January 30
Today is the deadline for Congress to fund the federal government, including funding for important child care and early learning programs that families rely on. Here’s the latest:
- The Senate struck an initial deal to pass 5 spending bills that would fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year (including child care and early learning programs) along with a stopgap measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security for 2 weeks while negotiations continue. The vote, initially scheduled for yesterday, hit a snag last night, leaving passage up in the air.
- New national polling from FFYF shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents.
- Working parents in every industry face child care challenges – teachers are no exception. Rising costs and fewer federal resources for child care present professional obstacles for teachers with young kids.
- Check here for updates on how the appropriations process is playing out for child care and early learning funding.
- Rural communities are getting creative when it comes to child care solutions in areas where access and opportunity are lacking.
Bookmark our News and Resources page to check back for more updates and stay up to date on the latest child care and early learning news.
January 23
Congress got one step closer to funding increases for child care and early learning this week as the funding deadline at the end of the month looms closer. We have additional information on appropriations progress and more in today’s Friday Five.
- The House of Representatives released a Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations package that includes funding increases for federal early learning and care programs.
- The RAPID Survey Project at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood found in a recent study that U.S. parents across all income levels have trouble finding, and affording, child care for their children.
- Reported by CBS News, recent analysis demonstrates the steep financial burden of child care in the U.S. for working parents.
- The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing last week to highlight the role employers can play in supporting access to child care.
- Governor Ivey of Alabama announced the state received a $3.8 million federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five to support continued efforts to strengthen and align the early childhood education system.
Subscribe to First Look and our weekly newsletter, FFYF Insider to stay in-the-know as things on Capitol Hill will progress quickly over the next week.
January 16
This was another busy week for child care as we head closer to the Congressional funding deadline at the end of the month. The resources and stories below will give you the tools and information you need to stay informed on all things child care and early learning.
- For the next 6 days we are taking action by telling Congress to protect and prioritize child care investments during the Appropriations process. Join us using this toolkit!
- New research reported in The Washington Post shows 1 in 5 families face child care hardships because of child care expenses, with single mothers most affected.
- First Five Years Fund and our partners recently hosted an advocacy webinar underscoring why now is the time to speak up for child care.
- In Vermont, the federal Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5) will help strengthen the state’s child care and pre-K programs, among other early childhood services.
- FFYF and 50 other national organizations issued a joint statement to emphasize the urgent need to ensure that federal child care resources continue to reach eligible families with young children, while maintaining active oversight and accountability.
Be sure to follow us on social media using the links at the bottom of this page to stay tuned for more ways to get involved over the coming weeks.
You must be logged in to post a comment.