmyF

Iowa’s Child Care Connect dashboards provide data-based insights into the accessibility of child care services. These dashboards serve to inform policymakers and community leaders in determining new strategies to further improve the child care forces. Learn more https://buff.ly/3YFYwQc